Howick is a town of 22,000 people (2011) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The town is the location of Howick Falls, which is a large waterfall that occurs when the Umgeni River falls 95 metres (311 feet) over dolerite cliffs on its way to the Indian Ocean.
Get in
[edit]On the N3 150 km from Durban take any of the 3 marked exits.
The easiest N3 exit into Howick is the "Tweedie/Howick" exit - the furthest one from Durban, first one from further inland - as the road in has no "speed bumps". The other two exits lead into Howick over several of these which could be detrimental to low-slung cars!
Get around
[edit]By car.
See
[edit]- Howick Falls. A 94-m-high waterfall in the Umgeni river. The falls and surrounding area is a National monument and there is a 2-hour hiking trail (Gorge Walk) to the pools at the base of the falls.
- Mandela Monument (follow the R103 towards Lions River for about 10 km). A commemorative plinth marking the place where Nelson Mandela was arrested on August 5, 1962, leading to his conviction and longterm prison sentence, before becoming president of South Africa.
- The Howick uMngeni Museum, [email protected]. Interesting but small. M-F 8:45AM-12:30PM, 1:30-3:30PM; Sa 10AM–1PM; Su 10AM–3PM.
Do
[edit]- Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, 1 Karkloof Road, ☏ +27 33 330-3931, fax: +27 33 330-4576, [email protected]. 8AM-4:30PM. 700 hectares situated in the valley immediately below the Howick falls with eland, giraffe, impala, nyala, oribi, reedbuck, wildebees and zebra.
- Howick Falls, ☏ +27 33 330-5305 (Howick Tourism).
- Midmar dam (opposite side of the N3 highway about 7km from Howick). Excellent watersport, fishing, camping and a game reserve.
- 1 Midmar Nature Reserve, ☏ +27 33 330-2067, fax: +27 33 330-5868. 8AM-4:30PM daily for day visitors. Many antelope species including blesbok, reedbuck, hartebees, wildebees and zebra. Also some white rhino.
- Henley Midmar Yacht Club, ☏ +27 76 469-0857, [email protected].
Buy
[edit]Crafts, including handwoven carpets. Check out the Visitors Book in the shops though as there are good comments here relating to pricing
Eat
[edit]- The Original Pancake Cafe, 2 Fallsview Road, ☏ +27 33 330-6377, [email protected]. Open 9AM to 4:30PM daily, closed on Tuesdays. The pancake shop is recommended!
- Red Tap Pub, 5 Harvard St, ☏ +27 33 330-8045. Serves excellent, and reasonably prices, English style pub grub.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- Stocklands Farm Bed and Breakfast, ☏ +27 33 330-5225, [email protected]. A 150-year-old stone house with original yellowwood ceilings and doors offers accommodation to travellers from all over the world.
- The Lodge @ Currys Post, ☏ +27 33 330-6802. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 10AM. Central to the Midlands Meander, the 40-hectare farm is a-top a hill, surrounded by pine and gum plantations, as well as natural forests, with sweeping 180-degree views of the Karkloof mountains. Homemade biscuits, chocolates and fresh flowers add a special touch in each room. Family run business.
Go next
[edit]