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I am always curious as to what other intrepid local explorers think about the place that I call home, the Valley of a 1000 Hills. With that in mind I got in touch with Bronwyn Marcus of Unfold Durban and put her on the spot; what were her favorite breakfast spots in the Valley of 1000 Hills? This is what Bronwyn had to say.

1000 Hills is the gateway to the midlands and is home to many restaurants and cafes. If you are looking for a spot for a romantic breakfast for two, a family outing or to celebrate a birthday. Here are 3 of the my best weekend spots that serve great food and equally great scenery.

Yes Chef Deli

Many do not know that the 1000 Hills Chef school has its own deli. They are open on a Saturday and Serve Breakfast till 11 am. Unique artisanal slices of bread available. You can choose from sourdough, rye or seeded whole wheat bread.

Eat your breakfast with a spectacular view overlooking the 1000 Hills landscape. Your food is prepared by young chefs in training who have known to go on to overseas establishments such as The Ritz and Carlton Hotel group.

Willow Way Manor

Willow Way Manor is Hillcrest’s secret hidden gem. A family-run restaurant on 5 acre garden in the heart of Hillcrest. Serving your breakfasts, lunches, coffees and the best cakes.

They are open from Tuesdays to Sundays at 8 am – 3 pm. As you drive in you pass a small pond and the overall aesthetics of the grounds are beautiful. Your children can enjoy a round of Putt-Putt while you have breakfast. The gorgeously manicured gardens are a perfect backdrop for selfies or family pictures.

They have a signature Windmill on the property making you feel as if you have left the city entirely. Picnic Baskets can be arranged and supplied by the cafe if you would prefer to enjoy the grounds.

Bona Terra

You can enjoy a simple alfresco breakfast Tuesdays to Thursdays until 11:30 am at Bona Terra. Situated in Assagay, just off Kassier Road. As you walk in you pass a lush nursery full of beautiful plants.

There is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating as well as a large play area for the children. Each plate of delicious food is beautifully and colorfully presented. They offer good deals for pensioners as well, so an outing for the whole family.

What’s the quickest and easiest way to tell you about how amazing the Valley of a 1000 Hills is? It has to be video right? Well, not only are we giving the video, but on top of that we’re setting the whole thing music – now there’s a thing!

It was out our annual AGM not that long ago, held at Macnut Farm in Assagay that one of our wonderful directors of the CTO, Hlengiwe Zulu of Siyakwamukela B&B in Bothas Hill, came up with the idea of honouring the State Presidents request for “Jerusalema videos”.

Next up came Jane Candow of Lindisfarne B&B, a talented musical performer in her own right, who then began pulling together all the jigsaw pieces that would eventually snap into place revealing the completed video.

And without further ado, the finished project, the Valley of a 1000 Hills CTO video.

Give yourselves a great big pat on the back

Let’s be perfectly clear here though, not one second of the video would have been put together without the help of our amazing community tourism members, their staff, volunteers and those that very graciously allowed us to use their footage (you know who you are).

In no particular order, the 1000 Hills CTO would like to thank the following people and organisations.

• PheZulu Safari Park
• Kearsney College
• 1000 Hills Craft Village
• Beryl Johnson (and her horse)
• The mountainbikers
• Lindisfarne staff
• The Just Dance line dancers
• Willow Way Manor
• Bush Junkies
• Tim Brown Tours
• Cybele Eco Tours
• The 1000 Hills Chef School
• Alverstone Conservancy
• Shongweni Farmers Market
• Siyakwamukela B&B
• Umgeni Steam Rail
• The road cyclists
• The marathon runners
• Chantecler Hotel
• Summerveld Jockey Academy
• WozaMoya, Embocraft and the Hillcrest AIDS Center
• Macnut wedding chapel
• Bonna Terra restaurant
• Camelot Golf Estate
• Ammazulu Palace
• The 1000 Hills CTO directors for their very loose interpretatation of the Jerusalema dance (lessons definitely required)

To anyone that it not mentioned in the list above, it is not intentional and an oversight of the authors (so my) hazy memory.

Beyond the bounds of the world class beaches of South Africa’s Playground (as the city of Durban is affectionately known), it’s vibrant night life and unique foodways, there are other amazing places to visit in the Valley of 1000 Hills, only 20 minutes west from the Durban City centre.

The Valley of 1000 Hills is named after the many hills, cliffs and valleys that rise up from the banks of the Umgeni River as it flows from the distant Drakensberg Mountains to the Indian Ocean. The valley has been home to the Zulu people for centuries, with many continuing to practice and live their unique traditional lifestyle. The hybrid European and Zulu culture is what makes it the most desirable place to visit.

Experience both traditional and modern world renown Zulu culture, from customs to beliefs within urban to peri-urban, and rural to semi-rural settings. Enjoy a visit to the Sangoma (traditional healer/fortune teller), local curio shops for souvenirs, safari and reptile park experience and talk with village elders.

Fancy to live like a local for a day? Then visit our township shisanyamas for a braai (barbeque) or a night life experience or a stay over with a real Zulu family for a night.

World class B & B’s and boutique hotels offer the most needed relaxation for travellers, most of which are located within drivable and walkable distances to a number of upmarket shopping centers and local restaurants for both delicious food and live shows. Guided or self-guided tours are on offer for hiking, canoeing, fishing, rock climbing, horse riding, quad and mountain biking.

Take home a little gift of the 1000 Hills when you visit the local craft markets and support local weavers and bead manufacturers. Annual events such as the Comrades Marathon, the Amashova Durban Classic and Duzi Canoe Marathon all wind their way through this picturesque area drawing visitors from across the globe. Every Saturday morning the local ‘Farmers market’ takes place and is a must for any visitor. Art galleries, botanical gardens, museums, craft markets, micro-breweries and a wealth of history of the region are scattered around the area. On certain Sundays, one can take a trip back in time on one of the last remaining “Puffing Billy’s” that puffs through the Thousand Hills.

Welcome to the Valley of a 1000 Hills

The Valley of 1000 Hills is named after the many hills, cliffs and valleys that rise up from the banks of the Umgeni River as it flows from the distant Drakensberg Mountains to the Indian Ocean.

The diverse area combines the luxury of laid-back country living with an indigenous culture on its doorstep. The valley has been home to the Zulu people for centuries, with many continuing to practice and live out their traditional lifestyle. The Valley of 1000 Hills is KwaZulu-Natal’s doorway, situated close to the beautiful beaches of the Indian Ocean as well as the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands further inland. On the crest of the hills overlooking the valley are the leafy suburbs and village centers which have astonishing views and a year-round holiday climate of warm summers and cool winters.

These villages offer all the creature comforts one would expect from a holiday destination including spa’s, B & B’, fine dining, sophisticated shopping centers, outdoor adventure and local arts and crafts unique to the area. If you’re looking for a break from the fast pace of everyday life or the exhilaration of the outdoors, the Valley of 1000 Hills is the place for you. We trust that you will enjoy your stay and come back again and again.

Getting to the Valley of a 1000 Hills

From Durban and off the N2 North and South, a short twenty minute drive inland sees you passing through the beautiful leafy suburbs and the climbing up to the beginning of the 1000 Hills routes. One can either take the main N3 road or the M13 scenic route and explore the well signposted Tour routes.

Coming down from inland on the N3 highway and +- 45 kilometers past the City of Pietermaritzburg at the Cato Ridge village off-ramp lies the vast majestic valley with numerous lookout stops.