Drummond

Drummond, Valley of 1000 Hills

Drummond is situated exactly halfway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg on the 1 000 Hills Road and is famous for the halfway mark of the Comrades Marathon.

Fewer than 200 years ago, the area that is now Drummond was the home of local tribes, whose way of life was steeped in tradition and rich in culture. However, when Captain Percy J Kingham and his soon-to-be wife, Elise, arrived in 1902, these ones were no longer in the region. The Kinghams established a farm for themselves, selling their produce to suppliers in Durban and eventually opening a butchery to supply the local farm workers with meat. As the population grew, so did the farm. Even when the Captain died, his wife was left responsible for the ever-expanding empire, proving herself to be an accomplished businesswoman.

Today, Drummond retains its rich heritage, and offers visitors a destination that is historically relevant, and quaint in its own rights, while still being close to major cities and attractions.

Visitors are invited to see the half-scale model of South Africa's first ever steam train, built by Temple Mervyn Humphries in 1966. The train after which this is modelled made its first trip in 1860, and ran between Durban's city centre and Durban Point.

Gelengele is a nearby mountain, which is not only aesthetically beautiful, but can also be explored by those who want to see, smell and feel the true African outdoors. There are several horse riding trails around Drummond. These are fantastic choices for visitors (or locals) that want to experience the splendour of KwaZulu-Natal from the elevated comfort of a well trained, responsive horse.

Drummond's nearby towns include Botha's Hill, Inchanga Park, Hillcrest, Belvedere, and Hilldene, amongst many others. At only 45 kilometres from Durban, Drummond makes for a central, convenient base from which to experience the loveliness of this part of South Africa.