Area Profiles

Dundee The pretty little town of Dundee, which has managed to retain much of its aesthetic rustic appeal, lies in the valley of the magnificent BiggarsbergMountain range some 325 kilometres from Durban and only 30 minutes’ drive from the neighbouring towns of Ladysmith and Newcastle. Dundee was originally a farm owned by a Scotsman who named it after his hometown. The coal mining town of Dundee is situated in a valley of the Biggarsberg mountains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (28°10′S 30°14′E). It is part of the Endumeni Local Municipality, Umzinyathi District. At first, Dundee was a farm (Talana farm), a personal property to Peter...

Durban Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in the country, forming part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous as the busiest port in South Africa and is also a major centre of tourism because of the city's warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches. Voted as one of the top 10 family beach holiday cities in the world, Durban has a wide range of accommodation to suit everyone’s needs. With more than 100 kilometers of coastline, the eThekwini (Durban) region offers beaches for everybody's taste. Whether your ideal beach is bustling with activities or quiet...

Empangeni Empangeni is situated 150m above sea level in the heart of sugar cane country.  The subtropical climate makes Empangeni a perfect all year round holiday destination. Despite being a developing modern town, Empangeni has managed to maintain its original small town charm.  Visitors can expect to be treated to warm friendly  hospitality that is synonymous with Zululand. The local museum offers visitors a look at the history of the sugar pioneers who forged the path of development in Empangeni with the opening of the mill in 1911.  Other exhibits include Zulu cultural and contemporary art displays, including the Mthethwa...

Estcourt Estcourt is a town in the uThukela District of KwaZulu-Natal Province. The main economic activity is farming with large bacon and processed food factories situated around the town. Estcourt is situated 4 hours from Gauteng and 2 hours from Durban. It is 1196m above sea level and lies in the the Natal Midlands. The first recorded settlement in the Estcourt area was by the Voortrekkers who encamped on the banks of the Bushmans River. The negotiator, Piet Retief, and his party were murdered by Dingane where a memorial now stands. Today the town is a busy industrial and agricultural centre. It developed from being a market town serving the local...

Gillitts is about 35 km inland from the city centre at an elevation of 1800 feet above sea level. Although Durban is semi-tropical and very humid, Gillitts is above the humidity and is not humid, except when it is in the clouds, which generally occurs in summer. It is in the mist belt area, so this area gets a fair amount of mist which many of the residents complain about. It is positioned near the currently burgeoning Hillcrest and Kloof. The whole area is known as the Upper Highway Area as the M13 highway intersects it. While some residents do seem to complain about the mist, it does usually come as a welcome relief to the intense humidity of the area. Gillitts...

Glenwood Glenwood is one of Durban’s oldest suburbs that extends from its colonial-style mansions near the university down to lower-income Umbilo Road, recently popular because of its proximity to the Durban central business district. Glenwood has entered an era of suburban revival mostly due to the hive of activity evident on Davenport, Bulwer and Ferguson Roads. Davenport Road in particular has benefited from the restoration of old Victorian style houses into trendy eateries and boutiques, and looks set to rival Florida Road, although comparing them with Melville in Johannesburg is probably closer to the mark. Glenwood has a neighbourly vibe...

Greytown Greytown, named after the governor of the Cape Colony Sir George Edward Grey who later became Premier of New Zealand, is a town situated on the banks of a tributary of the Umvoti River in a richly fertile timber-producing area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Often referred to as the ‘jewel of KwaZulu Natal, Greytown lies in the forest-clad, rolling hills of the Natal Midlands, a picturesque little town originally settled during the 1850s and subsequently awash with buildings of note, scenic drives and Boer history. The final resting place of Sarie Marais is at Greytown. Sarie was a legendary Voortrekker woman who died, aged 37, with the...

Nestled in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, Hillcrest has a slightly cooler and less humid climate than other parts of Durban. It's a family-friendly suburb, with many private schools, parks and kid-friendly restaurants.   Estate living is very common, with many estates boasting well-kept golf courses. Built amongst rolling hills, houses have magnificent views of the valley and lush, surrounding hills.   Just 30 minutes from Durban city centre, Hillcrests is away from the hustle and bustle. The area has a great sense of community, and a mix of country and cosmopolitan.  FUN THINGS TO DO: Springside Nature Reserve - A wilderness wonder right on...

Waterfall is situated in the affluent suburb of Hillcrest. The community that live in Waterfall enjoy a quiet lifestyle and in some cases it feels like you are living in the country. The Waterfall area dates back to around 1851 and was then registered as a farm - called Lanefontein. The dinkleman family had a singificant role to play in the development of early waterfall. Schools in the area include Waaterfall College, Clifton Hill Nursery School, King George Academy, Forest View Primary Scholl and Waterfall Pre-Primary. Busamed Private Hospital is in the Hillcrest area. King Shaka Internation airport is a mere 40kms away. Waterfall boasts shopping...

Howick Howick is a town located in the uMgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The town is 1050 m above sea level, and about 88 kilometres from the port city of Durban. It enjoys warm summers and cool dry winters. A snappy chill descends upon Howick when snow falls on the nearby Drakensberg. The town is located on the N3 freeway, connecting it with the rest of South Africa. Howick is in the heart of the uMngeni Municipal region and hub of the Midlands. It is known as the place of many waterfalls for it is here that the uMngeni River and its tributaries tumble down gorges and over precipices on a journey to the Indian Ocean. The town is the...