Kloof is famous for its notoriously cooler climate – elevated above the sea and away from the humidity of Durban.
But there are many more reasons to love this popular suburb. Located at the top of Fields Hill, its no longer a quaint little village but now a self-contained suburb with all the retail amenities you could wish for.
It’s a haven for gardeners, thanks to the cooler climate and the mist belt, with beautiful well-established gardens and trees. Schooling is also a big drawcard, with strong government and private schools in Kloof itself, and Kearsney College, Highbury Preparatory School and Curro Hillcrest a short 15 minute drive away.
There have been a number of changes in the last few years thanks to the rezoning of selected residential areas into commercial and retail, particularly along the Old Main Road node. This surge in retail and commercial business has meant that many Kloof residents can now work closer to home. Kloof is contained by its topography so won’t ever grow to be much more than a large village, so expansion takes place in the nearby western suburbs of Hillcrest. The new, massive Watercrest Mall in the adjacent suburb of Waterfall has recently opened a cinema, which is the only thing that Kloof was missing!
Properties are mostly large freestanding homes on big stands with lovely gardens – in fact, on the Kloof Country Club side of the M4, the quirky “Kloof acre” is the minimum allowable land size! But there are some small gated estates and townhouses too. Kloof is known to be excellent value for money when it comes to property, particularly because of the larger plots and superb schools.
The best schools in the area:
• St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls
• Thomas More College
• Kloof Junior Primary
• Kloof Junior
• Kloof High School
Local nature spots:
• Krantzkloof nature Reserve – Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife: comprising Molweni and Nkutu River gorges
• Kloof Conservancy: very active management of numerous nature reserves and trails (about 13), within a 15 kilometre radius of the heart of Kloof.
• Kloof Conservancy’s annual Indigenous Open Gardens Show
• Glenholme Nature Reserve
Our favourite food in the area:
• Classic American at 1904
• Woodfired pizza at La Pizza Pazza
• Pub grub at Stokers Arms
• Fresh baked goods at Sprigs
• Family-friendly food at Bellevue Café
• Amazing steaks at The Hussar Grill
Resident’s view:
“My husband’s a golfer, I’m a birder, and my two daughters are tennis mad – Kloof has a ‘happy place’ for each of us. I wouldn’t swop Kloof for anywhere else.” Mal Plumany, resident
Words: Bridget McNulty | Images: Stephen Pilbrough & Shane van Eck
