Howick Falls in South Africa is a natural waterfall over 300 feet high with a specially constructed viewing platform so you can take photos. Over the years, a tourist industry has grown around the water and there are now woodland walks along the edge of the river plus a host of cafes, gift shops and souvenir stalls. It will take you an hour or so to drive here from Durban, but it’s worth it – especially if you head to the nearby Nelson Mandela Capture Site too.
Many of the shops in the Town of Howick at the top of the falls, sell South African crafts and and there are plenty of eating options too. One fascinating shop here sells antiques and collectables from around the world and is crammed from floor to ceiling with unusual items. If it’s souvenirs that you want, the are a collection of craft stalls at the top of the falls and we thought they were generally very well priced. There are public toilets here too, but after our experience we wouldn’t recommend using them!
Before we visited, we’d read complaints about women doing their washing in the water at the top of the waterfall. However, we quite liked the fact that they were there. They lay out their clothes and sheets on the rocks to dry in the sun and you get the feeling that people have been using the falls for that purpose for hundreds of years. The landscape you can see from the viewing platform looking away from the falls is beautiful, so don’t forget to look in that direction too.
All in all we thought Howick Falls was well worth visiting, but mainly because of the incredible natural sight you’re seeing. The town could be spruced up better, but it’s getting there and there’s plenty to occupy some time while you look around.If you’ve made the trip to Howick Falls, we’d also recommend visiting the nearby Nelson Mandela Capture Site. It’s just an ordinary stretch of road, but the sculpture that’s now been built is truly extraordinary.
LOCATION & MAP
Howick Falls is signposted from the Main Road in Howick. To get there from Durban, take the N3 Highway and then the Howick/R103 turnoff into the town. There is free parking on the site.
MORE ON HOWICK FALLS
Howick Falls – Wikipedia
Howick Falls – SouthAfrica.net
More Things To Do In & Around Durban
Hotels in nearby Durban – We recommend Hotels.com
Durban Guide Books – Amazon.co.uk
Durban City Guide – From our sister-site, Free-City-Guides.com