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 review
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 review
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
Rockwood Mountain Cabin
Rockwood Mountain Lodge located in the Karkloof Nature Reserve is ideal if your family wants to get away from it all and go hiking up to the beau...
Rockwood Forest Lodge
Rockwood Forest Lodge offers award-winning luxury self-catering accommodation in the Midlands. Escape the City and get back to basics, but don't ...
Belvidere Loft Villa
Belvidere Loft Villa is located on a working farm on the Belvidere Country Estate in the Yarrow Valley, Karkloof. Karkloof is home to picturesque...
Rockwood Farm Cottage
Rockwood Farm Cottage is nestled on the wall of Spitzkop Farm Dam. This self-catering cottage offers access to some of the best mountain biking r...
Belvidere Mountain View Villa
Belvidere Mountain View Villa offers Midlands self catering with the most glorious views of the Karkloof reserve and of the mountains. Fall aslee...
11 Karkloof
11 Karkloof offers accommodation in five self catering cottages each sleeping four, the Round House which sleeps 12 and Falls House which sleeps ...
Belvidere Vlei Villa
Belvidere Vlei Villa is a self catering holiday home in Karkloof sleeping four adults and two children. There are two bedrooms, one furnished wit...
Rockwood Farm House
Rockwood Farm House is a four bedroom luxurious, contemporary and spacious home. The private Karkloof Nature Reserve is a short drive away. Explo...
Belvidere Country Estate
Belvidere Country Estate offers modern self-catering villas and holiday homes nestled on a working farm in the Yarrow Valley, Karkloof, and is ho...
Belvidere Dam View Villa
Belvidere Dam View Villa has the most glorious views of the Karkloof reserve and of grazing farmland. Fall asleep to the sound of a black-backed ...
Things to do in the area
Karkloof Canopy Tour
Warm summers and temperate to cool winters make Howick and its mother province of KwaZulu-Natal ideal for visitors all year round. The gorgeous N...
Karkloof Farmers Market
For the ultimate in fresh produce, delicious indulgences, and family fun close to Durban, the Karkloof Farmers' Market is your weekend go-to duri...
Benvie Farm
Benvie Farm is an ideal spot for birding and garden enthusiasts. This hundred and twenty year old garden was established by cabinet maker and tre...
Karkloof Crane & Conservation Centre
The Karkloof Crane and Conservation Centre is an exquisite natural resource in the heart of the scenic South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. W...
Karkloof MTB Trails
Where: Karkloof area, near HowickLevel: easy to extremely difficultType of route: variedBest: any time of year Regarded in the MTB world as TH...
Ardmore Ceramic Art Studio
Africa's Iconic Luxury Brand ~ Drawing Inspiration from African Art and Nature to Create Unique Ceramics, Luxury Décor, and Fashion.The vibrant c...
Noteworthy attractions
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 undula...
Midmar Dam Nature Reserve
The large stretch of fresh water from the uMngeni, coupled with 1000 hectares of game park that contains red hartebeest, blesbok, reedbuck, black...
Bosch Hoek Golf Club
Bosch Hoek Golf Course in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands must qualify as one of the most picturesque layouts in the country. The estate is convenient...
Gowrie Farm Golf Course
Gowrie Farm Golf Course, one of KwaZulu Natal's finest golf courses, was built in the traditional way with push up greens and rugged bunkers. The...
Maritzburg Golf Club
The Maritzburg Golf Club in Pietermaritzburg is one of the oldest golf clubs in South Africa, dating back to 1886. It has lush, smooth cynodon gr...
Sakabula Golf Club
Sakabula Golf Club is a unique combination of agricultural smallholdings around a delightful 18-hole, par 73, golf course in a scenic rural envir...
Victoria Country Club
Less than five minutes from the CBD of Pietermaritzburg, the Victoria Country Club is superbly located in the scenic parklands adjoining the Quee...
Battlefields Route
The KwaZulu Natal hinterland has witnessed some of the most brutal and significant battles to be fought in South Africa. These historical sites f...
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 c...
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