The Howick Falls

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

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

By car.

See

• 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, museum2@telkomsa.net. Interesting but small. M-F 8:45AM-12:30PM, 1:30-3:30PM; Sa 10AM–1PM; Su 10AM–3PM. 

Do

• Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, 1 Karkloof Road, ☏ +27 33 330-3931, fax: +27 33 330-4576, reservations@wessa.co.za. 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, wagtails@mweb.co.za. 

Buy

Crafts, including handwoven carpets. Check out the Visitors Book in the shops though as there are good comments here relating to pricing

Eat

• The Original Pancake Cafe, 2 Fallsview Road, ☏ +27 33 330-6377, info@mulberryhill.co.za. 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. 

Sleep

• Stocklands Farm Bed and Breakfast, ☏ +27 33 330-5225, stocklands@iafrica.com. 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.