The Karkloof

The Karkloof is situated between Curry's Post, Rietvlei and Howick in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands, South Africa and forms part of the Midlands Meander.

The Karkloof range of hills is one of the most scenic and spectacular areas of KwaZulu-Natal. It is famed for its extensive mist belt forests and mistbelt grasslands. There are also numerous wetlands in the Karkloof, which are important nesting sites for the Wattled Cranes.

The original white settlers found this beautiful area virtually empty... abandoned first by the Bushmen hunter-gatherers in response to encroaching black tribes, then by these same black tribes as King Shaka carved out and expanded his Zulu Empire. During the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879, a church built 16 years earlier served as a fort and remains surrounded by settler graves.

*Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife* has identified the Karkloof area as being of significant value in terms of conservation and has earmarked it as a “biodiversity hotspot”.
Numerous endemic and near-endemic species of fauna and flora thrive in this unique environment. These include a sub-species of crested guinea fowl and the Karkloof Blue butterfly. Marshall and crowned eagles nest and breed among the majestic Black and Yellow Stinkwood trees, while small game including Bushbuck, Oribi, Blue Duiker and monkeys roam freely.

Hikers have a number of interesting trails to choose from that will allow them to explore some of the most picturesque spots including six waterfalls. Other activities to be enjoyed in the area are mountain biking, fishing and swimming in natural crystal clear pools. The more adventurous may want to try the Karkloof Canopy Tour which gives visitors a bird’s eye view of the forest while suspended (safely harnessed) 40 meters above the ground.

Bird watching in the Karkloof can be a very rewarding activity which may result in spotting some of the more elusive species such as the endemic crested guinea fowl, the critically endangered Cape Parrots, Narina Trogon, Crowned Eagles, Blue Cranes, Wattled Cranes and Grey Crowned Cranes. Bird-watchers have reported up to 200 species of birds in the area.

The Karkloof certainly has much to offer visitors, and a visit to the Natal Midlands would not be complete without spending some time exploring it.