Dundee
Description
The town of Dundee is situated in a picturesque valley of the Biggarsberg Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Situated roughly halfway between Durban and Johannesburg, with well-established road, rail and air infrastructure, it is a lovely detour off the busy N3 highway and offers a variety of interesting and unusual places to visit. Browse our listing of gracious establishments that offer an excellent stay in Dundee.
Dundee is a small mining town that was formed in 1882 after the Boers discovered rich coal deposits close to the surface. It was named after the hometown of a pioneering Scottish settler, Peter Smith. In 1889, Smith founded Dundee Coal Company and established his company at the London Stock Exchange. Dundee soon grew into a booming town with stately homes. Pioneer traders from the Indian sub-continent settled here during the following decade, when Dundee became the meeting place of seven roads between the hinterland and coast of Africa.
Today Dundee forms part of the Endumeni Local Municipality, the geographic centre of northern KwaZulu-Natal. Endumeni gets its name from the highest peak of the Biggarsberg Mountain range, Indumeni, which means “where the thunder rollsâ€. Other historical mountains surrounding Dundee include Mpati, meaning “the place of good watersâ€, and Talana “the shelf where precious items are keptâ€. There are many trails where you can see caves and shelters with rock paintings, bearing evidence of San people who lived in the area 4,000 to 5,000 years ago.
Many provincial and national government departments have branches in Dundee, which has a fascinating and multi-faceted history. Visitors can learn more about the area’s cultural, economic, and military history at the Talana Museum on the outskirts of Dundee. Visits can also be made to a number of Battlefields such as the Battle of Blood River, Rorke's Drift, Isandlwana, and Talana.
Dundee is home to many skilled artists and crafters, who can be seeing making pottery, woodwork, traditional Zulu beadwork, hand-knotted carpets, and woven grass baskets in their own environment. Although coal mining was once the primary industry in northern KwaZulu-Natal, the main industry in the area today is agriculture. Cattle ranching is the main farming activity followed by sheep, dairy, and crop farming. The local livestock sales are some of the most lucrative in KwaZulu-Natal.
Many of the gracious and stately old homes in town and on the farms surrounding Dundee have been restored and renovated into beautiful hotels, guest houses, game lodges, and B&Bs to offer a tranquil stay for discerning travellers through the area. Feel free to browse through our listing to find your perfect match.
