Pietermaritzburg climate summary

Pietermaritzburg lies on 631m above sea level Pietermaritzburg's climate is classified as warm and temperate. When compared with winter, the summers have much more rainfall. The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is Cwa. The temperature here averages 18.2 °C | 64.7 °F. Precipitation here is about 897 mm | 35.3 inch per year.

Introduction

The need for supplementary tours is very necessary when considering flying adventures. If for any reason a particular adventure cannot be held due to adverse weather conditions (which will sometimes crop up particularly during the summer months) we are very aware that our clients would need to be occupied with something else. In this regard, the Lincoln Aviator has teamed up with fellow hospitality friends in the Tourism space to provide quality alternative excursions which are not weather dependant.

Procedures

The procedures to be followed in the selection of a particular supplementary tour are as follows:
• On the first day of your arrival, and the ensuing days, in the event of cancellation of the tour due to adverse weather you will be asked to nominate a “Singing in the Rain” tour for the next day. The tour group will discuss this, and nominate a particular tour from the list below.
• If the weather forecast for the next day indicates that there is a chance that the tour will need to be cancelled, we will advise the organisers of the “Singing in the Rain” events accordingly of your alternative choice of Tour.
• If on the day of the intended tour, it is decided not to engage in any flying activity due to adverse weather conditions, your nominated “Singing in the Rain” tour will be followed.
• Every effort will be made to complete all your flying adventures for any tour operation booked with us, even if this means that we have to extend your stay with us by one day. T&C's applies.

Singing in the Rain – Tour activities

Tour No.1

Tour Itinerary Durban Beach Front – Ushaka Marine World Tour

Departure Pietermaritzburg: 09.00
Arrival Durban: 10.00
Visit Ushaka Marine World Aquarium, one of the largest in the world, including a Dolphin Show with Seals and Penguins. Enjoy some time in the shark tank, to be surrounded by sharks when eating your meal. This is a very unique experience. One is able to Swim with the fish in the aquarium, or watch the turtles under water. Enjoy a meal in a restaurant that looks like a ship wreck, or perhaps enjoy a tube ride on a meandering river.

Spend some time at the Ushaka Shopping Centre, find amazing souvenirs from Africa, look at some fashion boutiques and visit the Reptile House, where snakes and other reptiles can be seen.
Return to Pietermaritzburg: Departure 16:00 – Arrival at Pietermaritzburg 17.00 depending on the
traffic. Later departures can be arranged by request.

Tour No.2

Tour Itinerary Durban Port and Indian / African Market

Departure Pietermaritzburg: 09.00
Arrival Durban: 10.00
Visit the port of Durban, one of the largest ports in the world.The Container Terminal is one of the 3 largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Enjoy a boat cruise in the port and weather permitting to venture further out into the bay to have an amazing view of the Durban Skyline and Beachfront. You will drive through and stop at the famous landmarks Durban has to offer, which include the Playhouse, the City Hall and Post Office and Florida Road which has six art Galleries. No tour of Durban would be complete without visiting the Sugar terminal building which is one of the largest in the world.
We stopover at the famous “Indian Market” in Victoria Street Market which was established over 150 years ago. A highlight of this tour is to buy some amazing Indian spices from a World famous trader operating in the market, (Buddy) who was featured on FOX TV. Perhaps stop to purchase some silk for an amazing Sari or have some clothing or a suit made by one of the tailors. Enjoy a Late Lunch at Indian Summer Restaurant in Durban, famous for its North Indian cuisine.
Return to Pietermaritzburg: 17.00 – Arrival 18:00

Tour No.3

Tour Itinerary Durban – Umhlanga / Phoenix Settlement

Departure Pietermaritzburg: 08:00
Arrival Umhlanga: 09:00
Visit to Umhlanga Rocks Promenade and Beach Front, enjoy the modern architecture this suburb has to offer. Visit Gateway Shopping Centre which is one of the largest shopping malls in the Southern Hemisphere.
Walk along the beach front, while experiencing nature at its best. We visit the Umhloti Beach a few kilometres away from Umhlanga, which has safe swimming, abundant rock pools and endless beaches which invite you to spend a few hours of relaxation, in the Indian Ocean.

Before we return to Pietermaritzburg, we visit the Phoenix Settlement, which is an amazing excursion into the history of the Indian population of Durban. The first Indian settlers arrived in 1860. Originally they were contract workers for the British Government, which lead to the establishment of one of the largest sugar cane industries in the world. Today Durban has the largest Indian population outside of Mumbai. In Phoenix we stop and visit some Temples and a Market while experiencing the Indian culture of Durban.
Return to Pietermaritzburg: 17.00 Arrival 18:00

Tour No.4

Tour Itinerary Pietermaritzburg – Sani Pass Drakensburg Mountains – Mokhotlong Lesotho

Departure Pietermaritzburg: 07.00 Arrival Underberg 09.00
Departure for the Sani Pass Experience at 9.30 from Underberg.
PLEASE DON’T FORGET YOUR PASSPORTS – as we will be crossing the border into Lesotho Experience a beautiful drive along the Drakensberg Mountains which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Sani Pass road from Underberg is very winding going up to the top of the Pass which is at an altitude of 2876 m. We drive over large rocks and cross tiny streams on our way up. Enjoy a visit to a Basotho village, and eat some homemade bread. Support the local people by buying some handmade crafts. Lunch is served at the highest pub in Africa, which affords some amazing views of the entire Mountain Range and valleys. It is advisable to take a warm jacket and clothing on this excursion. If you have an existing medical condition, or have a neck or back operation before this tour, please consult your doctor accordingly.
Return to Pietermaritzburg: 16:00/17:00 - an experience of a life time!

Tour No.5

Tour Itinerary Pietermaritzburg to Hluhluwe Game Reserve / Cape Vidal – iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

2 nights: Departure: 06.00 Arrival iSimangaliso – St Lucia Boat Cruise 09:30
2 hour Boat cruise on one of the largest Estuarine systems in Africa. South Africa´s first World Heritage Site. Home to approx. 800 Hippos and 1000 Nile crocodiles. Abundant bird life. After the cruise we enter the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, called Isimangaliso which is a Zulu word, meaning a “miracle” because of the beautiful landscape, first observed by the original inhabitants of the land, the Zulu, to Shaka their king. The Park was proclaimed a world heritage site because of the rich biodiversity, unique ecosystems and natural beauty occurring in a relatively small area. Huge diversity of flora and fauna, ranging from coral reef, sandy beaches to subtropical dune forests, savannahs and wetlands. Animals that might be seen here, include elephant, leopard, black and white rhino, cape buffalo and in season, whales and dolphins. Sometimes even leatherback and loggerhead turtles. Overnight in Hluhluwe or St Lucia depending on availability of accommodation.
2nd Day: After breakfast embark on a 5-hour game drive in an open Safari vehicle at the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, the oldest game reserve in South Africa, which was established 1895. With a size of approximating to that of Hong Kong (1104 km), it is home to the big 5. Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, Lion and the highest concentration of Rhino. The Rhino are endemic to this area. During the reign of the Zulu King Shaka, numbers of Rhino dwindled to only six, which lead to the King banning the slaughter of these animals. This was the first and very successful move to introduce nature conversation which occurred nearly 200 years ago.
In the afternoon we leave this magnificent area of KwaZulu-Natal and return to Pietermaritzburg.
Arrival in Pietermaritzburg between 18:00/19:00 time permitting due to traffic and stops.

Why not sign up at Pietermaritzburg Aero Club and train for your Private Pilot’s license, this is ONLY the beginning of your Journey as a fully-fledged pilot!