Pietermaritzburg Airport Mini Guide
Where is Pietermaritzburg Airport?
Pietermaritzburg Airport, also known as Oribi Airport is in the KwaZulu-Natal region of South Africa. The airport is 11km from the town and the nearest major city is
Durban 78km away.
How Can I Fly There?
The only flights into Pietermaritzburg are from
Johannesburg and operated by Airlink.
Alternatively, fly into Durban and drive your hire car down the N3 route to the town, it should take about an hour.
How do I get to the Town?
Car hire is strongly recommended as there is next to no public transport available.
What’s at the Airport for me?
Pietermaritzburg Airport is a small airport with very basic facilities.
Are There Hotels Nearby?
The 3 star Protea Hotel Imperial is in the centre of the town and has 70 rooms. Wi-Fi is available for free in public areas. In the evening, have a cocktail in the hotel bar and enjoy international dishes at the Garden Restaurant. For something totally different, stay at the Golden Horse Casino Hotel, it has a very unique style and features a 14m stone horses head as part of its décor. At the hotel you will also find a race course and a casino if you are feeling lucky. Try out the Indian restaurant or the Italian café on-site. The hotel has a small pool and terrace area for you to relax.
What’s in the Town?
The town has a very colonial feel to it and this is reflected in it’s heritage. The City Hall is a grand Victorian building made of red brick and is the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. You can visit the Natal Museum and Tatham Art Gallery for a little culture or take a tour of the Burger Street Jail for something unusual.
Fascinating Facts…
Mahatma Gandhi was famously thrown off a train in Peitermaritzburg, when a white man objected to his being there. After this event, Gandhi decided to stay in South Africa and fight against racial discrimination. Today a statue of him stands in Church Street. Nelson Mandela was arrested in nearby Howicks and this arrest began his 27 years of imprisonment. A monument stands at the place of the arrest.
There’s a lot to be seen in and around the city if you have your own hire car. The Voortrekker Museum is a fascinating destination detailing the harrowing experiences of the Afrikaners during the Great Trek into the South African interior.
Visit City Hall, an imposing brick building, more at home in the north of England, which stages regular concerts in its auditorium. Look out for details of events posted locally. Finally for more culture, visit the Tatham Art Gallery which has many worthwhile exhibits, surprising for an African gallery.