Gillitts, Valley of 1000 Hills
Lying nestled between Hillcrest and Kloof, Gillitts is a leafy, green village that lies some 35 kilometres west of Durban where some property is still advertised as ‘rural small holdings' and quiet usually means silence.
Gillitts is a peaceful and relaxing suburb of Durban - many residents do a daily commute - and the humidity, for which Durban is renowned, seems to dissipate up here where the air feels clearer and the rolling green surrounds give the distinct feel of countryside.
You tend to have the best of both worlds in Gillitts - you're only 20 minutes' drive from Durban meaning visits, either for business or pleasure, are very easy, yet the accessibility to the Valley of a Thousand Hills, virtually on your doorstep, means that you're also close to wonderful getaway opportunities like the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve with its trails and walks, and Inanda and Shongweni dams.
Kloof Country Club has an excellent golf course, the Shongweni polo club hosts traditional games of polo, the Shongweni Farmers' Market, with some organic stalls, is on the corner of Alveston and Kassia roads, and the Heritage Market in Hillcrest offers an array of arts and crafts, furniture shops, restaurants and beautiful rose gardens.
Gillitts also lies close to the industrial parks of Westmead, Mahogany Ridge and Hammarsdale, making it an ideal stop for those doing business in these areas as well as Pinetown or Pietermaritzburg. Gillitts is particularly popular during both the Comrades Marathon and the Duzi Canoe Marathon, because of its accessibility to both, so finding accommodation at these times can be a tad difficult.
Travellers' Reviews
2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
Gillitts is the ideal place to stay if visiting Durban during the summer months - the humidity doesn't seem to reach the suburb! We really enjoyed our stay; a quick 20 minute drive saw us in Durban and we were also conveniently close to everything else on offer: the Shongweni market, golf at Kloof Country Club etc.
Helen (Kearsney)
Verified review
We absolutely loved our Gillits experience. This is the ultimate in escapes from the city life. Everything was so green, thanks to the humidity, which kept us in the swimming pool most of the time.
d. kritzinger (port elizabeth)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Churchill House
Churchill House provides charming bed and breakfast accommodations in the picturesque suburb of Winston Park, serving as a perfect base to explor...
York House B&B
York House is situated 1 km from the town of Hillcrest, which lies approximately 700 meters above sea level offering a more temperate climate, aw...
Grassroots Bed and Breakfast
Grassroots is a home run B&B in a peaceful, highly accessible location in the suburb of Gillitts, Durban. 20 minutes from the beach, 40 minutes f...
Things to do in the area
Shongweni Farmers Market
Upon a hill in the Shongweni Valley overlooking the majestic Kirk Falls sits The Shongweni Farmers & Craft Market. Just a short drive meandering ...
Umgeni Steam Train Trip
If you're running out of steam on your holiday, take it easy at a train window while still taking in the country, it's countryside and it's histo...
Stoker's Arms
Stoker's Arms is situated in Kloof, which is part of the greater Durban area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. This suburb is verdant and pretty, t...
Monteseel Rock Climbing Routes
Monteseel is a rocky crag just beyond Botha's Hill, outside the village of Hillcrest, on the edge of the Valley of 1000 Hills; with views to matc...
Durban via the Valley of a Thousand Hills
Route: Durban, Krantzkloof, Monteseel, Valley of a thousand Hills, Midmar Dam, Pietermaritzburg, Nshongweni DamDescription: From the awe-inspiri...
Noteworthy attractions
Midlands Meander
The enchantment of the Midlands has long inspired many a visitor and resident to creativity and as a result, local artists, potters and weavers c...
Inchanga Choo Choo
The Inchanga Choo Choo departs from Kloof, which is just 25 kilometres from the urban epicentre of Durban. This scenic suburb is the perfect poin...
Valley of 1000 Hills Route
The Valley of 1000 Hills Route is one of KwaZulu Natal's best kept secrets. The Valley of a 1000 Hills forms around the majestic valley created b...
Temple of Understanding
The Hare Krishna temple, known as the Sri Sri Radhanath Temple of Understanding, is found in the largely Indian area of Chatsworth roughly 20 kil...
Springside Nature Reserve
Springside Nature Reserve is found in the midst of suburban Hillcrest, a wonderful 21 hectare reserve that lies on both sides of a little stream ...
Shongweni Resources Reserve
You'll find the Shongweni Resource Reserve roughly halfway between Durban and Pietermarizburg, off the N3 and on Route 6 of the 1000 Hills Experi...
Shongweni Nature Reserve
The Shongweni dam and nature reserve is classically beautiful. Get there early enough – the reserve lies only forty minutes' from Durban – add a ...
Cotswold Downs Golf Course
Cotswold Downs is known for its natural splendour and abundance. It is located in Hillcrest, Durban, which places it within convenient proximity ...
New Germany Nature Reserve
The small New Germany Nature Reserve lies on Mountain Ridge Road (which becomes Methven Road) in the midst of New Germany's suburbia. As the stre...
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