5 Interesting Facts About the Valley of a 1000 Hills

It’s said that the American Author “Mark Twain” was travelling from Durban through to Pretoria in 1896 and glimpsed out through his train window over the beautiful landscape and remarked to his colleagues that there appeared to be a “Valley with a 1000 Hills in it“; somehow this name stuck. Of course whether that happened or not (it’s great story in any case), we have 5 interesting facts about the Valley of a 1000 Hills we would love to share with you!

1. Bothas Hill and the Half Way Stop

Bothas Hill is named after Capt. Cornelis Botha (a former harbour master of Durban) who opened his “Bothas Halfway House” in the vicinity of where the Rob Roy stands today. Wagon drivers of the 1800’s plying their trade between Pietermaritzburg and Durban would have been quite grateful for a break here since the next stage of the journey was a steep descent, dropping 500m in around 25kms.

It should be noted though, that there is still dispute at to where the halfway house stood exactly, and which Botha owned it, Cornelis Botha or Philip Botha – there is more evidence though to suggest that Cornelis is the right Botha.

It does seem though the Halfway House was popular – Charles Barter in 1850 chose to rather spend the night under his wagon thanks to the party that was carrying on at the Halfway House (dop things ever really change).

2. The Debe Clan

Back in 1817 the mighty King Shaka began his rule, and like all kings through the centuries, immediately began consolidating his power and building his new nation; part of that meant sending his army out to conquer smaller clans before the could grow and threaten him.

As King Shaka’s power grew, so did the fear of his army and many smaller clans chose not to wait until King Shaka turned his attention on them – one such clan, the Debe clan people, decided to hoof it out of Zululand and find a place of safety – the Valley of a 1000 Hills become that spot.

The Debe clan, terrified that King Shaka’s troops would find them, were not able to raise cattle or grow crops and so they survived by hunting and for a very short period of time, through cannibalism – which if true, marks only one of two periods of Zulu history where people resorted to consuming the dead.

It hard to know exactly how much of the story is true, whether the Debe Clan were already in the area, or whether cannibalism was practised. What is true though, is you will find some of the warmest, friendliest poeple in the Valley of a 1000 Hills!

3. The Umgeni Steam Train

In 1880 the main line from Durban to Pietermarizburg was opened to much fanfare – no longer days walking alongside wagons or seated inside buggy’s as your insides were jostled by the terrain! Now you could purchase a train ticket and idle away the few hours watching the scenery go by.

Today, you can buy a ticket and travel at least a part of the way in come of the original carriages of the area. Even more fun, the section of track you get to travel over, has some of the most scenic views on the route – that’s right, views of the Valley of a 1000 Hills!

The Umgeni Steam Train group is a volunteer organisation that seeks to keep the old steam trains and carriages running. To do so, they offer train rides on the last Sunday of every month while over December, Easter and the June/July holidays, they add a few more rides.

Here’s your fact about the Valley of a 1000 Hills though: it runs through a 53 metres (174 ft) long tunnel at Drummond built in 1878, which is probably the oldest tunnel in use today in South Africa!

4. PheZulu Safari Park Still Operating 35 years on

If you were raised in Durban or surrounding areas during the 80’s onwards, then there is a better than good chance that you visited PheZulu Safari Park!

What started as a family-run venue that had a couple of Zulu dance shows a week and (if memory serves) a raptor show, PheZulu has grown from strength to strength, and although they still cater for children and schools, it’s an amazing and popular destination in it’s own right. Apart from the fact that PheZulu has been operating for over 35 years, another fact is that the Zulu family that works and performs at Zulu experience. are one family, the Gaza Family.

PheZulu is open everyday of the week, offers 4 traditional Zulu dance performances a day, has a crocodile and reptile experience. There is a restaurant that serves standard fare as well as Durban’s culinary gift to the world, the Bunny Chow and you can even enjoy a burger in and among the crocs!

5. Kloof Country Club is 99 Years Old (in 2025)

The 9 hole course that was designed by Tom Field in 1926 quickly became popular and in 1929 was redesigned by Stafford Vere Hotchkin to accommodate 18 holes. In the late 1940’s, Kloof Country Club management were appalled to discover the planned new road to Pietermaritzburg from Durban would bisect their club and no amount of protest was going to help and so the course was redesigned.

Today Kloof Country Club is a popular family destination, even for the non-golfers. Apart from the restaurant and bar on site, there are tennis courts, squash courts and padel courts. And members can enjoy a bit of running around the course as penance for the rather delicious lunches.

And finally, though not a confirmed fact, I was told by one of the older members once,that the Kloof Country Club has over the years, spotted leopard tracks across some of the bunkers – how amazing is that!

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