Special magic in eShowe

Low fired earthenware and copper wire pots by Brian Mkize in the Vukani Museum

Oven fresh specialties are served at the Made @ Home Tea Garden

Dlinza Forest has much to offer - a group admiring the view from the 20 metre viewing tower on the Aerial Boardwalk

The Crafts for Africa shop at the Zululand Historical Museum has a wide range of books and curios on sale at very reasonable prices

The next time the family is looking for something to do, taking a day-trip to eShowe offers good options? If visiting on a Saturday, start at the Made at Home tea garden for a sustenance booster. This popular tea garden in Kangella Street is the meeting place for locals and visitors alike. Besides the sumptuous teas and cakes on offer, there is also second-hand goods and fresh vegetables for sale. Move on and experience the solitude of the Dlinza Forest. For the more energetic, the Impunzi Trail (1.3km) is an easy 30 minute round trip from the Visitor Centre and takes you past majestic Fluted Milkwoods, Giant Ironwoods and Wild Plum trees. Trees are clearly labelled and described on the trails. The Unkonka Trail (1.8km) reaches deeper into the forest and is an easy 45 minute walk, joining the Impunzi Trail near its end. Along the way you will cross the source of the Mpushini river, where you may see spoor of the Blue Duiker. Look out for blooming Clivia miniata flowers during Spring. Bishop’s Seat is a beautiful clearing in the forest where one of the early Bishops of eShowe, Bishop WM Carter, would come to ponder his next sermon. It is now used as a venue for outdoor functions, as well as an amphitheatre for the ‘The Forest Noël’. Do not forget to experience the views from the canopy of the forest by climbing the 20 metre high aerial boardwalk. Lunch time is at The George Hotel where The Quarter’s Restaurant has an affordable bar menu. With many international backpackers and other tourists passing through eShowe and stopping off at the hotel, it is always an interesting stop. After lunch drive to the Fort Nongqayi Museum Village. This complex comprises the Zululand Historical Museum, the Vukani Zulu Culture Museum, The Mission Museum Chapel and a display of prisoners’ art done through the Phoenix Zululand Foundation. Do not forget to pop into the Crafts for Africa shop with their wide variety of books and other curios. Unfortunately, the Adam’s Outpost Restaurant is closed on Saturday. Those doing this trip on a Sunday will need to book in advance for their very popular Sunday lunch here. Guides are available and these will once again enlighten the visitor on culture and history. The final stop for the day is sundowners on Signal Hill outside town. The views are spectacular, the wind bracing and there is nothing quite like a toasting to a great day as the sun sets over the hills. To visit this site, it is recommended that Richard Chennells is contacted to make arrangements, as the site is not signposted and is in an isolated area. This is only a very small selection of the sites in the fascinating historical, cultural and natural town of eShowe.

Made @ Home Tea Garden
Kangella Street (you cannot miss it). 8am to 2pm.

Dlinza Forest Aerial Boardwalk
Opening hours 1 September to 30 April 6am to 5pm; 1 May to 31 August 7am to 5pm. Closed Christmas Day. Entrance fee (includes guide) - Adults R50, Children 5-18 years R5; Children U5 free.

Fort Nongqayi Museum Village
Opening hours - Monday-Friday: 7.30am to 4pm. Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays: 9am to 4pm. Closed on Christmas Day, Day of Goodwill, New Year’s Day and Good Friday. Entrance fee: Adults R20; Scholars R4

Signal Hill
Contact Richard Chennells 082 7759998 or 035 4744919.