The Lower Mpushini Valley Conservancy is holding their annual Ashburton Aloe Festival, just outside Pietermaritzburg, on the weekend of the 27th and 28th June. The Festival coincides with the flowering of the wild Aloe Candelabra on the hillsides, making a spectacular show!
Five venues are open to the public between 9am – 4pm with a variety of activities including specialist talks, self-guided trails, a wide variety of Aloes on sale at special prices, succulents and indigenous plants, TopRock gemstones, crystals, fossils and rock museum, live music, arts & crafts stalls, pony rides and more. A variety of light lunches will be on sale as well as the very popular tea-garden with delicious home baked fare.
Entry is R30 per person (both days), with children under 12 free. All proceeds go towards conservation projects. This area has been proclaimed the first Protected Environment in Kwazulu-Natal and the Lower Mpushini Valley Conservancy welcome all visitors to share the beauty and tranquillity of this last remnant of 'wild Africa' right on the doorstep of the city of Pietermaritzburg.
To get there take exit 69 off the N3. North and Southbound traffic turn right at the intersection and travel 4km towards Ashburton East along Pope Ellis Drive till the ticket stall and follow the signs to the venues 1 – 5. Enquiries Darlene Bond 082 9335036
Specialist Talks:
SAT 27TH 10H00 – 11H00 'Gardening and Children' (hosted by KZN Inland Branch of Botsoc) Venue 1: Galago Farm
SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 11H30 – 12H30 'Wildlife Poaching' by Garth Carpenter Venue 3: Impala Bend
SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 14H00 – 15H30 'Crystal Species' a talk by palaeontology expert, Nick May Venue 2: TopRock Farm
SATURDAY 27TH JUNE 16H00 – 17H00 'The Last Outpost (of Empire) Speaks Back' Howard Bradshaw reads Roy Campbell and other SA voices. Venue 1: Galago Farm
SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 10H00 – 11H00 'The hazards of modern household cleaning products and some alternatives' by Edith Elliot Venue 2: TopRock Farm
SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 11H30 – 12H30 'Snakes Alive' by Garth Carpenter. Venue 3: Impala Bend
SUNDAY 28TH JUNE 14H00 – 15H00 'How and why to start beekeeping' by Barrie Lewis. Venue 3: Impala Bend
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 9H00 – 16H00 'Walkabout' Galago Eco-Centre Public Participation Process with Pandora Long. Venue 1: Galago Farm
Programme of Activities:
Venue 1: GALAGO FARM
• Tea Garden hosted by Ashburton Pony Club
• Succulent Sales by Giddies Nursery
• Self-guided trails
• Art under the Trees
• Mpushini Rehabilitation Project (Alien Weed Eradication)
• Campfire from 4pm
Venue 2: TOPROCK
• Craft Market
• Mineral, Crystal & Gemstone Shop
• Lunches
• Live Music
Venue 3: IMPALA BEND
• Lunches
• Craft Market
• Snake Display (Sunday)
• Live Popular music 11 to 5
• Self-guided trails
Venue 4: ROCKY WONDER ALOE NURSERY
Over 200 species of Aloes & succulents on display and for sale at special festival prices. 40 different species of Aloes from the rest of Africa.
• Self-Guided Bird Trails
• Accommodation & Camping Available
Venue 5: SPECERS PLACE
• From 6am Self-guided Bird Trails through the valley bushveld and wild flowering Aloe Candelabra
• Pony Rides