The Midlands Meander is situated in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The Midlands Meander is a collection of arranged tourism routes that offer visitors hospitality in truly beautiful surroundings, fascinating local events, fabulous cuisine and restaurants, revitalising outdoor activities and over-the-top adventure sports, historic landmarks, wildlife conservation, and best of all “shop-till-you-drop” unique arts and crafts.
There is much to explore and do along the Midlands Meander that its unlikely you will manage to do it all. Life is lived at a gentler pace. We take time to chat to strangers in the trading store and we grow our own vegetables.
The Midlands Meander is a region in beautiful KwaZulu Natal that stretches from Giants Castle in the north, Hilton in the south, Karkloof in the east and the foothills of the Drakensberg in the west.
Top attractions on the Midlands Meander
Karkloof Canopy Tour – Located just outside Howick, in the Karkloof Nature Reserve, this is a one-of-a-kind eco-experience. The Karkloof Canopy Tour takes visitors gliding from tree to through the second-largest indigenous forest in the country.
The Drakensberg – Considered one of South Africa’s most dramatic landscapes, the Drakensberg mountain range covers over 240 000 hectares of KwaZulu-Natal’s landscape and is a must-see destination for avid nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers and hikers.
Nelson Mandela Capture Site – Visit the capture site of South Africa’s beloved Madiba. Nelson Mandela was captured by police on the 5th of August 1962 and sentenced to 27 years in prison on this very site. The site has this amazing artwork that up close just appears to look like a few steel poles, but when you stand at the right angle, they form a picture of Madiba himself. The Mandela Capture Site have also just opened up a visitors centre, where you can see some more information and history about apartheid and the province’s contribution to the freedom of all South Africans.
Abingdon Wine Estate Just when it is thought the Western Cape was the only place in South Africa with wine farms, Abingdon Wine Estate in the Midlands offers a wine tasting experience completely unique to the countryside of KwaZulu-Natal.
Chocolate Heaven When travelling through the Midlands, and the sweet tooth kicks in, Chocolate Heaven should be the next stop on the journey. The shop offers the finest imported Belgian chocolates, with over 40 delicious combinations.
Nottingham Road Brewing Company – Nestled in the heart of the Midlands Meander, the Nottingham Road Brewing Company is a thriving independent brewery has long been delighting locals and visitors with a range of naturally brewed ales and lagers.
Karkloof Farmers’ Market – The Karkloof Farmers’ Market is a unique indoor Market with a wide array of stalls offering everything from fresh fruit and vegetables sourced from local farmers and producers in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands to fresh home-baked treats and organic products.
Howick Falls At 95 metres high, the Howick Falls on the Umgeni River is one of the 10 tallest waterfalls in South Africa. Known by the Zulus as KwaNogqaza, ‘Place of the Tall One’, the falls are regarded with grave superstition, and said to be the place of the spirits of ancestors.
Swissland Cheese – Established in 1992, Swissland Cheese is an established, unique working farm where visitors can enjoy handmade, artisanal cheeses, as well as spectacular views and hand-selected picnic baskets.
Checkpoint 103 Activity Hub – Checkpoint 103 Activity Hub is where the hassle-free, fun happens. With everything from bubble soccer to go-carting and paintball, Checkpoint 103 in the KZN Midlands is the perfect entertainment venue for the whole family.
