New Hanover, Natal Midlands
New Hanover is a small farming community town just north east of the Albert Falls Dam. It lies on Route 33 between Pietermaritzburg and Greytown.
There's little to the town to merit a stop. A general dealers called Mafutas, which does have a Standard Bank ATM, might warrant a detour but otherwise there is only the local independent preparatory school, a post office, a community centre and the odd shop.
In the old days when New Hanover was originally established, the town would have functioned as a necessary halfway coach stop, with tired travellers staying overnight at the Travellers Rest Inn, recently restored and renamed The Travellers Rest.
New Hanover is not the only village in the area of German origin. Wartburg, Harburg, Lillienthal, Kirchdorf, Hermannsburg and Shroeders are all in the Midlands. And whilst this Wartburg lacks the World Heritage Site and castle that its European counterpart boasts, there are other beautiful places to visit in the area.
Karkloof Nature Reserve, just 48km north west of New Hanover, is a birder's paradise, due in no small part to the mistbelt forest, mistbelt grassland and indigenous forest of the 2800ha reserve.
The added bonus is sightings of several highly threatened species – the Cape parrot, southern ground hornbill, all three crane species, oribi and the Karkloof blue butterfly, as well as several grassland flowers and indigenous trees.
Include a stop at Albert Falls Dam and game reserve for the variety of birds, fishing or motor-boating.
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
@ 21 Guest House
Ideally located 6km from the centre of Pietermaritzburg, @ 21 Guest House offers lovely rooms which can accommodate two adults in air-conditioned...
Hamilton Guesthouse
Situated in Pietermaritzburg, Hamilton Guesthouse offers comfortable accommodation for up to eight guests. Here you are near to a variety of attr...
7 on Oakleigh
7 On Oakleigh Self-catering Garden flats are situated in the leafy, upmarket suburb of Wembley, on the north side of Pietermaritzburg. The units ...
Caladdi Bed and Breakfast
Caladdi Bed and Breakfast offers quality accommodation in the Natal Midlands. From here guests can enjoy easy access to all that the lively Midla...
The Wagon Trail Cottage
Located in Boston in the Natal Midlands, the charming Wagon Trail Cottage is part of Trinity Organic Farm. The Wagon Trail Cottage overlooks the ...
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 ...
Valley Vista Lodge
Valley Vista Lodge is an up market guesthouse situated in a leafy suburb close to the Pietermaritzburg CBD and with stunning views over the city ...
Mooi Lodge at Invermooi
Mooi Lodge at Invermooi offers accommodation in Nottingham road with panoramic views of the Drakensberg Mountains. Invermooi Estate is a pictures...
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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