Paradise found in the Kwazulu Natal Interior

I will be taking you on a trip inland, still in my home Province of Kwazulu Natal; and when you look at what's to follow, you will wonder why my heart always gets drawn to the sea as you saw when I shared my Favourite Kwazulu Natal Coastal Memories with you just over a week ago.

We are truly blessed to have the best of both worlds here in KZN with the most spectacular inland destinations as well as laidback little coastal towns.

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Ithala Game Reserve

Hubby and I took a trip to the Ithala Game Reserve a couple of years ago; this is situated in Northern KZN in the Ngotshe Mountains. We thoroughly enjoyed the road trip there as well as we'd never been to that region and were really excited as this was a prize I had won, a 3 night stay in one of the thatch-roof chalets, all meals as well as early morning and late afternoon game viewing drives included!
With four of the big five in this park, we had much to look forward to - Elephant, White & Black Rhino, Buffalo and Leopard; I'm not sure why there are no Lions found here, but I'm sure the smaller game are quite content without the king of the jungle in their little paradise!

The Reserve did not disappoint; the setting was spectacular with the beautiful mountains all around and plenty of game, especially when we went on the guided game drives.
Rock formations dating back 3000 million years are found here, said to be the oldest in the world and with the most diverse geological features like views of a deep valley with the Pongola River way below and mountains everywhere as well as stunning sunsets; this was a dream game reserve stay.

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Oribi Gorge

This magnificent Gorge is found approximately 21 kilometres inland from the coastal town of Port Shepstone so we have visited here a couple of times over the years.
The gorge is just over 20 kilometers long, and boasts stunning sandstone cliffs with the Umzimkulwana River way below.
In one of the photos below hubby and friend were sitting on the Hanging Rock with an abyss of over 330 metres below. I have a fear of heights so stood well away from the edge of that precipice wherever we went.

There is much here for adrenaline junkies like the Wild Swing, Wild Abseiling, Wild Slide - a 120 metres long zip-line that spans across the Gorge some 160 metres above the base of the gorge.

I did walk the Wild suspension bridge which is some 84 metres long, and 100 metres above the gorge floor, with spectacular views of Lehr’s Waterfall, Baboon’s Castle and the world’s highest Gorge Swing, but I did not see any of that as I did not look left, right nor down; only looked at the back of my brave friend who was walking in front of me!

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Lake Eland Game Reserve

This game reserve is still in the Oribi Gorge and has a variety of wildlife like giraffe, eland, wildebeest, zebra as well as a host of other species.
The main attraction however is the spectacular 80 metres long plus 130 metres high suspension bridge.
When you see the setting below, you will understand why I did not set foot on this suspension bridge!

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Makaranga Gardens

Much closer to home in the village of Kloof, is a hotel that boasts a 30 acre stunning garden with a waterfall, a Japanese garden, many little sanctuaries and one of the largest private collection of sandstone art scattered around the gardens.
Sadly Covid has closed this tranquil haven down for an indefinite period, as it did to many other bigger hotels as well; tourism took a hard knock here in South Africa.
We were shocked when we took a drive there recently and saw this sign:

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Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park

This park not only offers exciting trails for bikers but also has lovely hiking trails, a restaurant with quaint mosaic art fashioned after old food names, excellent pizzas and other great food in a tranquil setting, unless there's a BMX competition underway, when the action gets everyone pumped up!

Adding this image showing most of the other designs found here, enjoy!

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Valley of a Thousand Hills

There are many of our favourite inland haunts in this magical area and as it's only a half an hour drive from us, we often go up that way. I will keep it short and sweet and only show you a couple of our favourites.

We recently discovered Stonehouse Garden Shop & Cafe which has a little bit of something for every taste; ranging from gifts to books to plants to food to a kiddies playground and much much more.
Blackwoods Nursery is a real garden of Eden which I shared with our #marketfriday friends as I did with Stonehouse recently.
The plants were just amazing and I did not know when to stop as all the plants called my name!

Of course wherever one goes in that area, you can understand the naming of Valley of a 1000 Hills!

Classroom Cafe at the 1000 Hills Chef School

We particularly enjoy going to the 1000 Hills Chef School's 'Classroom Cafe' which is run by the young upcoming chefs learning culinary art.
I always take home a loaf of sourdough bread and other homemade goods made by the students.

There's a little craft brewery on the premises as well where one can take a tour and enjoy a beer tasting with views of the Valley of a 1000 Hills.

I will end off with food made by the students – you be the judge!

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