Howick

Howick

Howick is a town located in the uMgungundlovu District of KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The town is 1050 m above sea level, and about 88 kilometres from the port city of Durban. It enjoys warm summers and cool dry winters. A snappy chill descends upon Howick when snow falls on the nearby Drakensberg. The town is located on the N3 freeway, connecting it with the rest of South Africa.

Howick is in the heart of the uMngeni Municipal region and hub of the Midlands. It is known as the place of many waterfalls for it is here that the uMngeni River and its tributaries tumble down gorges and over precipices on a journey to the Indian Ocean. 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. Some of the key villages found in the vicinity of Howick are Karkloof, Merrivale and Lion's River.

The little village of Howick - a great place to find antiques, arts and crafts, and part of the Midlands Meander - was named after Earl Grey, the British Colonial Secretary who started out in life as the Viscount Howick. It remains fundamentally a farming town that supplies the number of farms in the area, and people pass through here on their way to the interior or to Midmar Dam, just 7 kilometres away.

In recent years Howick has expanded significantly following the establishment of a number of major retirement villages, such as Amber Glen and Amber Valley that flank the Karkloof Falls Road.

No real surprise that our 'old visitors' are returning in ever increasing numbers to enjoy their golden years in this favourite, invigorating environment! While up-market, well-appointed and secure retirement complexes are becoming the new landmarks, gracious smallholdings beckon the actively- or semi-retired with the promise of 'gentleman farming'. These factors, in addition to our district's many outdoor activities, present the entrepreneur with tempting small- business ventures.

The Umgeni Valley Ranch or Nature Reserve was established in the 1970's on the then outskirts of Howick by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA). The nature reserve is consists largely of the deep valley cut by the Mngeni River below the Howick Falls into the surrounding sandstone. WESSA reintroduced game into the area, such as zebra and wildebeest (gnu), and established a number of huts for overnight accommodation.

Introduction to the wonders of Zulu and other traditional cultures is yet another hallmark, along with their authentic and expertly fashioned curios. This wealth of genuine Africana, plus European-inspired handicrafts, fascinating fusions of the two and a treasure trove of antiques, bric-a-brac and bygones contributes an irresistible, magnetic charm to our easily negotiable Town Trail.Accommodation to suit every pocket and predilection makes our hospitality the ideal base for exploring further afield.

In December 1996 Nelson Mandela was awarded the Freedom of the Howick, this followed him having been arrested on 5 August 1962, some 34 years before, on the then main road between Howick and Lidgetton West.A small monument showing the site where he was arrested by the Security Police may be seen on the southern road side of the R102 in a dip in the road.