Above the 95-metre-high Howick Falls, Howick began as a dangerous ford across the uMngeni River. Among the Zulu, the waterfall is known as kwaNogqaza. History and landscape come together here in a distinctive way—and the other places in the district each offer their own perspectives on culture, nature and shared experiences.
Howick: History in the landscape and in sculpture
The Nelson Mandela Capture Site commemorates Nelson Mandela’s arrest outside Howick on 5 August 1962. The site includes a visitor centre and the Release sculpture. Its 50 steel columns form Mandela’s face when viewed from a particular angle. The Long Walk to Freedom leads through a landscaped garden alongside a timeline of his life, bringing historical remembrance together with a walk through the grounds.
The site offers guided and self-guided tours, as well as programmes for school groups and conferences. Another historic destination is the KwaZulu-Natal Museum in Pietermaritzburg: it opened on 30 November 1904 and houses significant South African cultural collections. Its historical and educational exhibits include a T-Rex and a recreation of a Victorian street scene. Each year, the Mandela Day Marathon connects Mandela-related sites in Pietermaritzburg and Howick. It starts at Manaye Hall in Imbali Township and finishes at the Capture Site; check the relevant event dates when planning your trip.
Waterfall, forest and trails
About one kilometre from Howick lies the 900-hectare WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve. It offers striking views of the gorge below Howick Falls. Zebras, giraffes, wildebeest, nyalas and bushbuck live in the reserve. The combination of waterfall scenery and wildlife gives the area a different character from the district’s historic sites.
The trails and activities also offer a range of experiences. The Falls2Falls trail is a popular three-day slackpacking hike in uMngeni. The Karkloof Canopy Tour passes through the indigenous Karkloof Forest, with twelve platforms and ten slides. At Midmar Resort in Howick, day visitors can fish for trout, bass and carp. Nature experiences range from a multi-day hike to a specific fishing option for day visitors.
Community life and regional discoveries
In Mpophomeni Township, the Zulu Mpophomeni Tourism Experience is an award-winning community-based initiative. Its tours include visits to the Nokulunga Gumede Memorial and the Mpophomeni Museum; the offering also includes authentic Shisanyama culinary experiences. The Festival of Beads takes place annually in the uMshwathi community. If you would like to plan your visit around it, check the latest event dates.
Pietermaritzburg and Mooi River also add to the picture of the district. Umgungundlovu District is home to Pietermaritzburg’s iconic City Hall and the KwaZulu-Natal National Botanical Garden, which showcases indigenous plants. Mooi River lies on the N3, which connects Durban and Johannesburg. Within the wider destination of KwaZulu-Natal, uMngeni is at the heart of the Midlands Meander; this route is 80 kilometres long and runs between Pietermaritzburg and the uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Mountains. Together, these places show how closely nature experiences, cultural destinations and regional orientation sit alongside one another in this part of KwaZulu-Natal.
Discover more destinations: Wartburg, Nottingham Road, Hilton, Howick, Camperdown, Richmond, Impendle, Ilembe.
Go to the main travel overview: Kwazulu-Natal.
