Tala Game Reserve and Midlands Meander Tour

This popular tour offers a variety of attractions and appeals to both culture and nature enthusiasts alike. It begins with a visit to TALA, (Durban's finest game reserve). A Zulu word meaning THE LAND OF PLENTY, Tala has an abundance of game and is home to more than 300 species of bird life. It boasts big game that includes rhino, buffalo, hippo, giraffe as well as almost twenty species of antelope including the rare sable. All these, together with an interesting variety of flora makes a visit to Tala a memorable occasion.

From Tala, the tour makes a brief visit to THE CITY OF CHOICE and capital city of KwaZulu-Natal, PIETERMARITZBURG. This part of the tour takes in key sights linked with famous people who left their mark on the history of the city. These famous people include:

• Mohandus Gandhi.
  The Pietermaritzburg station is where Gandhi was forcibly removed from a First Class carriage in June 1893 and this marked the start of his passive resistance campaign. The tour also passes his statue in front of the old Colonial Building.
• Nelson Mandela
  The tour will allow guests a brief viewing of the Arya Samaj Hall [Now part of the grounds of the Zibukezulu School in Imbali] where, on March 25, 1961, Nelson Mandela delivered the keynote speech at the All-In Africa Conference; this being his last public speech before his arrest outside Howick the following year. Also included is a visit to the plinth marking the place of his arrest in 1962.
• The Prince Imperial
  Napolėon Eugėne Joseph Bonaparte, only son of Napolėon 111 and the empress Eugėnie, came to South Africa with British reinforcements after the Battle of Isandlwana. After a brief visit to Cape Town, the Prince arrived in Durban on 31 March 1879. He transferred to Pietermaritzburg where he spent six days before joining the British forces under Lord Chelmsford. He was killed by Zulu warriors in the Jojosini valley on 1 June 1879. Guests will see the Imperial Hotel which was named after the Prince and which has his visit recorded on the brass plaque, on the hitching rail, at the entrance to the hotel.
• Piet Retief and Gert Maritz
  The statues of Piet Retief and Gert Maritz, the two Voortrekker leaders after whom Pietermaritzburg was named are to be seen on Church Street alongside the CHURCH OF THE VOW.
• Queen Victoria
  The statue of Queen Victoria is to be seen on Langalibalele Street outside the KwaZulu-Natal Parliament Building.

After leaving the THE CITY OF CHOICE, the tour proceeds on the popular MIDLANDS MEANDER and offers a spectacular view of the Midmar dam and a glimpse of the magnificent Drakensberg. Off–coach activities include a short stop at the site of Nelson Mandela's capture, a light lunch, an opportunity to do fun shopping at Nottingham Road, a visit to Groundcover Leather Company (well known makers of original, finely handcrafted leather footwear and accessories) and a brief stop at the Howick Falls.

• Worldcup 2010 Special
• Attractions
• Tour map

WORLD CUP FOOTBALL 2010 SPECIAL

The Tala Valley, Midlands Meander Tours will be run weekly throughout the world Cup 2010 on the following Mondays

June 7, 14, 21 & 28
July 5 & 12

TOURS WILL LEAVE THE DURBAN BEACH FRONT AT 7:00 AND RETURN AT APPROX.18:00

BOOK NOW (R999,99 FOR WORLD CUP 2010)

• Tala Game Reserve.
• Take in the sights linked with famous people.
• The magnificence of the Pietermaritzburg City Hall.
• The starting point of the first comrades marathon run on 24 May 1921.
• Lunch at a popular country hotel.
• The beauty of the Midlands Meander.

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