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.
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Featured Attractions in (or near) Karkloof
Albert Falls Dam Nature Reserve
The source of the uMngeni River lies in the uMngeni Vlei area, an ancient wetland bounded by hills. From here it meanders eastward through undulating pastoral countryside until just before Midmar Dam, where it is joined by the Lions River. Below Midmar Dam the river plunges some 111 metres down ... more information
Craigie Burn Nature Reserve
Just on the other side of Route 622, which links Mooi River with Greytown, from the Karkloof Nature Reserve you will find Craigie Burn Nature Reserve and Dam. The dam is touted as a beautiful fishing spot in the midst of dairy and stock farming country just north of the Midlands Meander. Craigie Burn dam is one of few ... more information
Howick Falls
Howick Falls' other name is KwaNogqaza, the 'place of the tall one', for obvious reasons – the waterfall is a 95 metre cascade into a broiling, restless pool, regarded by the local Zulus with grave superstition, and said to be the place of the spirits of ancestors. Local legend believes that in the pooll lives a giant ... more information
Howick Falls Gorge Walk
The Gorge Walk at Howick Falls is probably one of the best ways to see some pretty spectacular views of the falls and the gorge, through which the uMngeni River flows, some 20 kilometres north of Pietermaritzburg, to the east of the N3. It is easy to follow and not difficult to do, but will take you ... more information
Midlands Meander
The enchantment of the Midlands has long inspired many a visitor and resident to creativity and as a result, local artists, potters and weavers combined to create an arts and crafts route in 1985, which was to become the highly successful and popular Midlands Meander. The route stretches ... more information
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Things To Do in Karkloof
Karkloof Canopy Tour
Where: Howick
How much (per person): R201 to R500
The Karkloof Canopy Tour has been built in a spectacular valley of the Karkloof Forest Reserve. The tour includes long swooping slides over ... more information
Karkloof Day Spa
Where: Karkloof / Howick
How much (per person): On Request
International award winning Karkloof Spa is home to the most expansive eco-friendly spa in Africa. Magnificently set on a 3500 hectare game ... more information
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Events and/or Festivals in Karkloof
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On Holiday in Karkloof
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