Valley of 1000 Hills Accommodation Association

The pristine beauty and soothing tranquility of the Valley of a Thousand Hills has always wooed artists and crafters. The new 1000 Hills Experience Route features Zulu Cultural villages and stunning mountain vistas as the backdrop to a wealth of creative talent. This fascinating tourist experience, which follows the famous Comrades Marathon Route, is all about rolling hills, valleys, gorges, forests, rivers and scenic dams.

This is where rural Africa links arms gently with urban living. Nature reserves fringe on vibrant villages and leafy towns where specialist book, decor, and bric-a-brac stores jostle with coffee shops and boutiques in village malls and markets. Off shoots of the route take travellers through the Krantzkloof Gorge and Inanda Dam, to the scenic Shongweni dam and Game Park and along a beautiful Valley which follows the course of the Umgeni River and the annual Duzi Canoe Marathon to Isithumba Village where visitors are invited into rural homes to experience a day in the life of the Zulu families living there.

The 1000 Hills Experience embodies all the curiosities of a changing society - from colonial buildings and English pastures to the relentless drumbeat of the real Africa. Enjoy magical views over the Valley of a Thousand Hills, visit curio stalls, quaint old stations now used as pubs and tea gardens and watch acclaimed crafters at work. Rest overnight at gracious hotels and guest houses and dine in fine restaurants set alongside rivers and trees.

In days gone by, wagons would travel along the spine of the Valley of a Thousand Hills which was the main road into the hinterland from Durban. Visitors can recapture the feeling of yesteryear by travelling the 1000 Hills Choo Choo Steam Train while adventurous travellers can view the stunning scenery from a microlight aircraft or go horse riding through the valley. Also on offer are boat cruises on dams, four wheel drive trips in the valley, river paddling and scuba diving.

No matter who you are, a drive through the 1000 Hills is a slow, soothing massage of the soul.

Tandem Paragliding/Hang Gliding
	Valley of 1000 Hills is the perfect place to experience the thrill of tandem paragliding or hang gliding, enjoying magnificent scenery, on a flight lasting up to 30 minutes.

Zulu Culture Tour
	Situated 35km from Durban, with views over the Valley of a Thousand Hills, this traditional Zulu village has Zulu dancing, curios and a restaurant serving traditional Zulu cuisine. There is also a collection of snakes and crocodiles.

Steam Train
	Enjoy a nostalgic steam train journey with spectacular views, travelling along a line built between 1877 and 1880. The train runs on the last Sunday of each month.

Equestrian Events
	Watch some fantastic equestian events or take part in Polo matches at Shongweni Club & Polo.

Golf
	Test your handicap by enjoying a round of golf at either Camelot Golf Course or Kloof Golf Course.

Water Sports
	Join hands with nature at the water's edge by having a relaxing day's fishing or float into harmony either by sailing or canoeing at either the Shongweni or Inanda Dams.

Hiking & Birding
	For the adventurous type, why not go on an exploration of Kranzkloof, Shongweni Nature Reserve and into the valley from Phezulu Safari Park on hiking trails where birding is at its best.

Horse Riding Trails
	Horse riding enthusiasts can enjoy exploring the Shongweni Nature Reserve horse trails while viewing some of the stunning wildlife.

Canopy Tours & Abseiling
	You can enjoy a thrilling abseil down a 54-metre waterfall deep in the Karkloof Nature Reserve. Anyone can abseil and you need no previous experience. An expert team looks after you while you look at the spectacular view of the Karkloof valley.