KwaZulu-Natal
Colenso
The Colenso (RE Stevenson) Museum, situated in the old Tollkeeper's House (1879), has many historical exhibits including a model of the Battle of Colenso.
Toll Road
Tel: (08642) 2111
Fax: (08642) 2227
Dundee
The Talana Museum is on the only battlefield in SA where buildings from the battle still exist. It incorporates an international glass museum and a national coal museum in park-like grounds.
Vryheid Rd
Tel: (0341) 22654
Fax: (0341) 22376
Mon-Fri: 8:00-16:00
Sat: 10:00-16:00
Sun: 12:00-16:00
Closed: Good Friday, 25/26 Dec.
The Blood River Battlefield features a replica laager of 64 wagons on the site where the Voortrekkers defeated a Zulu army on 16 December 1838 and a hall with museum displays.
Off the Dundee-Vryheid road (R33) 48 km from Dundee
Tel: (034) 632-1695
Open daily
The Ncome Museum and Monument Complex across the river opposite the Blood River Battlefield
wagons is a memorial to the Zulu army.
Off the Dundee-Vryheid road (R33)
Open daily
Durban
The Campbell Collection, University of Natal, is a university linked library and museums collection concentrating on the history of South East Africa. It includes 18th to 19th century Cape furniture, 19th century topographical paintings, 20th century African art works and vast collections of the material cultural artefacts from the indigenous African cultures of Southern Africa (costume, woodcarving, pottery, etc.)
220 Marriott Rd, Durban, 4001
Tel: (031) 207-3711
Fax: (031) 29-1622
Mon-Fri: 08:00-16:30
The Durban Natural Science Museum features displays on the Earth and its history and on life on earth both past and present, with special emphasis on the unique fauna and flora of South Africa.
City Hall, Smith Str.
Tel: (031) 300-6211
Fax: (031) 300-6302
Mon-Ssat: 8:30-16:00
Sun: 11:00-17:00
Public Holidays:
11:00-16:00
Closed: Good Friday & 25 December
The Geology Education Museum focuses on an introduction to minerals, rocks and fossils, as well as structural and economic geology, and the geology of KwaZulu-Natal.
George Campbell Building, Dept of Geology, University of Natal King George Ave, Durban, 4041
Web: http://www.und.ac.za/und/geology/gem1.html
Tel: (031) 260-2524
Fax: (031) 260-2280
E-mail: gem@geology.und.ac.za
Mon-Fri: 09:00-12:00; 14:00-16:00 - preferably by appointment
The KwaMuhle Museum offers an exciting programme of exhibitions, workshops, cultural events, videos and educational tours portraying the vibrant history and culture of 20th century Durban and KwaZulu-Natal.
130 Ordnance Rd
Tel: (031) 300-6313
Fax: (031) 3006312
Mon-Sat: 8:30-16:00
Sun: 11:00-16:00
Closed: Good Friday &
Christmas Day
The Old Court House Museum portrays the rich history of early Durban and KwaZulu- Natal through fascinating replicas of Durban's early settlements.
Aliwal Street
Tel: (031) 300-6313
Fax: (031) 300-6312
Mon-Sat: 8:30-16:00
Sun: 11:00-16:00
Closed: Good Friday & Christmas Day
The Old House Museum, a typical veranda house, with its notable architecture and fascinating articles of old furniture and fittings, depicts the life-style of Durban's Victorian settlers.
St Andrews Street
Tel: (031) 300-6313
Fax: (031) 300-6312
Mon-Sat: 8:30-16:00
Sun: 11:00-16:00
Closed: Good Friday & Christmas Day
The Port Natal Maritime Museum portrays aspects of the maritime history of Durban and KwaZulu-Natal. Highlights are three large multi-ton vessels and smaller craft and the Brittania room, with its interactive and creative displays and videos.
Aliwal Street Pier
Tel: (031) 300-6313
Fax: (031)
300-6312
Mon-Sat: 8:30-16:00
Sun: 11:00-16:00
Closed: Good Friday & Christmas Day
The Warrior's Gate MOTH Museum is a rich collection of militaria focusing on South African involvement in the two World Wars.
Old Fort Rd
Tel: (031) 307-3337
Tues-Fri: 11:00-15:00
Sat: 10:00-12:00
Sun: 11:00-15:00
Eshowe
The Vukani Museum exhibits a collection of Zulu arts and crafts collected from the region over a period of time.
Osborn Road
Tel: (0354) 75274
Kwabhekithunga is a traditional Zulu uMuzi (village).
Stewarts Farm
Tel: (035) 460-0644
Fax: (035) 460-0867
The Zululand Historical Museum, set in an old fort, displays Zulu cultural items and information on the early Norwegian missionaries
Nongqai Road
Tel: (0354) 41141
Fax: (0354) 74733
Mon-Fri: 07:30-16:00
Weekends: 09:00-16:00
Estcourt
Fort Durnford, housed in the beautiful imposing, military fort
designed by Colonel Anthony Durnford and built by Mr Jeromia Faulds (1874), contains exhibits on military history, fossils, bird eggs, the Moorleigh mission station and an Amangwe homestead.
Kemps Rd
Tel: (0363) 23000
Fax: (0363) 33-5829
Mon-Fri: 09:00-12:00; 13:00 - 16:00
Sat-Sun: by appointment
Public Holidays: closed
Greytown
The Greytown Museum, a historical monument, with a giant fig tree planted by former Prime Minister General Louis Botha' s sister, is crammed with items from a variety of cultures. It specialises in the Bambatha Rebellion.
Scott/Durban Str
Tel: (0334) 31171 ext 128
Fax: (0334) 71393
Mon-Fri: 8:00-16:00
Sat & Sun: closed
Hermannsburg
The thematic displays at the Mission House Museum depict the arrival of the first missionaries and tradesmen in Natal (1854) sent out by the Hermannsburg Mission Society in Germany, and of German settlers who followed soon after.
School building, Deutsche Schule
Tel: (03344) 50405
Fax: (03344) 50706
Mon-Fri: 9:00-12:00
Weekends and public holidays by appointment
Himeville
The Himeville Museum is in a fort that was originally built for the protection of local settlers and was subsequently a prison for 70 years. The rich history of the district is reflected in the buildings and artefacts on display
Arbuckle Str.
Tel: (033) 702-1184
Fax: (033) 702-1060
Wed: 10:00-12:00
Fri-Sun: 10:00-12:00
Hluhluwe
Dumazulu Traditional Village is a living museum where manufacturing traditions and Zulu dancing are demonstrated.
Near Hluhluwe village
Tel: (031) 337-4222
Fax: (035) 562-0205
Nqutu
The evocative Isandlwana Historic Reserve and Battlefield depicts the most famous battle of the Anglo-Zulu Wars.
Off the Nqutu-Babanango Road
Tel: (0358) 79-1223
Mon-Sun:
09:00-16:00
Kokstad
The East Griqualand Museum has exhibitions on Griqua history, concentrating on the Griqua trek from Phillipolis to Kokstad and the establishment of the town of Kokstad.
Main Street
Tel: (037) 727-3133
Fax: (037) 727-3676
Mon-Fri: 9:00-13:00; 14:00-16:00
Sat-Sun: by appointment
Public Holidays: closed
Ladysmith
The world renowned Ladysmith Siege Museum depicts the events leading up to the siege and the siege itself through photographs, relics and a diorama.
Murchison Street, between Post Office & Town Hall
Tel: (0361) 22231 Ext 318
Fax: (0361) 22992
Mon-Fri: 8:00-16:00
Sat: 9:00-13:00
Matatiele
The Matatiele Museum has exhibits on local prehistory and on the history and cultures of the town and district from the Stone Age to the present.
Tel: (0373) 737-3287
Fax: (0373) 737-3611
Mon-Fri: 09:00-12:00; 14:00-16:00
Weekends by
appointment
Mgungundlovu
The Mgungundlovu Museum is on the site of King Dingane's headquarters. Extensive archaeological research has been carried out and huts reconstructed.
Off the Melmoth-Vryheid Road
Tel: (03545) 74902
Mon-Sun & Public Holidays: 08:00-17:00
Pinetown
The Pinetown Museum is a multi-cultural local history collection representing all the country's cultures. The arrangement is chronological, depicting local history from 100,000 years ago to the present.
Old Main Rd/Crompton Street
Tel: (031) 718-2730
Fax: (031) 718-2732
Mon-Thurs: 9:00-17:00
Fri: 9:00-16:00
Sat: 9:00-12:00
Closed Sundays and public holidays
Pietermaritzburg
The Macrorie House Museum contains a comprehensive collection of Victoriana and Ecclesiastica housed in Bishop Macrorie's original double-story home. Within the house is a miniature chapel (complete with ghosts).
11 Loop St,
Pietermaritzburg
Tel: (0331) 94-2161
Tues-Fri: 9:00-13:00
Sat: closed
Sun: 11:00-16:00
The Natal Museum is home to one of South Africa's great national collections. A popular tourist and educational amenity and an acclaimed centre of scholarly research, it offers a feast of attractive, user-friendly displays. Exhibitions feature a wealth of animal life, bushman rock art, a marine gallery, African cultural products, settler history and much more.
237 Loop Street
Web: http://www.nmsa.org.za
Tel: (0331) 45-1404
Fax: (0331) 45-0561
E-mail: jvanheer@nmsa.org.za
Mon-Fri: 9:00-16:30
The Voortrekker Museum consists of the Church of the Vow and Andries Pretorius House. Exhibitions feature the Great Trek and the interaction between the Trekkers and the people with whom they came in contact.
cnr Longmarket & Boshoff Streets
Tel:
(0331) 94-6834/5
Fax: (0331) 42-4100
Mon-Fri: 08:00-16:00
Sat: 08:00-12:00
Port Shepstone
The largely maritime exhibit at the Port Shepstone Museum focuses on the early years of Port Shepstone when the harbour played an integral part in the development of Southern Natal and East Griqualand. There is a shipwreck display and a map of shipwreck sites.
Athlone Drive
Tel: (039) 682-1507
Fax: (039) 682-5003
Mon-Fri: 09:00-16:00
Rorke's Drift
The Rorke's Drift Museum is in a rural setting about 45km from the nearest town (Dundee). It is designed to give visitors a thorough introduction to the Zulu wars, while focusing specifically on the defence of Rorke's Drift.
Tel: (03425) 687
Every day (incl public holidays): 8:00-17:00
Scottsville
The unique Comrades Marathon Museum depicts the history of this legendary race and celebrates the great athletes who have enhanced its international
reputation.
18 Connaught Rd.
Tel: (0331) 94-3510
Fax: (0331) 42-7548
Mon-Fri: 8:30-13:00
Sat-Sun and public holidays: closed
Ulundi
The KwaZulu Cultural Museum houses displays on archaeology and Zulu culture. A site museum focuses on Ondini (King Cetshwayo's residence) and on the history of the Anglo-Zulu War.
King Cetshwayo Highway
Tel: (0358) 79-1223
Fax: (0358) 79-1386
Mon-Sun & public holidays: 08:00-16:00
Closed: Good Friday & Christmas Day
Vryheid
The Vryheid Museum consists of the Nieuwe Republiek Museum (council chambers with fort and jail), the old Carnegie Library (local history), and Lukas Meijer House (a period house museum with exhibits).
Landdrost Street
Tel: (0381) 81-2133 Ext 287
Fax: (0381) 80-9637
Mon-Fri: 7:30-16:00
Weekends by appointment
Public holidays: closed
Weenen
The Weenen Museum, a Voortrekker museum in a Voortrekker
town, houses a display of old Voortrekker utensils, dresses, and so on in a building dating back to the 1840s.
Andries Pretorius Street
Tel: (0363) 41855
Fax: (0363) 41901
Mon-Fri: 10:00-12:00; 14:00-16:00
Sat: 8:00-10:00
Sun and public holidays: closed
Winterton
The Winterton Museum, which has an excellent library on the Anglo-Boer War, also features local history and an Amazizi replica homestead and agricultural implements.
Church Street
Tel: (036) 488-1885
Fax: (036) 488-1194
Mon-Th: 09:00-15:00
Sat: 09:00-12:00
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