Page 14 - KZN Business Sense 7.3 Hameed Noormahomed-EBOOK

UNSPOILT KZN MIDLANDS

OOZES BREATH-TAKING

SCENERY AND CHARMING

HOSPITALITY VENUES

lan Paton, the South Ayanda Nyandeni, tour guide or get cosy in the lounge area next
African anti-Apartheid at the Nelson Mandela Capture to the fireplace.”
Aactivist and author wrote Site, said, “After a year of
in his acclaimed novel Cry, pandemic-induced lockdowns, “We also offer group bookings
the Beloved Country: “There people are looking to travel for those interested in hosting a
is a lovely road that runs from again. I am so excited that private dinner event. Whether
Ixopo into the hills. These hills leisure tourism is coming back it’s a business luncheon, a
Scenic views abound along the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Meander are grass-covered and rolling, with a bang. While natural casual dinner or a celebration
and they are lovely beyond any beauty abounds in the KZN event, our goal is to make every
singing of it….if there is no mist, Midlands, people who are meal a memorable experience.”
you look down on one of the looking to travel this winter For nature enthusiast and
fairest valleys of Africa.” holidays will also be well- adventure seekers, Karkloof

Paton’s description of the advised to also take in some Canopy Tour, situated in
picturesque landscape was history linked to our nation’s a spectacular valley of the
penned more than 70 years ago, hard-won freedom.” Karkloof Forest Reserve, offers
and while he may have referred “The Nelson Mandela Capture 12 platforms and 10 zip-line
to the Ixopo region, he could well slides, the longest of which is
have been extolling the beauty Site is a cultural and historical 200 metres.
of the neighbouring, unspoilt exhibition that is situated at the Kai Schulz, managing director
KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. site at which Nelson Mandela at Karkloof Canopy Tour said,
was apprehended for his anti-
Just over an hour away Apartheid activism acts in “The zip-line journey is safe and a
from Durban, between August 1952. There is a museum fun adventure for people between
Pietermaritzburg and with videos and photographs the ages of six and 80 and over. It
Drakensberg, is a delightful region that will give you goosebumps is the second largest indigenous
filled with stretches of farmland, as the people’s Struggle is retold forest in South Africa and is
quaint little towns full of charm, through sound and images,” unique due to the incredible bird
a marvellous road of arts and life which includes glimpsing
Visitors can enjoy 10 zip-lines through the Karkloof Forest Reserve at crafts, restaurants brimming with said Nyandeni. emerald cuckoos, Knysna Turaco,
Karkloof Canopy Tours
gastronomic delights and scenic Several owners of hotels, chalets, a great variety of birds of prey
landscapes bordering the sublime game lodges and holiday resorts and if you are lucky, the elusive
region known as the KwaZulu- cannot wait to welcome visitors Narina Trogon or endangered
Natal Midlands. to the KZN Midlands and have Cape Parrots.”
posted their amazing specials on
As you soak up the landscapes, “The forest also shelters a
sounds and fresh air of the KZN Tourism KwaZulu-Natal’s website variety of mammals, but it is
Midlands, you will quickly making travel fun and affordable the loud cries of the Samango
realise that this is the ideal place – see www.zulu.org.za. monkeys that you will
to recharge your soul’s batteries The general manager of the remember best.”
in surroundings that resemble Midlands Meander, Marian Evans Wine lovers, couples and families
God’s canvas. said, “The Midlands Meander is will enjoy a trip to Highgate Wine
At the heart of the KZN special because it offers its visitors Estate, which produces its very
Midlands is the popular an array of accommodation to own wines, and is situated in the
Midlands Meander – an itinerary choose from, beautiful autumn heart of KZN Midlands.
of art, handicrafts, restaurants and cosy winter days, an
and farm holidays – that is abundance of wonderful cuisines Terri Evans, general manager
a retreat for holidaymakers and countless charming scenic of Highgate Wine Estate and
with many cafes, art galleries, areas to enjoy outdoor activities. Piggly Wiggly, said, “The
beautiful guesthouses, cheese “Parents are now more aware Kassier family purchased the
Highgate Wine Estate, situated on the R103 near Piggly Wiggly produces its farms, seamstresses, cobblers, Highgate Farm which was then
very own wines trout farms, potters, weavers of focusing on creating special a small one-hectare vegetable
and painters who have made this memories with their children farm. Thereafter, the Kassiers
region their home. and we encourage more of these saw an opportunity, a need
family holidays or day outings for fresh produce, and the
The Midlands Meander together. Farms stays with the concept of Piggly Wiggly was
is a wonderfully refreshing family is a must; children can born. From this passion came
combination of over 150 places to enjoy a visit to Endeavour Alpacas Highgate Wine Estate, and in
eat, drink and shop, and stretches at Nirvana Farm, fly-fishing and 2016, the first commercially
from Rietvlei and Curry’s horse riding.” produced bottle of wine was
Post to Dargle Valley and Fort bottled and sold exclusively in
Nottingham – a total of about Mount Shekinah Country Hotel, their winery. Highgate now has
80km of activities. near Michaelhouse School, just five hectares of vines with a
off the R103 in Balgowan, is a gem
One of the historical sites in and a must-visit destination to variety of Merlot, Chardonnay,
the Midlands Meander is the include on your bucket list. Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon
Nelson Mandela Capture Site, and Shiraz and visitors can relax
one of the most-visited memorial The general manager of the and enjoy the wine-tasing and
sites in KZN with a visitor hotel, Silindokuhle Bhengu, said, delicious foods.” 
centre and a world-renowned “Our location is ideal, private and
sculpture of the peace activist peaceful, offering visitors’ scenic Discover KZN by visiting:
and politician Nelson Mandela, views and amazing hospitality. www.youtube.com/
Mount Shekinah Country Hotel, near Michaelhouse School, just off the R103 designed by the South African Guests can enjoy horse-riding watch?v=cU8rGVbBgCc and
in Balgowan, is a gem and a must-visit destination in KZN artist Marco Cianfanelli. within the property, go for a hike www.midlandsmeander.co.za

14