In a nutshell

Known to the Zulu people as KwaNogqaza " Place of the Tall One " the Howich falls were first seen by European adventurers in the early 19th century, as transport riders and wagon trains pioneered routes inland from the coast.

After lunch you'll enjoy the Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio. The story of Ardmore began in 1985 when Fèe Halsted-Berning lived on the farm Ardmore, in the Champagne Valley under the shadow of the Drakensberg Mountains. Her passion for ceramic art had been honed during her five years at the University of Natal where she studied fine art and then completed a two year advanced diploma in ceramics. Fèe's first student was Bonnie Ntshalintshali, the daughter of a farm employee. Bonnie became known as one of South Africa's leading ceramic artists, while Ardmore's exciting diversity of ceramic art has been endorsed by Christie's, London, as 'modern collectables'. Fèe's merging of western ceramics technology with African art is only part of the story of Ardmore. Fèe has been described as 'a creator of artists'. As she says: "The Zulu people have a wonderful sense of colour and rhythm and a gift for design and balance, all they needed was opportunity'. The flamboyant ceramics have captured the attention of collectors worldwide as a result of the many awards that have been won by the Ardmore artists and particularly as a result of the Christie's exhibition and art auction in London.

Main stops

Howick Falls
Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio

The programme

You'll set off from the harbour and drive via Pietermaritzburg to Howick, located in the heart of the Natal Midlands, where you'll see the magnificent Howick Falls, a spectacular, approximately 100 metre high display, almost in the centre of the picturesque town itself.

You'll then have lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch you'll visit the Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio and meet the artists, as you view the process of throwing clay, sculpting, painting and finally firing these unique pieces. The studio now consists of over 50 artists who mostly produce the decorative collectable ranges while a few concentrate on fine art. Since 1988 when Ardmore was hit hard by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Ardmore has pioneered the recognition and treatment of their artists and sculptors. At a time when ARV's were not readily available in South Africa, Ardmore worked tirelessly with experts in the field to educate their staff in AIDS prevention and to provide medication to AIDS sufferers. The Ardmore Excellence fund receives 6% of all sales which is then used to meet medical expenses, counselling, education and training for the employees. Ardmore also believes in making art accessible to children in impoverished communities and holds weekend workshops at local schools every quarter. Budding artists are encouraged to pursue their talents in a fun and uplifting environment. You'll return to your ship in the late afternoon.

Good to know

Please wear comfortable shuhe as the terrain may be uneven with pathways.