Howick is in the heart of the uMngeni Municipal region and hub of the Midlands. It is known as the place of many waterfalls for it is here that the uMngeni River and its tributaries tumble down gorges and over precipices on a journey to the Indian Ocean, some 95 km to the east. Some of the key villages found in the vicinity of Howick are Karkloof, Merrivale and Lion's River.
the howick falls ,
At 95 metres high (310 feet) the Howick Falls are located on the Umgeni River and have become a popular tourist attraction and the site boasts a restaurant and the usual stalls selling curios and other souvenirs. Known by the local Zulu people as ‘KwaNogqaza’, which means ‘Place of the Tall One’, local legend has it that the pool at the bottom of the falls is the residence of the Inkanyamba, a giant serpent-like creature.
the capture site for former president nelson mandela tha was astablished when he was sentenced to prison for 27 years
midmar dam
Midmar Dam is a combined gravity & earth-fill type dam and recreation area located near Howick and Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Boating, swimming, waterskiing, picnicing, and fishing are popular pastimes at Midmar Dam. Midmar Dam is located in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal. The dam's primary purpose is to serve for municipal and industrial use and its hazard potential has been ranked high (3).
Morgenzon has camping and caravanning sites, both powered and non-powered, and Eikedal and Blackhurst Peninsula are both stunning picnic areas. The dam also hosts a yacht club and fully furnished shalet faciilites,lock up storage facilities for boats.and also a boat tour for the tourists to see some of our famous wildlife
No matter what time of year one visits the dam, it is essential to have clothing/gear for both hot and cold weather - the weather changes are rapid, and do not always correspond with the weather in the surrounding area.
Midmar Dam is easily accessible from the N3 highway
Located 10 km outside of Howick in the spectacular valley of the mistbelt podacarpus Karkloof Forest Reserve, Karkloof Canopy Tours is a must for all travellers with a taste for adventure. The canopy tour includes long swooping slides over the forest canopy, stops below a 15-metre-high waterfall and takes in wider views across the beautiful Karkloof valley. Flying along ziplines at speeds of up to 70km/h and reaching heights of 35 metres, the canopies is a thrilling way to take in the surrounding scenery, make new friends and give the ol’ vocal chords a good stretch. Screaming is optional but it comes highly recommended!
Wessa
A visit to WESSA (The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa) in the uMgeni River valley is a must. Most of the reserve is located in the picturesque gorge below the Howick Falls and the greater reserve is home to giraffe, zebra and a variety of antelope as well as over 270 species of bird, including the elusive Nerina Trogon or the Crowned Eagle, making it a bird-lover’s paradise
Drakensberg
Not only is it stunningly beautiful, but the Drakensberg Mountains are right on your doorstep. Even though they’re not technically in the midlands, it would be a sin not to visit these famous peaks while you’re on your way. Known to the Zulu people as uKhahlamba, meaning ‘barrier of spears’, the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site (10 of the best World Heritage Sites in Africa) in 2000, bringing long-overdue recognition of its universal value to mankind. Boasting the conservation of endemic and threatened species and masterpieces of human creative genius in the form of 35,000 San rock art images as well as rolling, high-altitude grasslands, pristine steep-sided river valleys and rocky gorges, it’s definitely not to be missed.
