The picturesque town of Howick is situated in the Midlands Meander in the uMgungundlovu area of the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. About 24 km North of Pietermaritzburg and 88 km from Durban it is easily accessible and well worth visiting.
The main attraction and located more or less in the centre of the town is the Howick Falls, a beautiful large waterfall 95 meters high which has formed as a result of the Umgeni river falling over dolomite cliffs on its way to the Indian Ocean.
The Howick Falls are called KwaNogqaza (Place of the tall one) by the Zulu people and were first seen by Europeans as pioneers drove their wagon trains while moving inland. The town of Howick was named after the Northumberland home of Earl Grey who was the British Colonial Secretary at that time. During the pioneer days of KwaZulu-Natal there were a number of people who were swept over the falls because the settlers believed that the best crossing place of the river was very close to the falls.
Tourists wishing to experience the beauty of this waterfall in KwaZulu Natal can do so by walking down to the base of the waterfall where the tumultuous water foams as it reaches the end of its long fall, but if you prefer not to take the hour long walk the waterfall can be viewed from a platform at the top of the falls.
Varied accommodation is available in Howick and there are also a number of good restaurants to be found. You might also enjoy shopping for Zulu Arts and Crafts for which the area is well known as well as antiques.
Other places to visit in the area are the Albert Falls Dam Nature reserve and the Midmar Dam Nature Reserve.
