HOWICK

A town 1050m above sea level and approximately 88 kilometres from Durban. Howick enjoys warm summers and cool winters which turn chilly when there are snowfalls on the Drakensberg mountain range.

 

 

Howick is a town steeped in history, as far back as the 1840’s.







 

To experience the beauty of Howick a visit to the Howick Falls is needed, the Zulu name for the Falls KwaNogquaza which means, ”the place of the tall one.” In the heart of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands are the Howick Falls with a spectacular drop into a fast flowing pool below, the pool is believed to be inhabited by powerful ancestral spirits. The Midlands Meander stretches from Pietermaritzburg to the Drakensberg Mountains. At the viewing site is the Umgeni River with its never ending flow to the Indian Ocean. Listening to the sound of the powerful Howick Falls fills one with a sense of inner peace and serenity.

An hour long walk will allow you access to the base of the falls to the pools and gorge where the tributaries of the main river converge, otherwise a picnic would be ideal with a view of the magnificent Falls from the platform or enjoy the local restaurants in walking distance.




One interesting place to see is the Nelson Mandela Memorial Capture Site, there you will find a sculpture by highly acclaimed artist Marco Cianfanelli commemorating Nelson Mandela’s 50-Year Anniversary of what began Nelson Mandela’s “long walk to freedom” as the centre point of the site. This significant site is where Nelson Mandela was apprehended while driving incognito from Durban to Johannesburg on the 5^th of August 1962 at a point on the R103.



The Karkloof Farmers Market is an indoor market with a wide variety of goods on sale from fresh vegetables to home-baked treats. Karkloof is 3.5km from Howick. Karkloof also has canopy tours where you can go on a journey through there magnificent forest.



Craft Southern Africa is a curio store operating in the Agricultural Hall, one of Howick’s few remaining Victorian buildings. The building was a cinema in the 1950’s and after years of neglect was refurbished twenty years ago and visitors can purchase keepsakes to take home while experiencing the wooden ceilings and old floors.





 

Have a look at the Laager Wall which was built to protect the residents of Howick from possible Zulu attacks during the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879.


 

There are many hiking trails where one can see the beautiful birdlife, like the crowned and martial eagles and tiny warblers.





The Benvie Gardens is must see, the explosion of colour invites one to stroll along the paths from one enchanting discovery to another. See trees from all over the world brought here over a century ago, the stunning arrangement of Azaleas and Rhodedendrons and beautiful rolling lawns, dense foliage and flowers.




 

The Umgeni Valley Reserve is home to Giraffe, Zebra and a variety of Antelope. Around the main education centre is an indigenous tree trail and self-guided walks mingling with the animals in this Valley Nature Reserve. A bird watchers paradise.



Howick has many guesthouses, bed and breakfasts and self-caterers, like Shafton Grange, Howick Guesthouse, Harrow Hill Guest Farm, Penny’s bed and breakfast, Howick Falls Hotel, Nutmeg B&B, Country Lane Guest House, Biggy Best cottages to name just a few.





















 

Howick is a beautiful town, a must see on your journey through South Africa where the locals will welcome you with open arms.