The Valley of 1000 Hills at a glance
The Valley of 1000 Hills lies inland from Durban. The best-known visitor stop is PheZulu Safari Park, at 190 Old Main Road in Botha's Hill, about 35 km from the city centre. It offers a Zulu dancing show, a reptile park and wildlife drives in a private area. The distance is short, so it works as a half-day excursion from Durban.
This is a short outing, not a Hluhluwe-iMfolozi safari. The drive lasts about an hour in a private area, and it is run by a private operator. This guide is independent and has no link to PheZulu. Prices below are the operator's 2026 rates.
Prices in 2026
Per person, in South African rand. Children are those under twelve.
| Offer | Adult | Child under 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Zulu dancing | R200 | R140 |
| Dancing plus Reptile Park | R260 | R190 |
| Reptile Park | R75 | R60 |
| Standard wildlife drive | R320 | R220 |
| Sunset safari | R440 per person for 3 to 10 people, or R1,100 for a couple | – |
The combined dancing and reptile ticket saves R15 for an adult and R10 for a child compared with buying both separately. The sunset safari must be booked and paid for in advance.
Our picks: Valley of 1000 Hills
Two trips that include the PheZulu Cultural Village.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Valley of 1000 Hills and Durban tours
Guided trips from Durban, including the Valley of 1000 Hills, with live prices and availability.
The dancing show and how to see it
The Zulu dancing show is a staged programme for visitors. It is not an everyday scene from Zulu communities. The operator describes a talk about huts and artefacts after the dance. Shows start at 10:00, 11:30, 14:00 and 15:30.
Treat it as you would a performance. Applaud, listen to the guide, and ask before you photograph individual performers. Remember that the people on stage are working. If you want more context on Zulu history in the city, the KwaMuhle Museum in Durban covers segregation and forced removals.
The daily timetable
Times published by the operator. They can change with the season and the weather.
| Programme | Times | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zulu dancing show | 10:00, 11:30, 14:00, 15:30 | A talk about huts and artefacts follows |
| Standard wildlife drive | 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30 | About 1 hour, at least 2 people, depends on weather |
| Sunset safari | Evening | Book and pay in advance |
| Park opening hours | 08:00 to 16:30 | Closed on Christmas Day and on some race days |
Wildlife drives and the sunset safari
What the drives involve.
Standard drive
A drive takes about an hour. Departures are at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30 and 15:30. At least 2 people are needed to go, the drive depends on the weather, and places are given in the order of arrival.
Sunset safari
The sunset drive costs R440 per person for groups of 3 to 10, or R1,100 as a price for two. Book and pay ahead.
Who cannot join
The operator excludes babies under 6 months, pregnant women in the third trimester and frail people from the wildlife drives, because of the terrain.
Closed days
The park closes on Christmas Day, for the Amashova cycle race and for the Comrades Marathon. Check the dates for your year before you travel.
Getting there and combining the trip
Practical points.
By car or tour
The distance is about 35 km, but the drive time depends on traffic. Use a hire car, a pre-booked taxi or a guided tour. Do not rely on hailing a car in the street. The German Foreign Office recommends reliable pre-booked taxi companies. See our safety guide.
A half-day plan
Start in the morning, pick one show and one drive, and add the reptile park if you have the time. Check how long each item takes when you arrive. Then return to the beachfront or add uShaka Marine World on another day.
If you want a real safari
For large wildlife, the next step is Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, about 280 km north. Read the park guide and compare the options on the tours page.
Valley of 1000 Hills: frequently asked questions
How far is the Valley of 1000 Hills from Durban?
PheZulu in Botha's Hill is about 35 km from the Durban city centre. The drive time depends on traffic.
How much does PheZulu cost?
In 2026 the Zulu dancing show is R200 for adults and R140 for children under twelve, the reptile park is R75 and R60, and a standard wildlife drive is R320 and R220.
When are the dancing shows?
At 10:00, 11:30, 14:00 and 15:30. The park is open every day from 08:00 to 16:30, except on closed days such as Christmas.
Is the Zulu dancing show authentic?
It is a programme put on for visitors. It is a performance with a talk about huts and artefacts, not a look at everyday life.
Is the park suitable for children?
Children under twelve have their own prices for the dancing show, the reptile park and the standard drive. The operator excludes babies under 6 months and pregnant women in the third trimester from the wildlife drives.
Can I see big game in the Valley of 1000 Hills?
The drive is a short one in a private area. For large wildlife, plan a full day at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, and note that no sighting can be promised.