The Midlands. Find your way to better days The Midlands

Guide

Things to do in the KZN Midlands

Waterfalls, mistbelt forest, makers' studios, wine farms, trout dams and the first big views of the Drakensberg. A local guide to the best of the region, by kind of day.

By The Midlands

Two hikers in grassland below the Drakensberg

The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands runs roughly from Hilton and Howick, just above Pietermaritzburg, north along the R103 to Nottingham Road, Rosetta and Mooi River, and west into the Kamberg below the Drakensberg. Much of what's worth doing is close to the N3, which makes it easy to dip in for a day or spend a long weekend.

The R103 is the slow road through the middle of it all, and many of the Midlands Meander's studios, farm stalls and places to eat are on it or just off it. Here's where to start.

Waterfalls, forest and big open spaces

Start with water. Howick Falls is in the heart of the town, and the Karkloof valley next door has a second waterfall, indigenous mistbelt forest and rich birdlife, including all three crane species.

Walks & nature · Howick

Howick Falls

A drop of about 95 metres on the uMngeni River, with a viewing platform a short walk from the main street.

Address
Centre of Howick, a short walk from Main Street

Website (opens in a new tab)

Walks & nature · Karkloof

Karkloof Falls

A waterfall in the Karkloof valley with a public picnic site.

Hours
May close at times of high fire danger
Address
Off the Karkloof Road, about 15 km from Howick, signposted
Walks & nature · Howick

uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve

A 900 ha WESSA reserve in the valley below Howick, dropping from 1,044 m near the entrance gate to the valley floor. Grassland, woodland, thicket and forest with zebra, giraffe, blesbok, impala, nyala, bushbuck and blue wildebeest; nature trails, rock climbing, picnicking and rock pools. Also an environmental education centre, chalets, cottages and rustic camps.

Fees
R40 adult, R30 child under 12, under-2s free
Address
1 Karkloof Road, Howick, 3290 (entrance on the Howick-Karkloof road)

Website (opens in a new tab)

Walks & nature · Karkloof

Karkloof Conservation Centre

Bird hides run by the Karkloof Conservancy at the entrance to Gartmore Farm, opened in 2007. Oxbow lakes on the Yarrow and Karkloof river floodplains attract waterfowl and all three crane species (wattled, grey crowned and blue).

Hours
Bird hides 05:00–18:00 daily
Fees
R40 adult, R30 child, under-5s free
Address
Entrance to Gartmore Farm, Karkloof valley

Website (opens in a new tab)

Walks & nature · Howick

Midmar Dam

A large dam and nature reserve for sailing, paddling, fishing and picnics, and home to the Midmar Mile swim each February.

Hours
Day visitors 06:00–18:00 in summer, 06:00–17:00 in winter
Fees
Day visitors (SA/SADC): R70 adult, R35 child. Fishing needs a permit.
Address
Midmar Nature Reserve, off the N3 at the Midmar/Howick exit

Website (opens in a new tab)

History and heritage

The Midlands holds a lot of history within a short drive, from the roadside where Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962 to San rock paintings thousands of years old.

Heritage · Howick

Nelson Mandela Capture Site

Near the spot on the R103 where Nelson Mandela was arrested on 5 August 1962. A visitor centre and the 50-column steel sculpture tell the story.

Hours
Thursday to Monday, 08:30–17:00 (last entry 16:15); closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Fees
South Africans R120, international visitors R180, ages 13–17 R40, under-12s free
Address
R103, about 5 km outside Howick

Website (opens in a new tab)

Heritage · Howick

Howick uMngeni Museum

A local museum on the edge of Howick Falls with stories of settlement, life and change along the uMngeni River.

Hours
Mon–Fri 08:45–12:30 and 13:30–15:30; Sat 10:00–13:00; Sun 10:00–15:00
Address
Next to Howick Falls, Howick
Heritage · Fort Nottingham

Fort Nottingham (museum and bush reserve)

A garrison post established in 1856 to protect settlers in the Drakensberg foothills. A small museum covers the history of the settlement. The nearby Fort Nottingham bush reserve (Ezemvelo) has a public picnic site and the 2 km Tony Kerr Trail through wooded hillside, with some steep sections.

Hours
Museum: Saturday and Sunday 10:00–16:00
Heritage · Kamberg

Game Pass Shelter

A celebrated San rock art site, visited only on a guided walk booked through reception at Kamberg Nature Reserve.

Hours
Guided walks only, booked through Kamberg reception
Fees
Guided walk R120 adult, R60 child, plus the Kamberg conservation fee
Address
Kamberg Nature Reserve, about 40 km from Rosetta

Website (opens in a new tab)

Makers, studios and galleries

Potters, weavers and leatherworkers are a big part of the Midlands' character. Many open their studios and shops to visitors along the R103 and the roads off it.

Shops & makers · Lidgetton

Lidgetton Crafters Guild

Community craft group, formed in 2019, selling pottery, ceramics, beadwork, crochet rugs and other handmade goods by local makers.

Hours
Lidgetton shop: Thursday–Sunday 10:00–15:00. Horse Shoe Bend shop: daily 09:00–16:00
Address
P133 (road to Caversham Mill), Lidgetton; second shop at Horse Shoe Bend, R103, Howick

Food, wine and craft beer

Long lunches are a Midlands tradition. There are wine estates near Lions River, a brewery at Nottingham Road, a creamery with its own dairy shop and a Saturday-morning farmers' market in the Karkloof.

Eat & drink · Lidgetton

Caversham Mill Restaurant

Restaurant on the Lions River at the site of a mill dating to 1860, where the Midlands Meander started in 1985. It serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, including curries, pastas and burgers.

Hours
Wed 08:00–16:00; Thu–Sat 08:00–20:00; Sun & public holidays 08:00–16:00; closed Mon–Tue (open if a public holiday)
Address
C6 Caversham Valley, Lidgetton West, 3270

Website (opens in a new tab)Instagram (opens in a new tab)Facebook (opens in a new tab)

Eat & drink · Karkloof

Karkloof Farmers' Market

Weekly Saturday-morning indoor market with stalls selling fresh vegetables, baked goods and other local produce. Breakfast and coffee are served and there are activities for children.

Hours
Saturdays 08:00–12:00

Facebook (opens in a new tab)

Fly-fishing

Trout have been part of Midlands life for more than a century. Some farms take day anglers, some fish for staying guests only, and the Ezemvelo reserves in the Berg charge their own rod fees and have their own rules and seasons.

Activities · Nottingham Road

Troutbagger Farm

Small farm with three trout dams, one also holding bass, fished catch-and-release, with self-catering accommodation. The Meander lists it for day anglers.

Address
Between Mount West and Curry's Post, about 12 km from Nottingham Road

Website (opens in a new tab)

Activities · Dargle

Copperleigh Trout Cottages

Working farm under iNhlosane mountain with fly-fishing on the 10 ha Mavela Dam, which is stocked with trout every year. Two self-catering units overlook the dam.

Address
Copperleigh Farm, Upper Dargle (about 30 km from Howick, 22 km from Boston)

Website (opens in a new tab)

Walks & nature · Kamberg

Kamberg Nature Reserve

Part of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, established in 1951 and named after a mountain shaped like a rooster's comb. The Mooi River runs through it. Trout fishing (Eland and Erskine dams all year; fly tackle only, rod fee payable), guided walks to Game Pass Shelter, hiking trails, three picnic sites, and game including eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest and oribi.

Hours
Gates 05:00–19:00 (Oct–Mar), 06:00–18:00 (Apr–Sep)
Fees
Conservation fee (SA/SADC): R80 adult, R40 child. Rock art walk R120 adult, R60 child.
Address
Near Rosetta (PO Box 72, Rosetta 3301); from Rosetta about 40 km on the Kamberg road.

Website (opens in a new tab)

Walks & nature · Drakensberg

Highmoor Nature Reserve

A 14,749 ha section of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park known for trout dams, grassland and sandstone scenery. Hiking, two bookable overnight caves (Caracal Cave and Aasvoelkrans Cave, 12 people each), fly-fishing, birding (bearded vulture, Cape vulture, Verreaux's eagle) and a picnic area beside the camp office.

Hours
Gates 05:00–19:00 (Oct–Mar), 06:00–18:00 (Apr–Sep)
Fees
Conservation fee (SA/SADC): R80 adult, R40 child
Address
Off the R103 via the Kamberg/Highmoor road, about 43 km from the N3 at Nottingham Road

Website (opens in a new tab)

With children

Several places are set up for families, with play areas, farm animals and space to run.

Into the Drakensberg

West of the farmland the land climbs into the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, a World Heritage Site. Roads are slower and some are gravel, so give yourself time and arrive in daylight.

Walks & nature · Kamberg

Kamberg Nature Reserve

Part of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, established in 1951 and named after a mountain shaped like a rooster's comb. The Mooi River runs through it. Trout fishing (Eland and Erskine dams all year; fly tackle only, rod fee payable), guided walks to Game Pass Shelter, hiking trails, three picnic sites, and game including eland, black wildebeest, red hartebeest and oribi.

Hours
Gates 05:00–19:00 (Oct–Mar), 06:00–18:00 (Apr–Sep)
Fees
Conservation fee (SA/SADC): R80 adult, R40 child. Rock art walk R120 adult, R60 child.
Address
Near Rosetta (PO Box 72, Rosetta 3301); from Rosetta about 40 km on the Kamberg road.

Website (opens in a new tab)

Walks & nature · Drakensberg

Giant's Castle

A 3,315 m peak above a reserve known for hiking and bearded vultures. The Main Caves rock art museum is temporarily closed after fire damage.

Hours
Day visitors should leave before sunset; reception 08:00–16:30
Fees
Conservation fee (SA/SADC): R80 adult, R40 child. Vulture hide and trout permits extra.
Address
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, via the R103 from Nottingham Road (final 55 km on gravel)

Website (opens in a new tab)

Walks & nature · Drakensberg

Highmoor Nature Reserve

A 14,749 ha section of the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park known for trout dams, grassland and sandstone scenery. Hiking, two bookable overnight caves (Caracal Cave and Aasvoelkrans Cave, 12 people each), fly-fishing, birding (bearded vulture, Cape vulture, Verreaux's eagle) and a picnic area beside the camp office.

Hours
Gates 05:00–19:00 (Oct–Mar), 06:00–18:00 (Apr–Sep)
Fees
Conservation fee (SA/SADC): R80 adult, R40 child
Address
Off the R103 via the Kamberg/Highmoor road, about 43 km from the N3 at Nottingham Road

Website (opens in a new tab)

Questions

When is the best time to visit the Midlands?

Every season has its draw. Summer (December to February) is the rainy season, with storms, green valleys and full waterfalls. Winter (June to August) brings frosty mornings, log fires and sometimes snow on the Berg. Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) fall between the two.

What is the Midlands Meander?

The Midlands Meander is a collection of routes of studios, farm stalls, restaurants and places to stay, stretching from Hilton to just beyond Mooi River and from the Karkloof to the foothills of the Drakensberg. It began in 1985 at Caversham Mill near Lidgetton.

Do I need to book ahead?

For some things, yes. Wine-estate lunches, the Karkloof Canopy Tour and the guided walk to Game Pass Shelter all need booking, and country hotels can be busy over school holidays and long weekends. Check each place's own website before you go.