South Africa · Culture

Nelson Mandela Capture Site & Phezulu Cultural Village Tour

8 Hours Round trip from Durban Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Full-day tour from Durban to Pietermaritzburg and Howick
  • 02 Visit the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and Museum
  • 03 See the dramatic Howick Falls on the Umgeni River
  • 04 Experience traditional Zulu culture at PheZulu Cultural Village
  • 05 Enjoy a guided tour of a traditional Zulu homestead
  • 06 Watch an entertaining local Zulu dance performance
  • 07 Visit PheZulu Reptile Park with a local guide
  • 08 Opportunity to see and photograph reptiles including a Burmese python

Discover a full-day journey from Durban into the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, combining history, scenery, and living culture. Travel to Pietermaritzburg for a short city tour and a visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s statue, then continue to Howick Falls, a dramatic waterfall on the Umgeni River known locally as the “Home of the Tall.”

The experience continues at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and Museum, where the striking sculpture and exhibits offer insight into Mandela’s life and the struggle against Apartheid. In the Valley of 1000 Hills, visit PheZulu Cultural Village to explore a traditional Zulu homestead, learn about Zulu customs, enjoy an energetic cultural dance performance, and join a guided visit through the reptile park.

The experience continues at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site and Museum, where the striking sculpture and exhibits offer insight into Mandela’s life and the struggle against Apartheid.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Hours
Tour type Shared
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Not included
Transport Not included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Durban, Pietermaritzburg
Languages English, French, Greek, Polish, Portuguese

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Nelson Mandela Capture Site & Phezulu Cultural Village Tour

The tour departs from Durban for the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg. Your guide will give
you a short tour of the city and visit Mahatma Gandhi’s statue by Pietermaritzburg City Hall.  

Next stop will be the small town of Howick to visit its waterfall. KwaNogqaza or Howick Falls is
approximately 95 m in height and lies on the Umgeni River. The local Zulu people named it the “Home of the Tall” referring to its height. Next to the falls lies a quaint old section of Howick which has a selection of historical museums and antique stores to visit.  

Next is the Nelson Mandela Capture Site Statue and Apartheid Museum. The Capture Site boasts a large
sculpture of Nelson Mandela made up of multiply steel columns which stand between 6 and 9 metres tall. Tourists at the Capture Site are required to stand 35 meters away from the large Nelson Mandela bust for it to come into clear focus. Facing west the impressive sculpture creates a uniquely beautiful
landscape for the local Howick community. The museum is dedicated to Nelson Mandela’s life and his struggle against Apartheid government.  

Next is the ‘Valley of 1000 Hills’ to experience traditional Zulu culture at PheZulu Cultural Village and Reptile Park. Visitors are taken into a traditional Zulu homestead to experience what traditional Zulu life was like before the modern era. Inside a traditional Zulu homestead there are thatched huts placed in a circular position, with the cattle placed in the centre as a form of protection. At PheZulu’s ‘Sibaya’ or homestead the thatched huts are surrounding the auditorium which faces the beautiful ‘Valley of 1000
Hills’.

The local PheZulu guide will take you on a guided tour of the PheZulu sibaya and describe Zulu cultural practices to gain insight into Zulu traditions during the 1800’s. The local Zulu dancing show is educating and entertaining with the local performers singing beautiful traditional Zulu songs and dancing energetically. The performers wear their traditional Zulu attire, showing off their dancing and singing
skills with rhythmic agility and pride. 

Included in PheZulu is the Reptile Park where guests enjoy a guided tour by a local PheZulu Reptile park
guide. The local guides are very knowledgeable and eager to take you around the park and share interesting facts about the animals in the park. PheZulu Reptile Park has diverse reptilian wildlife on site which include crocodiles, alligators, snakes, tortoises, spiders and iguanas. The local PheZulu guide
will let you touch or hold some of the animals including a small crocodile and the giant Burmese python, just long enough to take a photo. 

Tour highlights

 · Nelson Mandela’s Capture Site and Museum.  

· Pietermaritzburg 

· Howick Falls 

· PheZulu Cultural Village  

· PheZulu Reptile Park  

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Durban 2 cities · 8 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Professional tour guide

What's Not Included

  • Lunch / Food & Drinks : however opportunity is provided to get or buy something to eat , refuel and relax.

Know before you go

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Operates in all weather conditions; please dress appropriately
  • DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION: Pickup & drop off service with in a 5km radius of 1st Zulu Safaris office at Gooderson Tropicana Hotel, 85 OR Tambo Parade, Durban. If you are out of our pickup radius, special arrangements can be made to pick you up at your location of choice
    DEPARTURE TIME: 08:30 AM
    RETURN TIME: 04:30 PM
    WEAR: Comfortable clothing, walking Shoes, hat, sunscreen and jacket.
    LOCATION: Howick, Pietermaritzburg, Valley of 100 Hills, South Africa
    AGE: All ages welcome
    DATES: All year round
    TRAVELLER TYPE: Single or Per Person Sharing
  • You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
  • Hotel pickups commence prior to this time
  • Prices vary by group size and are priced per person, per your booking for your group

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Durban, ZA
Tour start
Durban, ZA
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 8 hours finish where they began, in Durban.

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