Midlands Meander: An Escape from Reality

The Midlands Meander is one of the most popular routes amongst travellers coming to South Africa. Guaranteed to take your breath away, it is located in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal.

This is a collection of sightseeing routes winding through the Natal Midlands in South Africa. The travellers coming here get the opportunity to drive through the most beautiful farmlands, majestic misty mountains and the most spectacular pine forests one will ever see. This is such a popular destination that most of the Midlands Meander accommodation get sold out pretty easily all around the year.

Today, we will share the must-do activities with you when you come here. So, let us not waste a single minute and dive right in.

5 Places to Visit While In Midlands Meander

There is so much to do and see in Midlands Meander that it is not possible to do everything without proper planning. The list below showcases the top five places that you must visit while you are here.

●      Nelson Mandela Capture Site: South Africa’s beloved Madiba was captured in this place on the 5th of August, 1962, by the police and sentenced to 27 years in prison. That moment was considered to be the first step of Nelson Mandela’s long walk to freedom. This site is filled with amazing artwork. Up close, you will see that it looks like a few poles, but if you stand at a right angle, they will form a picture of Madiba himself.

They also have a visitors centre, where you can see a replica of the Austin Westminster that Mandela was driving when captured. You will also find more information and history about apartheid and the province’s contribution to the freedom of all South Africans.

●      Howick Falls: The Umgeni River, along with its tributaries flowing through South Africa, follows a course of steep hills and gorges that form incredible torrents of water. One such fall that has become a popular tourist attraction is the Howick Falls. When you are there, you can watch the waterfalls either from the viewing deck or from the series of walks and trails to get closer.

If your Midlands Meander accommodation is near Harvard Street, then you can visit Howick Falls through the Gorge Walk. It is one of the most scenic walks that lead to the falls as it takes you through the riverine forest to the pool at the base of the falls.    

According to the local legends, this pool at the base of the waterfalls is inhabited by Inkanyamba, a giant snake-like creature. The folklore says that only sangomas can approach the falls without harm and offer prayers and acts of worship.

●      Drakensberg: This place was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000. The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park is an open-air mountain museum that contains over thirty thousand examples of Bushman rock art throughout the walls of the caves.

However, it is not exactly a part of the Midlands; Drakensberg is an unmissable feature of KwaZulu-Natal. This park has a combination of a wealth of biological diversity and natural beauty. The habitats protect a high level of globally threatened and endemic species, especially plants and birds.

You can easily find Midlands Meander accommodation close to this place. You can enjoy hiking, paintballing, quad biking, and zip lines here. If you are an adventure seeker, you will never be disappointed by a visit to Drakensberg.

●      Karkloof Canopy Tour: Visiting this place is also a must-do. This tour begins with a detailed safety briefing, a session to gear up where you will wear a full body harness. Pulleys and climbing equipment are put on and then checked for safety, followed by a short yet scenic drive to the top of the Karkloof Valley. From the start of the adventure, escorted by a lead guide and a safety guide, a new world unfolds as you gently glide through the forest from platform to platform. At each platform, the guides will explain the ecology of the forest and point out different plants, birds, and mammals.

●      Chocolate Heaven: Located near Lion’s River, this is one of the most famous stops for tourists to relax and get their famous chocolate fondue. They offer a wide selection of over forty delicious combinations, including caramel, Turkish delight, fudge, shortbread and strawberries. You will also get gherkins, curry, koeksisters and the bizzare biltong.

Conclusion

Midlands Meander is a place that will give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It offers outstanding hospitality, mouthwatering cuisine, exciting outdoor activities and adventure sports, historic landmarks, wildlife conservation and unique arts and crafts. It is clear how beautiful of a tourist destination this is and the places mentioned above should be visited by you when you are here.

Try to choose a Midlands Meander accommodation in a location that will be ideal for you to visit the tourist attractions.