There are many wonderful places to visit in South Africa. But whilst most tourists head to Cape Town and Johannesburg, there is another gem that should find its way onto your itinerary: Pietermaritzburg.

Pietermaritzburg is the second-biggest city and the capital of KwaZulu-Natal province, and is often referred to as Maritzburg or PMB. It is located between Johannesburg and Durban; if you’re travelling between the two cities then it is a great place to stop off for a few days.

Established in 1838 and well known for its historical features, it is considered to be one of the best-preserved Victorian cities anywhere in the world. Surrounded by beautiful countryside, it contains an interesting mix of people making it one of the most vibrant cities in South Africa. With the Msunduzi River flowing through the centre, it is extremely picturesque as well.

So what are the main attractions of Pietermaritzburg?

The Gardens
The spectacular gardens have to be one of the main highlights for many visitors. Known as the ‘City of Flowers’, Pietermaritzburg lives up to its namesake with a large number of public and private gardens. With colour and variety all around, you could easily spend a day exploring them.

The best of the lot is surely the National Botanic Gardens. One of only eight in South Africa, the gardens were established in 1870. They are home to endangered and rare plants and over 100 species of birds. They are open throughout the year and guided tours are available.

Other options include Wylie Park with its delightful landscaped gardens and a trail that leads up to World’s View for an amazing panorama over the city. Or for those who don’t mind a short drive out of the city, they can visit Queen Elizabeth Park and take a self-guided trail.

Nature Reserves
Pietermaritzburg is situated very near to KwaZulu-Natal’s game reserves, making it an ideal location to stay if you want to go on a safari in South Africa. Surrounded by countryside, you will have easy access to numerous reserves and game parks where you’ll be able to see many of the best animals in the country.

The four main parks nearest to Pietermaritzburg are Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, the Lion Park, Tala Game Reserve (a 20-minute drive away) and Albert Falls Nature Reserve (about 30 minutes away).

Museums
There are plenty of museums of interest for those wanting to find out a bit more about the history of Pietermaritzburg. The Natal Museum celebrates over a century of the heritage of South Africa through objects of cultural significance, and art fans should also visit the Tatham Art Gallery, one of the main art museums in South Africa. Amongst other things you will find a collection of early 20th-century paintings by English and French artists, including works by Picasso, Renoir and Matisse.

Take a Tour of Pietermaritzburg
If you can’t decide what to see in Pietermaritzburg, the best thing to do is take a tour. Visit the historical centre, the numerous national monuments, the city wall and the Gandhi statue outside the Colonial Building. There are also lots of monthly markets for arts, crafts and food if you are there at the right time. So visit Pietermaritzburg and enjoy one of the most exciting cities in South Africa.

Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made South Africa holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury South Africa holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.

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