Pietermaritzburg Travel Guide – Attractions & Tours

Featured Lists

Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / CC BY-SA 3.0

Pietermaritzburg Essentials

Pietermaritzburg blends Victorian architectural heritage with significant political history. The city center features the Tatham Art Gallery in the Old Supreme Court and the Msunduzi Museum complex. Key historical sites include the Mahatma Gandhi statue, marking the site of his 1893 eviction, and the Comrades Marathon House, dedicated to the world's oldest ultramarathon. Natural attractions like the 95-meter Howick Falls and the Natal Lion Park provide wildlife and scenic views, while the Harry Gwala Stadium anchors the city's sporting culture.

9 places

Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / CC BY-SA 3.0

Pietermaritzburg Essentials

Pietermaritzburg’s green spaces and waterways define its landscape. This selection features the 95-meter-high Howick Falls on the Umgeni River and the KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Gardens, established in 1874 and famous for its historic avenue of London Plane trees. Alexandra Park offers Victorian-era architecture with its 1892 bandstand, while Wylie Park provides a dedicated space for indigenous proteas and azaleas. Together, these sites showcase the region's diverse flora and significant geological landmarks.

7 places

Museums & Heritage

Pietermaritzburg’s heritage sites provide a focused look at South Africa’s sporting, political, and cultural history. The Comrades Marathon House preserves the legacy of the world’s oldest ultramarathon within a restored Victorian residence. Political history is anchored by the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, marking the site of his 1893 eviction. The Voortrekker Museum explores 19th-century pioneer history, while the Winston Churchill Theatre and local amphitheaters serve as active hubs for the city’s performing arts community.

6 places

Bjørn Christian Tørrissen / CC BY-SA 3.0

Nature & Waterfalls

Pietermaritzburg's green spaces range from the 95-meter drop of Howick Falls to the historic Kwa-Zulu Natal National Botanical Gardens, established in 1874 and famous for its century-old London plane tree avenue. Alexandra Park offers Victorian-era architecture, including an 1892 bandstand, while Wylie Park provides access to trails leading to World’s View. These locations showcase the region's diverse flora, including proteas and azaleas, alongside the Cascades Falls trail network, which is integrated into the city’s extensive mountain biking and hiking infrastructure.

5 places

Pietermaritzburg — Map

Climate & when to visit

Best time to visit: April, May, June, July, August, September

Select a month

Typical weather in January

Poor

28° (feels like 29°) · extremes 14°–34°
17° at night
24 rainy days
10 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
UV index 11 · extreme

Typical weather in February

Poor

28° (feels like 29°) · extremes 14°–34°
17° at night
22 rainy days
10 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Muggy, humid air
Calm winds
UV index 10 · very high

Typical weather in March

Fair

27° (feels like 28°) · extremes 12°–33°
16° at night
19 rainy days
14 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in April

Great

24° (feels like 25°) · extremes 10°–31°
14° at night
12 rainy days
16 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in May

Great

23° (feels like 22°) · extremes 7°–29°
12° at night
6 rainy days
22 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in June

Great

21° (feels like 19°) · extremes 5°–27°
9° at night
3 rainy days
23 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 3 · moderate

Typical weather in July

Great

21° (feels like 19°) · extremes 4°–27°
8° at night
4 rainy days
24 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 4 · moderate

Typical weather in August

Great

24° (feels like 22°) · extremes 5°–31°
10° at night
6 rainy days
20 sunny days
8 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 5 · moderate

Typical weather in September

Great

26° (feels like 24°) · extremes 7°–35°
12° at night
10 rainy days
16 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Dry air
Calm winds
UV index 6 · high

Typical weather in October

Fair

26° · extremes 9°–35°
13° at night
18 rainy days
12 sunny days
7 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 8 · very high

Typical weather in November

Fair

27° · extremes 10°–35°
15° at night
22 rainy days
9 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Comfortable humidity
Calm winds
UV index 9 · very high

Typical weather in December

Poor

28° (feels like 29°) · extremes 13°–35°
16° at night
26 rainy days
9 sunny days
6 hours of sunshine per day
Humid air
Calm winds
UV index 10 · very high

Climate data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2) · 1996–2025

Practical information

Currency: South African Rand ZAR R · Card payments · Widely accepted
Electricity: Type C / Type D / Type M / Type N
230 V · 50 Hz

Languages: Afrikaans, English, South Ndebele, Swati, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Tap water: Safe to drink
Driving side: Left
Calling code: +27