Lions River, Natal Midlands

The little hamlet of Lions River lies between Lidgetton and Howick right in the heart of the Natal Midlands about an hour’s drive from Durban; a tiny modest ‘if you blink you might miss it’ village, with not much beyond a trading store to lure you to stop.

But Lions River is a lot more than the tiny village. From Lions River there are gorgeous views over the Dargle Valley and conservancy that offer an element of country charm that is the midlands of KwaZulu Natal - mistbelt grassland, rivers, dam, veld and an incredible array of bird life all contribute to the splendour. As part of a conservancy, the Dargle Valley has set out to protect the natural beauty and biodiversity in a bid to ensure that it remains for future generations. With this in mind, a coalition of people living here avidly promote conservation and try to maintain the rural character of the valley and its surrounds.

When it comes to things to do, the Trading Post in Lions River is worth the aforementioned stop for its collectables and antique furniture, whilst Howick is only 10 minutes away and offers restaurants, bars, shops, and the beckoning invitation of the Howick Falls. The Midlands Meander is right on your doorstep and the Karkloof Canopy tours is worth the effort to cross to the other side of the N3 to the top of the Karkloof Valley from where you launch yourself through the forest canopy via platforms built up in the trees.