Natal Midlands Attractions

The Zulu people called the magnificent Howick Waterfalls 'KwaNogqaza' meaning “Place of the Tall One”.  According to local legend the pool at the bottom of the Howick Falls is the residence of the Inkanyamba a giant serpent-like creature. According to lore only sangomas can safely approach the falls and then only to offer prayers and other acts of worship to the inkanyamba, ancestral spirits and the 'Great God'. The Howick Falls Gorge walk winds down from the top to the foaming pool at the bottom.

The Howick Falls is a waterfall in Howick located in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. This waterfall is approximately 95 meters in height and lies on the Umgeni River.  The falls were most likely first seen by European explorers in the early 1800s. However, the KwaZulu-Natal province has known human occupation for well over 30, 000 years and it is likely that it was a well known site prior to any western influence given the rich legend surrounding the area. Many people have been swept over the falls, especially in the pioneer days of the province, as some settlers thought the easiest place to cross the river was just above the falls.

Estcourt:

Colenso and Anglo-Boer War Battlefields

Colenso

This town lies on the banks of the Tugela River surrounded by the Drakensberg.

Armoured Train Cemetery:

It was near this site that Winston Churchill was captured by Boer forces, who derailed the armoured observation train which he was travelling. A plaque just off the road records the event and the cemetery set among trees. Off the R103 near Frere.

Chieveley Military Cemetery

Here Lt. Freddy Roberts, the son of Lord Roberts, lies buried. He was posthumously awarded the VC. Follow the dirt road past the railway station to the cemetery set among trees. Off the R103 from Estcourt to Colenso.

R.E. Stevenson Museum(Old Toll House)

Erected in 1879 as the house of the Bulwer Bridge. The military historian Dr R.E. Stevenson made a study of the Battles fought in and around Colenso during the Anglo-Boer War. Obtain the key from the police station next door.

Anglo-Boer War - The Battle of Colenso took place on 15 Dec, 1899. Reminders of the battle may be seen at the Clouston Garden of Remembrance and most of the 5th Brigade soldiers killed on that day were buried in a mass grave at Ambleside cemetery.

The Battle of Thukela took place on 21 February, 1900. To visit the graves and memorials on the side of the road turn off from the Colenso road towards Ezakheni/Newcastle.

Estcourt:
 
Moor Park Nature Reserve and Gaint’s Castle
 
Moor Park Nature Reserve: 

A day permit, obtainable at the gate, is necessary to view the many species of game that roam over grassland, thornveld, valley bushveld and sandstone cliffs and 190 bird species can be seen. The reserve offers a 6km self-guided trail (Old Furrow Trail) plus many other interesting trails. Veglaer, where the Voortrekkers fought a 3day battle against a large Zulu force in 1838, has been inundated by the Wagendrift Dam. On Makhabeni hill overlooking Moor Park is one of the oldest iron age sites dating back to AD1300 and on the southern side of the dam are large fossil beds with many fossilized trees lying exposed on the surface of the ground. 
 
Giant’s Castle:

Giant's Castle Game Reserve lies in the Central Berg region of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. Its name comes from the silhouette of the mountain escarpment that resembles the profile of a sleeping giant. The 3 mountain peaks which tower above are Gaint’s Castle (3313m) in the south, Mafadi (3346m) and Injasuti Dome (3409m) in the north. 

It was created mainly to protect the Eland, Africa’s largest antelope and for the numerous species of vultures. Visit the “Vulture hide” and view the Bearded Vultures and other endangered species feeding in winter. Other game to be seen are grey rhebok, mountain reedbuck, common duiker and oribi. There are many hiking trails from under 2km to overnight trails with huts.

A guided tour to the Main Caves is a must to view over 540 rock paintings of the San people (Bushmen). 

Howick, Howick Falls and Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
 
Howick: 

Visit the Howick Museum with displays of informal settlement dwellings and the early history of the settlers plus military badges. The Military Cemetery is close to the site of an Anglo Boer War military hospital and concentration camp. 
 
Howick Falls:

The Umgeni River plunges 94m over sheer dolerite cliffs into a narrow gorge as it makes its way down stream to the Albert Falls Dam. These falls was proclaimed a national monument in 1951 together with 32ha of land around it. A viewing platform provides fine views over the falls.  A 2hr walk will take you to the pools at the base of the falls.
 
Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve:

This is situated below the Howick Falls and is an area of 650ha. There are many drives to view giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, nyala, impala, eland and other mammals plus the many birds which are home to the reserve.

The foundation stone of the Greytown Town Hall was laid in 1897 but the building was only opened in 1904 after redesigning by Street Wilson on original plans drawn up by Stott and Tomlinson. Greytown's resources had been drained by the Anglo Boer war, so the building was only partially completed in 1898.

The Zulu people called the magnificent Howick Waterfalls 'KwaNogqaza' meaning “Place of the Tall One”.  According to local legend the pool at the bottom of the Howick Falls is the residence of the Inkanyamba a giant serpent-like creature. According to lore only sangomas can safely approach the falls and then only to offer prayers and other acts of worship to the inkanyamba, ancestral spirits and the 'Great God'. The Howick Falls Gorge walk winds down from the top to the foaming pool at the bottom.

The Howick Falls is a waterfall in Howick located in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. This waterfall is approximately 95 meters in height and lies on the Umgeni River.  The falls were most likely first seen by European explorers in the early 1800s. However, the KwaZulu-Natal province has known human occupation for well over 30, 000 years and it is likely that it was a well known site prior to any western influence given the rich legend surrounding the area. Many people have been swept over the falls, especially in the pioneer days of the province, as some settlers thought the easiest place to cross the river was just above the falls.

The Midmar Dam Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is situated 7km from Howick and is a large stretch of fresh water from the Umgeni River and covers 1000 hectares of game park. Game to be seen at the Midmar Dam Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natalare  zebra, black wildebeest, hartebeest, blesbok, oribi and blesbok.  Watersports abound, swimming, boating (yachts, powerboats), windsurfing, canoeing and it is renowned for its fishing. The Midmar Mile, the world’s largest water swimming event takes place here.

South Africa's Midmar Resort and Nature Reserve, with its huge reservoir of fresh water, extensive meandering shore line, magnificent open grasslands, good road network and outdoors recreation facilities makes it an exciting family destination. Situated near Pietermaritzburg and Howick, Midmar forms part of the Midlands Meander tourist route. 

Visitors can visit the Midmar Game Reserve, which features a variety of antelope and small game species. Midmar hosts a number of sports events, and during weekends and peak periods bicycles, windsurfers, canoes and yachts can be hired and launch tours and sunset cruises can be booked by prior arrangement. Midmar has three campsites. Morgenson campsite features 35 electrified campsites and 106 non-electrified campsites with shared barbecue facilities. Munro Bay campsite features 31 electrified campsites, and DukuDuku campsite has 39 non-electrified campsites.All campsites feature barbecue facilities with firewood and charcoal available for sale and shared coldwater taps. The modern ablution facilities feature hot showers and baths, flush toilets, dishwashing and basic laundry facilities. Chalet accommodation is also available for guests. Tel: (033) 330 2067/8 Fax: (033) 330 5868
 

The town of Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is justifiably known as the City of Flowers, with private gardens and public parks.  The lush foliage and seasonal blooms, such as bougainvilleas and azaleas, make for a great sight.

The National Botanical Gardens, one of eight in South Africa, is situated on an ancient floodplain and a hillside at the foot of a mist belt. Established in 1870, the garden concentrates on the conservation and propagation of rare and endangered indigenous plants as well as the cultivation of east coast grassland plants.  Being an all-season garden, it is a birding paradise for more than a 100 species, and home to a variety of small game.  At the end of a long avenue of plane trees which were planted in 1908 stands the bell-tower which houses the well-known ship bell. The bell itself comes from the HMS Princess, on which King George V crossed the channel after inspecting troops at the close of the Great War in 1918.

At the Pietermaritzburg Botanical Garden, one can find a mysterious Muthi garden, a fig tree in a most unusual place and fever trees whose medicine is legend.  Guided tours of the National Botanical Garden in Pietermaritzburg, which range from an informative walk through the Muthi garden to an inspection of the spider species, can be arranged.

Howick, Howick Falls and Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
 
Howick: 

Visit the Howick Museum with displays of informal settlement dwellings and the early history of the settlers plus military badges. The Military Cemetery is close to the site of an Anglo Boer War military hospital and concentration camp. 
 
Howick Falls:

The Umgeni River plunges 94m over sheer dolerite cliffs into a narrow gorge as it makes its way down stream to the Albert Falls Dam. These falls was proclaimed a national monument in 1951 together with 32ha of land around it. A viewing platform provides fine views over the falls.  A 2hr walk will take you to the pools at the base of the falls.
 
Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve:

This is situated below the Howick Falls and is an area of 650ha. There are many drives to view giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, nyala, impala, eland and other mammals plus the many birds which are home to the reserve.