Jan

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Pietermaritzburg Travel Guide

January 7, 2008 |

A trip to Pietermartizburg
Located in KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, Pietermartizburg is more commonly known as Martizburg. This vibrant African city is in fact one of the best-preserved Victorian cities in the world, characterised by beautiful colonial buildings and surrounded by lush greenery. Here visitors can enjoy the outdoor life, as well as cultural and historical events. As a gateway between Johannesburg and Durban, Pietermartizburg has one airport, called Oribi Airport.

Flights to Pietermartizburg
Pietermartizburg’s Oribi Airport is not an international airport, but instead a hub connecting Johannesburg and Durban. The airport has numerous domestic destinations on offer, but no international connections. However, Johannesburg International Airport is only a one hour flight away and Durban’s port is just 40 minutes by car from Pietermartizburg. Most international travellers arrive in Pietermartizburg via Durban or Johannesburg.

Although public transport such as buses and trains are available in Pietermartizburg, taxis are the best way to get around. Metered taxis are abundant and can be hired for daytrips as well. Oribi Airport is less than six miles from Pietermartizburg city centre.

Sightseeing in Pietermartizburg
Pietermartizburg has something on offer for every visitor. Butterflies for Africa boasts a huge butterfly house that is home to hundreds of local species. The Natal Museum is the largest museum in KwaZulu-Natal and showcases the history and culture of the region. The Botanical Gardens are also a local favourite, and date back to 1870. The imposing City Hall is considered to be the largest brick building in the southern hemisphere.

After a long day of sightseeing or safari, visitors should visit the Golden Horse Casino. With over 400 slot machines and 18 gaming tables, this is the ultimate gambling experience. Even if you are not a gambler, the Pegasus statue alone will amaze you. At roughly 14 metres long, it is the largest equine statue in the world.

Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Pietermartizburg has an amazing array of restaurants and bars to choose from. Visitors can enjoy exotic ethnic foods as well as traditional western cuisine, such as Italian or Spanish dishes. International cuisine is also well-represented, with Thai and Chinese restaurants, as well as British-style pubs.

The city is laid-out in a nice geometric style, with streets at right angles. This makes the city easy to navigate and difficult for visitors to get lost in. Most of the main restaurants and bars are located on Commercial road, between Longmarket and Loop streets. The Golden Horse Casino is located at Scottsville Racecourse, just west of the city centre. The casino offers an excellent range of dining opportunities, from elegant Italian to casual Indian cuisine.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
There is plenty of shopping and outdoor activity to be had in Pietermartizburg. The Liberty Midlands Mall is the main shopping centre and offers a range of local and international goods. Pietermartizburg is well known for its high-quality crafts and the city’s craft markets are well worth a visit. The Oval Craft Market is held the first Sunday of every month and is considered to be one of the best in South Africa and is where many beautiful African crafts can be found.

Many outdoor activities are available, including cycling, fishing, bowling, paragliding, kayaking and cricket. However, most visitors opt for a visit into the African bush instead. Albert Falls Resources Reserve offers visitors the chance to see giraffe, kudu, rhinos and many more animals in their natural habitats.


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