Valley of a Thousand Hills

The Thousand Hills experience is to KwaZulu-Natal what the Garden Route is to the Cape. It is an area of great peace and tranquillity, affirmed by the fact that, many artists have taken up residence in the region.

The Valley of a Thousand Hills forms around the twisting path of Umgeni River. Although the rolling hills are now peaceful, the history of the area is one of intense bloodshed and warfare.

Shaka made his mark here when he became king of the Zulu people in 1816 and started out on his path of conquest. His armies overwhelmed the Debe Clans Folk of the region, ruthlessly killing those who would not bow to his authority.

In the early 1800s, English settlers arrived in Durban, which was then known as Port Natal. They needed a dependable route for inland journeys and the Valley of a Thousand Hills was the first overnight stop along this route, and the settlers took the opportunity to rest their ox-wagons there! One can still experience what it must have been like to travel this route. 'The Thousand Hills Choo-Choo', a steam-driven train that follows the tracks laid down by these pioneers, still travels between Kloof and Cato Ridge.

Nowadays, the road is used for a long and tiresome journey of a different kind. The twisted stretch of road that cuts through the dramatic landscape is the halfway point of the world famous Comrades Marathon. The valley is the meeting point of the Umgeni and Msunduzi Rivers, making it a place of unrivalled natural beauty. The Umgeni flows all the way from the Drakensberg, to the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

This region is also famous for its deep and complex culture and history. The Province was once the homeland of powerful Zulu  tribes and villages. When the Boers and the British were vying for territory, though, there were many bloody battles. Today, the     battlefields serve as reminders of the exorbitant price once paid for such magnificent territory. These can be visited on battlefield tours, and the museums in the area are a fascinating addition to any Historical tour.
There are many cultural villages that still occupy parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Visiting these villages means getting a sneak-peek into the traditional lives of the local African people. See their huts, visit their medicine men, taste their traditional food, enjoy song and dance performances, and meet with the people that call this home to have a real glimpse of the South African experience.

Of course, an area this spectacular is just begging to be explored. So, take advantage of the many walking, hiking, running and cycling trails through the valley. The mountains are excellent for rock climbing, abseiling, and heading out on 4 x 4 adventures.

The Valley of 1 000 Hills is well-equipped with hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, and other accommodation. It has an excellent infrastructure so that visitors from all over the world are assured of quality and convenience amidst the beauty. The King Shaka International Airport is within a short drive from many of the attractions in the area.