Karkloof - Natal Midlands

Karkloof is situated between Curry's Post, Rietvlei and Howick in the kwa zulu natal midlands, south africa

The Karkloof is an area little visited by tourists but inevitably rewards those that do. The Karkloof is a flat topped range that forms a barrier between the Natal coast and the Drakensberg.

The highest point at Karkloof is Mount Gilboa almost 1800m above sea level and commands unsurpassed views of the Midlands. Most of the Karkloof is heavily wooded either with plantations or protected indigenous forest.

The Karkloof Nature Reserve is a 900ha area of yellowwood and stinkwood in which the rare martial eagles breed. The Karkloof Falls is a delightful spot with picnic, swimming and braai spots.

It was also in the Karkloof the some of the firsts in aviation history was accomplished here. John Goodman Household fabricated a glider based on the form of a vulture he had killed. It was made of oiled fabric and bamboo. In 1871, fearlessly launching himself from the top of a kloof, he glided the full width of the Karkloof Valley - well over a kilometre - before crashing into a tree and breaking his leg. His mother dissuaded him from any more foolish pursuits.

Karkloof Attractions

Karkloof nature reserve situated on the east side of the Midlands Meander. The first white settlers found this beautiful area of Karkloof virtually empty...abandoned first by the ancient San hunter-gatherers in response to encroaching black tribes, then by these same black tribes as King Shaka carved out and expanded his Zulu Empire.
Karkoof Falls. It is well signposted and you take the road to the right into the plantation. It is a gravel road of at least 5km, but the drive is well worth it, especially during the months December to April. The Karkloof Falls is a fantastic sight and for those who have time to spare, there are picnic sites where you can view the water plunging down into the valley.
The Karkloof Canopy Tour is a unique eco-experience that takes people on a 3-hr adventure through the magnificent Karkloof indigenous forest. The canopy tour involves traversing from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 30m above the forest floor. The tour comprises seven platforms and eight slides that zig-zag down a pristine forested valley. The scenery and birdlife is spectacular and professional guides provide interesting facts about the forest ecology during the tour.
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