Welcome to the Zulu Kingdom, KwaZulu-Natal

Routes and Meanders

zoom Midland Meander Art & craft Photo:uMgungundlovu District Municipality

The warm heart of KZN boasts one of the most well-known and well-loved meanders in the country - the Midlands Meander. A collection of individual concerns, the Midlands Meander started up in 1985 with a tiny number of crafters who pooled their talents and began to put the Meander on the map. Today the Midlands Meander is a self-drive route which starts roughly near Pietermaritzburg at about Hilton, meanders along several country roads and lanes to just north of Mooi River and includes some 134 members. There are four 'tours', each colour-coded with road markers to help direct the traveller. Included on the tours are arts, crafts, accommodation establishments, monuments, potteries, restaurants, farms, antiques, and a host of other discoveries to explore. Take your time - you will never manage to see it all in a day, or even a weekend.

That's not all - there are a dozen more meanders to choose from, routes to entertain and delight at each turn of the road.

The Amble:The Amble is a tourism route which covers a large area to the north east of Pietermaritzburg. The Route Incorporates - Albert Falls, Bishopstowe, Cramond,York,New Hanover, Dalton, Wartburg, Fawnleas And Hartburg Telephone: (033) 569 0010/569 1202

Beer or Brew Route: KwaZulu-Natal's new Brew or Beer Route takes visitors to the less known Midlands, Battlefields and Zululand area of KwaZulu-Natal and charming, personally run micro breweries.

Battlefields Route:A route which starts in Estcourt in the south and winds north through Winterton, Colenso and Ladysmith to Newcastle and Volksrust and eastward to Utrecht, Glencoe, Dundee, Nqutu, Paulpietersburg, Vryheid, Babanango, Ulundi, Eshowe and Greytown. Telephone: 082 802 1643

Boston- Bulwer Beat: The Boston Bulwer Beat links Boston, Bulwer and part of Dargle - situated on the R617 in the Natal Midlands, just over an hours drive from Durban. It is located in the foothills of the mighty Drakensberg mountains, amidst rolling hills, lush forests and tranquil dams and lakes, this is the ideal venue, not only for those seeking peace and quiet and good country fare, but for those who are more energetic as well. We offer abundance of walking, hiking, trout and bass fishing, birding, as well as several craft outlets throughout the area. Accommodation includes high quality country hotels, guest houses and guest farms, self catering cottages and B&B establishments. A tourism route which allows you to 'savour' the farm produce and home produced crafts of the area . Overnight accommodation ranges from luxurious to cosy country comfort.Telephone: (033)9970687

Bushmans Experience: The Bushmans Experience a route which is designed to enable you to enjoy the diversity of of an exciting slice of Africa - the giants castle area of the Drakensberg, the battlefields in and around Estcourt and the Thukela Biosphere. Eco and adventure activities include hiking, abseiling, kayaking, horseriding, 4x4 trails, game viewing, golf, white river rafting, adventure and leadership courses. Telephone: (036) 352 6253

Drakensberg Meander: A tourism route which introduces you to the splendour of the Northern & Central Drakensberg regions of Kwazulu-Natal. Telephone: 036 4681314

The Hilton Meander


Rainbow Route: A journey of discovery from Gauteng and Mpumalanga to the coast of KwaZulu-Natal, which follows the Paulpietersburg, Vryheid, Ulundi, Melmoth, Eshowe, Mtunzini R34 Road. Telephone: (034) 982 2133

Sakubula Circuit:A circuitous route embracing Thornville, Baynesfield, Umlaas Road, Eston, Rchmond and Byre offering a world of country attractions, B&B, game reserves,hiking,4x4,edible products,garments,farm stalls and more. Telephone: (031) 785 1017/0828003809

Southern Drakensberg-Sani Saunter: A route which enables you to discover the magic of the Southern Drakensberg - arts,crafts, accommodation, 4x4 trails, trout fishing, splashy fen music festival, hiking trails, eco- tourism, bushman san paintings, Sani Pass,adventure trips. (033) 7011628.

Southern Explorer: A route designed to introduce you to the arts, crafts, accommodation facilities, restaurants and tourism attractions of the south coast of Kwazulu- Natal.

The Zululand Birding Route

Thousand Hills Experience: This route features Zulu cultural villages and stunning mountain vistas as a backdrop to a wealth of creative talent. Telephone:(031) 7651516


Tuzi Gazi Coastal Route: Richards Bay to Maputaland.

Zululand Zig Zag: Telephone:(035) 5620353 / 562 0966

For more information regarding these routes please complete a query form or search our database.

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