Things to Do in Pietermaritzburg with Kids
THE 5 BEST Family & Kid Activities in Pietermaritzburg
Things to Do in Pietermaritzburg with Kids
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7 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, number of page views, and user location.
What travellers are saying
- Mobile159490966321 contributionWe made a last minute booking and camped at the Horseshoe Cottage this past weekend. What a wonderful experience! Carolyn even drove down to the river to come and meet us and see whether we need anything. The river and campsite is beautiful and we had the most enjoyable time.Written 26 August 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- InverknollHilton, South Africa41 contributionsWe had family visiting from the UK, with a little boy of 3.
Wow! A must see / do in Pietermaritzburg, even if you go alone.
Incredibly well preserved.Written 13 February 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Mark L36 contributionsA great experience, and watching a falcon stoop onto a lure is awe-inspiring every time. The staff are very professional and the whole place is run with a passion and interest for the birds.Written 31 March 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Matvl5 590 contributionsThe gardens are lovely and great for a wander. A few relatively easy trails both in the more formal gardens and into the forest. Some areas with an ongoing battle against invasive alien vegetation, but mostly lovely. Some signage on trees and plants, but essentially a nice park. There is also a whole acrobranch area for those feeling more energetic with a number of levels to try out.Written 8 April 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- shauns2111South Africa1 152 contributionsEasy access, a good green patch to stroll around in. Many people walking and relaxing while I was there. Pet friendly so take the dog with.
Worth a visit after a long day, or weekend picnics to get some fresh air.
I will visit again when in the area.Written 25 August 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Jim DKinsale, Ireland239 contributionsOnce upon a time there was a Parks Board in Natal, often underfunded, sometimes resented, but always staffed by dedicated people devoted to wildlife and nature. They managed a growing number of reserves in the province, many on a shoestring, offering only basics in terms of facilities, but one thing you could be sure of: whatever they managed would be protected, maintained, polished, cleaned and fixed with an almost manic attention to detail. For headquarters they had this park, which is set in the green hills rising above the once-gracious provincial capital. Here, in the 50s and 60s, a modern administrative centre was built, and around it, roads into the bush were paved, picnic spots were set up and interactive facilities installed. An auditorium was installed and species introduced to add to the game already there. There was a rhino enclosure, and some other animals were on live display. My grandmother would take us for picnics there, and school would take us for educational tours and films in the auditorium. Parks Board staff, many of whom I got to know over the years, had a fierce devotion to their task. But that was then; what about now? Well, I think if they could return, there are many things here which would horrify them, as would the state of many of the parks. Under time-serving cadre deployment in what has been renamed Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the roads have become potholed, the headquarters building needs a proper sprucing up, everything painted needs re-painting and the once-pristine bush is dotted with invader plants like lantana and bugweed. There is little sense of pride in the management of the surroundings, or indeed KZN's parks in general. If this is how they look after HQ, how well can they be managing the distant reserves? Departed old-timers would be ashamed to be associated with the sense of decay and general lack of care and attention to detail.
On the positive side, if you never knew it in its heyday, it's a nice enough place to go for a day out. The picnic sites and trails are marked and mowed and if you can handle the less-than-perfectly maintained toilet facilities a family picnic here can still be fun.Written 16 August 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - AbainboroughSomerset West, South Africa122 contributionsTala Review:
The Good
Abundant Wildlife: Tala Game Reserve offers an incredible amount of game viewing opportunities, with a wide variety of animals to spot. It’s great for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Newly Renovated Umndeni Room: Our room was recently refurbished, offering a fresh and modern atmosphere which was a nice touch during our stay.
Great Dining: Both the Paperbark Lodge and the main Leadwood Manor provided excellent food. The meals were delicious and offered a good variety, making every dining experience enjoyable.
Friendly Staff: The staff were welcoming and helpful throughout our stay, contributing to a pleasant and comfortable experience.
The Bad
Weak WiFi Signal: The WiFi in our room was almost unusable. The connection kept dropping every few seconds, which was frustrating, especially if you needed to stay connected.
Misleading Room Listings: The room (Umndeni / family room) which is located at Paperbark (again not apparent when booking via booking.com) was advertised on Booking.com as having air conditioning, but in reality, it only had a fan. Additionally, it was listed on their own website as having a TV, which it did not, nor did it have a safety deposit box. These discrepancies were disappointing, as we had chosen the room based on these amenities.
Security Concerns: The patio door locks in our room were broken, leaving the room vulnerable as anyone could easily walk in. This raised significant security concerns during our stay.
The Misleading
Deceptive Photos on Booking Sites: When booking through Booking.com or even directly via the Tala website, the photos make it appear as though all the facilities are conveniently located close to one another and easily accessible. However, this is far from the reality.
Paperbark Lodge vs Main Leadwood Manor Lodge
Paperbark Lodge is located near the entrance gate and offers limited facilities compared to the main lodge. Although it has a pool, it was non-functional due to poor maintenance during our visit, which was disappointing, particularly for families with children. As Paperbark is the only accommodation option for families with children under 12, this limitation is significant. The closest functional pool was nearly 6 kilometers away, accessible only via a bumpy dirt road.
Restricted Dining Hours at Paperbark Lodge: Another downside of staying at Paperbark Lodge is the restricted dining hours, with breakfast served from 8-10 am and dinner from 6-8 pm. In contrast, the main lodge offers a more flexible restaurant schedule, providing meals throughout most of the day.
Recommendation
If you're planning a stay at Tala Game Reserve, I highly recommend booking a room at the Leadwood Manor lodge rather than Paperbark Lodge. The main lodge offers better amenities, dining options, and a more enjoyable overall experience. Paperbark Lodge, while adequate, is basic and could be disappointing, especially for families expecting more facilities for children.Written 6 September 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
