Amajuba Route

Amajuba ('doves, symbol of peace') takes is name from a story about the Zulu king, Shaka and one of his raiding parties who were returning from raids to the north west. They stopped to rest at the foot of Majuba Mountain, and noticing the vast number of doves, called it 'Kwamajuba', (The place of the Doves). Throughout the district there are, however, reminders of two centuries of bloody conflict, and within the Amajuba district lie landmarks and battlefields that shaped South Africa’s destiny.

The route covers the area that makes up the Amajuba District Municipality in the north-western corner of KwaZulu-Natal, and incorporates the Dannhauser, Utrecht and Newcastle local municipalities, forming one dynamic district that is rich in culture, natural resources and established businesses.

All three towns have their own unique characteristics. Newcastle, a place with all the amenities of a city that nevertheless retains the charm of a country town. Dannhauser, with its cosmopolitan community of Zulu, Afrikaner, English, Hindu and Muslim inhabitants, and Utrecht, well known for being a town within a game park, tucked away in the Balele mountains.

There are various attractions within the Amajuba District, including cultural experiences, crafters, historical tours, game viewing, various outdoor activities, trout fishing, flower cultivation, adventures in various forms – all made more appealing by the charm of the local people.

Amajuba literally has an ABC of core attractions:

A – Adventures on the north-west frontier of the Zulu Kingdom, Art, Animals and Ambles;
B – Berg, Battlefields and Birds;
C – Culture, Crafts and Charm.

A's – Adventures, Art and Animals:

In this region there are adventures to be lived – by 4x4, mountain bike, quad bike, horseback or hiking. There are galleries to be visited, local artists to meet and talents to be admired. For nature lovers there are various wildlife experiences.

B's – Berg, Battlefields and Birds:

The Amajuba district lies at the foot of the escarpment formed by the Drakensberg. These hills and valleys are home to numerous hiking, horse-riding and 4x4 trails, while the clear streams offer many opportunities for fly-fishing.

There is a wealth of history in the area and a number of battlefields to explore. It is here that the battles that decided the outcome of the Transvaal War of Independence took place in 1881, when the burghers of Commandant General Piet Joubert soundly defeated the Imperial forces of General Sir George Pomeroy Colley. After inflicting reverses on Colley’s troops at Laing’s Nek and Schuinshoogte, Joubert’s forces went on to drive Colley’s men from their seemingly “impregnable” position on top of Majuba Mountain. Follow the trail of Colley’s ill-fated force from Fort Amiel in Newcastle to Mt. Prospect Cemetery, Laing’s Nek, Schuinshoogte, Majuba Mountain and O’Neill’s Cottage.

Amajuba has a birding meander, and close to 400 species of birds have been identified within the Amajuba District.

Amajuba Birding Meander:

The Amajuba Birding Meander lies on the crossroads between Gauteng and Durban, Durban and the Lowveld and the Free State and Zululand, and offers a wide range of activities for birding enthusiasts, particularly for species where 'grassveld meets the berg'. A whole range of species normally associated with grassveld, bushveld and mountain habitats are found in the Meander which is well known for its water birds.

Due to its central locality, the Meander offers an ideal stopover point between all regions as well as offering an accessible holiday destination. Besides the obvious advantages of having a wide variety of birds in the region, there are other attractions like the Ntshingwayo (Chelmsford) Dam, Balele Reserve at Utrecht, Botha’s, Muller’s and Normandien passes, Seekoeivlei at Memel, and Wakkerstroom.

According to the 2000 Eskom Red Data Book, this area has three critically endangered species, 13 vulnerable species and 18 near-threatened species. Some of the special birds of the area include the ground woodpecker (BLNN’s logo), blue korhaan, Botha’s and Rudd’s lark, all three cranes, buff-streaked chat, bush blackcap, yellow-breasted pipit, pale-crowned cisticola, the black egret, all five of the harriers and most of the kestrels.

The Meander has been developed to give birdwatchers easier access to most of the wonderful birds found in this region. Bird Life Northern Natal have produced an excellent brochure entitled The Amajuba Birding Meander, with recommended routes and bird details. Copies are available without charge from Tourism Newcastle or from Bird Life Northern Natal.
Tel: +27 34 315 2013 / +27 34 326 3849 / +27 34 315 2273
E-mail: bothahuis@hotmail.com/enprocon@telkomsa.net
Website: http://www.BLNN.org.za

Significant birdwatching destinations include:

Seekoeivlei at Memel, a Ramsar site;
The Wakkerstroom district;
Moorfield and the Vangervlei (an IBA and Natural Heritage site);
Bushveld habitats around Utrecht and Rorke’s Drift;
High-altitude habitats through Normandien, Muller’s and Botha’s passes;
The Newcastle Sewerage works; and
The Chelmsford Dam.

This region is particularly significant due to the fact that it affords birding enthusiasts relatively easy sightings of some special species of birds.

Ground woodpecker;
Bush blackcap;
Blue korhaan;
Both sparrowhawks;
Botha’s lark;
Yellow-breasted pipit;
Rudd’s lark;
Pale-crowned cisticola;
All three cranes;
Black egret;
Buff-streaked chat;
All five of the harriers;
Mountain chat;
Most of the kestrels;
Grass owl; and
Most of the duck species found in Southern Africa

C's – Culture, Crafts and Charm

The region lies within the KwaZulu-Natal coalfields area, and with many of the coalmines having closed down, tourism has been identified as the key to economic development in the area. This culturally diverse region offers visitors the opportunity to meet interesting people and have a range of cultural experiences – from meeting the “Redcoats” who re-enact historical battles, to visiting local dance groups and choirs, hearing the storytelling of old locals, visiting shebeens and taverns, meeting artists and crafters and the experience of a unique and vibrant way of life – the township life. All these experiences are made more appealing by the charm of the local people.

The Amajuba District is a unique place of opportunity where cultural, religious and racial diversity harmonise. Few places have been able to combine the characteristics and opportunities of urban and rural living as successfully as has been done here. The municipality operates by the motto: 'Thuthukani Majuba', (Prosper Majuba). With its wealth of attractions, the Amajuba Open Africa route is destined to prosper.

Useful Links

http://www.battlefields.kzn.org.za
http://www.southafrica.net
http://www.newcastle.co.za
http://www.amajubaexperience.co.za
http://www.amajuba.gov.za
http://www.tourismnewcastle.co.za
http://www.utrecht.gov.za
http://www.kzn.org.za

Nearby routes

Drakensberg Experience Route

The Drakensberg Experience is located in the Midlands of the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The route is centred on the Drakensberg World Heritage Site, which includes Giant’s Castle and the Central and Northern Drakensberg. The route extends from Hidcote in the south to Sterkfontein Dam in the north.

Elephant Coast Route

A large route stretching from St Lucia in the south to Kosi Bay in the north and inland to the N2 national highway, this route has a wealth of attractions, accommodation options and activities. It contains outstanding wildlife reserves covering a diversity of habitats.