Between Hillcrest and Kloof, 35 kilometres west of Durban, is the beautiful, verdant community of Gillitts, where quiet usually refers to quietness and some real estate is still sold as “rural small holdings.” The Durban neighbourhood of Gillitts is calm and serene; many people go to work each day. The area is known for its high humidity, but up here the air is fresher and there is a distinct sense of being in the country.
Gillitts typically offers the best of both worlds because it is only a 20-minute drive from Durban, making travel for business or pleasure very simple, and because the Valley of a Thousand Hills is practically at your doorstep, putting wonderful getaway options like the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve with its trails and walks, as well as the Inanda and Shongweni dams, within easy reach.
The Shongweni Polo Club hosts competitive matches of traditional polo, the Kloof Country Club has a fantastic golf course, the Shongweni Farmers’ Market has some organic stalls, and the Heritage Market in Hillcrest has a variety of arts and crafts, furniture stores, restaurants, and lovely rose gardens.
For those conducting business in Westmead, Mahogany Ridge, or Hammarsdale as well as Pinetown or Pietermaritzburg, Gillitts is a convenient stopping point because of its proximity to these industrial parks. Due to its accessibility to both the Comrades Marathon and the Duzi Canoe Marathon, Gillitts is particularly well-liked during these events, making it a little more challenging to secure lodging during these periods.