Karkloof, Natal Midlands

Karkloof is a beautiful range of hills stretching for over 50 kilometres between Rietvlei, Curry’s Post and Howick in the Midlands of Natal.

This area includes a steep, flat-topped kloof and an extensive range of mist belt forests, home to the Karkloof blue Orachrysops ariadne - a small, blue butterfly classified as ‘vulnerable’, with only five colonies of the species ever recorded - which occurs only in this, the most beautiful area in the province. Although a lot of this is privately owned, the Karkloof Nature Reserve is 936 hectares of indigenous forest that is home to yellowwood and black stinkwood trees that attract the Crowned and Martial Eagle, as well as porcupines, duiker and other smaller game.

The Karkloof falls form a wonderful 88 metre backdrop to picnics and braais under the shady trees that surround it; and through one of the magnificent Karkloof indigenous forests runs the Karkloof Canopy Tour, a unique eco-experience that involves moving from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended some 30 metres above the floor of the forest.

Karkloof also hosts the Classic Mountain Bike Festival, the country’s largest and longest running one-day mountain bike race, in early May. The event has adopted a festival format to make a weekend of the race, beginning with a 20 kilometre Bell Night Race and including a 10 kilometre family fun ride.

Travellers' Reviews

2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.

Verified reviewvery good

Karkloof is so pretty - beautiful farmlands and forested areas ... I really enjoyed my weekend here. Make sure you visit the bustling Karkloof Market on Saturday morning and the Karkloof Canopy Tour is not to be missed!

Helen (Kearsney)

Verified reviewvery good

This is an animal-lovers' paradise! There was so much to see and do in Karkloof because we all love being outdoors and experiencing the beauty of nature. We cycled a lot, but also tried our hand at bird-watching, which was particularly rewarding in this part of the world. We were spoilt for choice. Great destination!

Henry, Alain, Trish, Pat, Mark and Gary (Western Cape)

In the vicinity

Hotels & other accommodation options

Things to do in the area

Noteworthy attractions

Find accommodation in Karkloof

FIND / South Africa Accommodation / KwaZulu Natal Accommodation / Natal Midlands Accommodation / Karkloof Accommodation

Karkloof as a destination

Want to stay overnight?

Dates

When would you like to stay?
Choose dates

Number of Guests

Why book with SA-Venues.com
  • Your card is safe with us; strictest card verification in the industry and we don't store card numbers.
  • No airy fairy service fees; you save!
  • We care. Service with integrity.
  • Multiple payment methods:
    credit card, SID instant EFT, bank transfer.
  • All Karkloof property owners / managers are verified (our experience protects you from online fraud).
  • Secure your booking
Our Payment Protection Guarantee only applies if your deposit payment is made via SA-Venues.com
Destinations
South Africa. Explore. Experience. Stay

SA-Venues.com® has been assisting travellers with their South Africa travel plans since 1999, and is the largest, independent online travel guide for South Africa available in both English and German.