TOURISM INFORMATION
Richmond Community Tourism Organisation / Richmond Municipality
Tel 033 212 2476
Richmond Community Tourism
PO Box 196, Richmond, 3780
Tel 033 212 2445
E-mail nk@futurenet.org.za
South of Pietermaritsburg in Kwazulu-Natal, the picturesque Route 56 takes you through the farming towns of Richmond, Byrne and Ixopo. At the hub of the southern midlands is Richmond, on the banks of the Lovu River.
Richmond and Byrne were once part of King Shaka's hunting grounds. It is now home of the Bhaca people, the Byrne settlers who arrived from Britain in 1850, and Indian families who arrived in 1860.
The settlers who did stay on endured much hardship. They were shipwrecked in Durban, upon arrival and had no possessions to start off with.
There is a very interesting Buddhist Retreat Center, situated at the top of a valley 5km out of Ixopo, at a turnoff from the Richmond road. A number of historic buildings give Richmond its particular character. There is the St. Mary's Church, the Old Courthouse, Bambay House, the Madrassi Mosque, and the Richmond, Byrne & District Museum, The fist girls college, the oldest Anglican church and country primary school in the province were built here. Richmond also boasts the oldest tennis club in SA. Six km west of Richmond is Blarney Cottage, the last unaltered settler home in the area, dating back go 1878.
For the outdoor lovers there is the scenic drive to the Hella-Hella Pass, across the Komasi River, about 24-km southeast of Richmond. You will drive past the tidy plantations of the Sapekoe Tea Estates. Between the Hella-Hella and the road to Ixopo, you will find the 80m Qunu Falls. The Tala Game Ranch, off the Mid-Illovo road, offers wonderful game viewing. The area also offers facilities for fishing, boating, sailing and picnicking and well as hiking trails and horse-trail rides.
