The Campbell Collections
The Campbell Collections
5
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The furniture, household items, clothing and art in this eclectic collection are housed in the 1914 home of sugar baron Sir Marshall Campbell.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles18 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
4
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0
Poor
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Kevan T
Pretoria194 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2018 • Couples
Easy to find and one can park in the grounds.
We arrived a little later than the appointment i had made but we were made welcome by the young man on duty in the house who acted as our guide.
He was very enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the house and the Cambell family as well as the exhibits.
The story and drawings/ written records of Barbara Tyrell were quite remarkable and shows how just one person can ensure we know of a forgotten past.
We had visited the Phansi Museum the day before and this House one could tell was more of a University establishment.
Nevertheless for a small entrance fee we had a well informed and enthusiastic tour and again thankful we had been and learnt more about the African Culture.
Written 6 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JustinWRA
Durban, South Africa43 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018 • Solo
The Killie Campbell Museum epitomises "hidden gem". While a little unsuspecting and without a great deal of information online it proved to be a surprising and rewarding visit. Lulu the museum curator was available and took me on a guided tour of this the private residence of the Campbell family. The museum is home to a wonderful collection of Zulu cultural artefacts, literature and history. Lulu explained the stories behind the family, their legacy and the collection in a way that brought it to life. A day well spent.
Written 22 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

davet65
London, UK106 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Solo
I turned up on the off-chance that i would be able to get in without making an appointment, and the security guard suggested that i simply ring on the bell. Nobody came at first, and the security guard very kindly made a phone call to KZN university staff working inside, and somebody came down and kindly gave me a tour of the house and collection, both of which were very interesting to see. The guide was very knowledgable and kind. There is also a very small gift shop and i paid a nominal entrance fee on completion of tour.
Written 11 June 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter F
Greater Johannesburg, South Africa499 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017 • Solo
This place is well worth a visit. It is both fascinating and informative. It gives a great historical insight to the area . A must visit!
Written 23 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hobbitrsa
Romford, UK424 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017
The campbell collection is worth a visit if you are interested in early Natal Colonial history, best to see it before the government closes it down....
Written 6 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Luc Victor
.782 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2016 • Solo
Although quite difficult to visit, trying to see the Campbell Collection is worth the hassle. When I visited KZN in 2015 I tried to get an appointment to see the collection but power cuts and strict visiting hours plus very obnoxious and unhelpful security guards were to contend with. However, with persistence, I was able to finally visit in 2016 and I was amazed at the richness of information and cogitating visuals the museum had to offer. For all those who are thirsting for an educational and historical tour, the curator and staff are very well informed, warm and welcoming. Just make sure you get an appointment early so that you can be accommodated. The security just usually chase people away and keep saying the place is closed due to power cuts – even if it is not.
Written 2 February 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nicolas s
Milan, Italy2 439 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2016 • Couples
amazing premises , lovely collection and once you get access to the library, then it is amazing . a treasury trove ,not to be missed
Written 9 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

unguidedmissal
unguidedmissal166 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2015 • Couples
Set in a beautiful old Cape Dutch manor house, this collection is an enchanting display of culture, probably lost or nearly so. The house itself is a marvel with its' beautiful period furniture, library and photographs from the early 20th century. But the structure houses a wonderful collection of Zulu ethnological pieces that won't be seen elsewhere. There is plenty of Zulu craft to be found in Durban but not a lot of this era, before the dramatic effects of the later 20th century came. The jewel is the crown of the collection or at least the most enthralling were the colored drawings of Zulu dress by Barbara Tyrrell. There seem to be hundreds of them. They line the walls everywhere, each a representation of a zulu person in some particular zulu costume rendered in detailed color. There were also detailed descriptions of the significance of the costume. We spent three hours but could have spent more. Would love to go back. An appointment is needed. The gardens have mostly gone to jungle.
Written 31 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dagmar H
Dublin, Ireland31 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2014 • Couples
I am so happy we found this place - I have been looking for a museum where I could see and study the native costume and adornment ( especially beading) of the African continent, but usually (as a tourist, anyway) one comes across curio markets. They are interesting, but this is something else.......The Campbell Collections include original work of Barbara Tyrrell who has dedicated her life to recording the various dresses and dress styles of the "Tribal Peoples of Southern Africa" - that is the title of one of her books. She began this in the 1940's and continued well into the 1960's and we saw many of her watercolor drawings, with fantastic details, as well as detailed explanation of what the occasion was, what the clothing worn like this signified - it is the history of dressing of the Zulu people and others. There is also fabulous beadwork on display, older and more modern, and our tour guide explained to us (my husband and me) the meaning and "hidden messages" behind it. He also told us about the Campbell family and took us through the house, showing us the furniture and collected books. The whole Muckleneck House and Gardens and Mashu Ethnology Museum is a part of the University of KZN and there is also a library that is open for public to study various subjects.
The whole setting was really wonderful and our tour guide was really knowledgeable and nice.
We needed to make an appointment for viewing, it isn't a big museum with set open hours and it was really worthy it, I could stay there for hours.............There is an entrance fee of 20 R per person( which for the time spent and information gained is the most amazing value ever)
I will definitely go back the next time we are in South Africa.
Written 2 April 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Melissa A
Victoria, Canada50 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2013 • Friends
We didn't, but luckily the guide agreed to show us around anyway. There is a bit of everything -- example of a late 19th-early 20th c Cape Dutch house and furnishings, many African -- particularly Zulu -- artifacts and a wonderful collection of paintings by Barbara Tyrrell of the traditional costumes of the various peoples of Southern Africa. Tyrrell was not simply an ethnographer but a talented artist and portraitist.
Written 21 July 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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THE CAMPBELL COLLECTIONS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Frequently Asked Questions about The Campbell Collections