Wartburg, Natal Midlands

This little piece of Germany is surrounded by hamlets of definitive origin: Harburg, New Hanover, Kirchdorf, Lillienthal, Schroeders and Hermannsburg. Wartburg itself is named after the castle in Eisenach where Dr Martin Luther translated the bible into German and the village crest also depicts the immigrants' arrival by sailing ship, the Luther Rose and the call to 'pray and work'.

Wartburg is located right in the centre of the KwaZulu Natal Midlands. Settled in the 1850s by German families, today the local industry is mainly mealies (maize), sugar cane, timber and kiwi fruit although there is an increasing arts and crafts community. Many of the inhabitants of Wartburg are now fourth generation Germans and it is not unusual to hear German spoken around Town.

Recreational facilities in the village include bowls, tennis, 9 holes golf and scenic walks. The Albert Falls nature reserve offers fishing, watersports and hiking. Ask your host to drive you to the Valley of 1000 hills, “Devils Slit” and “Peters Gorge”. Here you will enjoy breathtaking views over green hills and dales. Within an hours drive you will also reach the sunny coast for a swim or just to relax on the beach.