Ashburton Aloe Festival 2024

Spend a day in nature with the whole family at the Ashburton Aloe Festival with five venues open as a meander over the weekend of the 6th & 7th July.

Experience the peace and tranquillity of this beautiful bushveld area, enjoy being amidst its wilderness landscapes and wildlife for a programme of conservation and environmental talks, guided and self-guided walks and activities for the whole family in the beautiful Lower Mpushini Valley Conservancy, in Ashburton East, just 10km east of Pietermaritzburg Five venues act as gateways to the valley.

Venue A:

At the Ashburton Training Centre.

The Ashburton Market will be open both days this year between 9am – 4pm with over 80 stall holders, Live Music, Children’s Playground, Nature Walks and an array of food vendors under the beautiful spreading trees or enjoy the view and a meal from the deck at Vikings Restaurant and Pub.

ALSO READ | Taxi association revamps taxi system for safety

Market director and nature guide, Debbie de Wit leads a nature walk at 10am from this venue on both days.

Venue B:

Galago Farm is nestled in the heart of the valley alongside the Mpushini River, a bird watchers paradise where you can enjoy tea and light meals at the soup bar in the peace and tranquillity of the Conservancy Tea Garden.

Here you can walk one of the many trails, watch a demo on cultural bead making with Thobile Ntshingila, a soap making demo with Shirley Bradshaw and a local basketwork making demo with Mpho Mbeki.

There will be a range of interesting talks at this venue, including beekeeping with the KZN Beekeepers Association on Sunday.

Join a guided walk with geology and nature guide, John Roff and explore the ancient rocks on Galago Farm on Sunday.

ALSO READ | IFP pledges service and integrity in KZN coalition

Other attractions include plant sales, children’s trails and activities and a P.S. Art for the Earth watercolour demo with Pandora Long.

Venue C:

Whether you love birdwatching or botany, enjoy a self-guided or guided trail on Mawingo Farm amidst the peace and tranquillity of a gorgeous bushveld trail to ‘The Donga’, one of the ancient drainage lines that occur in the incised valley.

Spend an exciting afternoon watching dog agility with Lindsay Dunsmore on Saturday.

On Sunday learn more about the fascinating topic of animal eye iridology with Mary Carey amidst the beauty of the bushveld setting.

ALSO READ | Devi Sankaree Govender visits Pietermaritzburg

If you are needing refreshments after your walk or talk this venue will offer tea’s and juice.

Venue D:

At Impala Bend you can enjoy amazing views over the valley including the giant Aloe Candelabrum in full flower, delicious lunch options and drinks at ‘The Waterhole’ bar.

There will be several conservation talks at this venue and you can watch the wildlife at feeding time in the afternoon.

On Saturday morning, Pietermaritzburg snake conservationist, Lance Jeffery will give a ‘live snake talk’ providing an opportunity for both children and adults to get to know the benefits of snakes in nature and have an opportunity to engage with them.

ALSO READ | Historic St Anne’s Hospital site to house KZN Museum

Ben Hoffman, of African Raptor Centre will be at this venue to share his knowledge of these beautiful birds and provide an update on how the new centre is progressing at Tala Valley.

On Sunday we have the pleasure of inviting the public to join Snare Aware anti-poaching training and snare sweeps leading off from Impala Bend.

Venue E:

Rocky Wonder Aloe Nursery is a beautiful venue with over 200 species of Aloes for sale and in the display garden, many in full flower!

Purchase from a wide variety of aloes and succulents priced with super discounts especially for Aloe Fest visitors.

A highlight on both days at Rocky Wonder is an opportunity to watch Jonah Gulah, a PHD candidate in Ecological Sciences at UKZN demonstrate how birds are safely captured, handled, measured and given leg rings for ecological research.

You are welcome to picnic in the nursery and surrounds and enjoy the ambiance of this venue.

ALSO READ | Pietermaritzburg SPCA manager uses law degree to spark change

A special additional talk will be presented by Francois Chamberlain, of Afrimat Quarries where you can hear about Afrimat’s commitment to mine rehabilitation.

(Venue F open for talk only).

Cost is R50 per person, R30 for pensioners and R20 for children, under 6 are free.

Strictly no dogs allowed.

ALSO READ | ‘Go slow but don’t stop’, says 31-year-old amputee Comrades runner

All funds raised go to support the anti-poaching activities of the Lower Mpushini Valley Conservancy and Mpushini Protected Environment.

The full programme with presenters and times will be out shortly, see our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/AshburtonAloeFestival2023/

For more information contact Pandora on 072 6928124 or Heather on 083 665 8010.