Bothas Hill, Drummond, Camperdown & towards Richmond.

Parts of the various Saunters follow the challenging Comrades Marathon Route: the ultra-marathon which links Durban and Pietermaritzburg. Along Saunter 3, we follow a large chunk of the route and you will see the wall of plaques to those who managed it 10 times or more.

The views get more dramatic here as you wind up towards Monteseel with one of South Africa’s most famous rock climbing cliffs. Stretching out into the distance is the stunning Valley of 1000 Hills and KwaZulu-Natal’s Table Mountain forms a backdrop to unspoilt bush further along. There is a wonderful loop to Byrne, a Scottish Settler Valley.

It is also the start of protected places for wildlife. There are bush lodges and game reserves and it is all malaria free. We pass and visit the historic iNchanga Station and Museum with its ghosts of young English soldiers, dreaming of victory against the Boers as they tumble from trains into ox wagons and returning with the tatters of shredded dreams and bodies.

An outstanding Community project is on this route. The crafters’ and artists’ studios include a ceramicist making small wildlife pieces, a puzzle maker, a painter of rural scenes and South African landscapes and more. Each is so different and all make this a very pleasant saunter.

For those seeking some physical action: you can bum slide into a river in a beautiful picnic spot, canoe with wild life around you, go white water rafting, zipline or learn archery and there are wonderful walks. Visit a rural community to experience rural life and pace. Or, simply settle down to watch the wildlife, exercise your right arm in lifting a drink and get pampered by the Spa team.