Pietermaritzburg: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026

Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second-largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa after Durban. It was named in 1838 and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality.

Pietermaritzburg · CC BY-SA 4.0

Now in the cityPietermaritzburg+12°CPartly cloudy · sunrise 05:50 AMupdated 05:47 AM

EntryPick a passportThe answer depends on the passport.

Places on the map3

Exchange rateR 16.27per 1 $ZAR — the local currencyas of Sep 18, 2026

Worth a day trip

Pretoria≈ 3 hr 50 min Gqeberha≈ 4 hr 10 min

Safety and health

Official travel advice and the medical minimum

Safety · official adviceour data as of Sep 15, 2026

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)No restrictionsNo travel restrictions in force.

Full text

New information about submitting an online traveller declaration before travelling and information about taking money into South Africa ('Entry requirements' page).

Source: UK FCDO Foreign Travel Advice

US State DepartmentLevel 2Watch your surroundings and belongings more closely than usual.

crime
terrorism
civil unrest
kidnapping

Full text

Updated to reflect information on driving at night and addition of the terrorism risk indicator. Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping . Advisory summary: Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking and mugging.

Source: US Department of State Travel Advisory

Source: UK FCDO Foreign Travel Advice · US Department of State Travel Advisory

Stay longer on a programme

Work and Travel, internships, au pair and volunteering in South Africa: visa, invitation and on-site support are handled by CMO International Programmes.