The small picturesque town voted one of the best in South Africa

Howick, a historic town in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, has been voted as one of the best in South Africa.

Howick is located in the Umngeni Local Municipality. The town is 1050 m above sea level, and about 88 kilometres from the port city of Durban.

The region along the uMngeni River was inhabited by Indigenous San hunter-gatherers and later Zulu communities.

Local Zulu tradition held the pool below the falls in spiritual significance, viewing it as the domain of the mythical water giant.

In 1849, the Wesleyan Missionary James Archbell bought land near the northern bank of the uMngeni River.

Recognising the need for a safe river crossing for transport wagons, the British colonial government acquired part of the farm in 1850 to lay out a town.

The village was named Howick in honour of Henry Grey, the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, whose family estate was Howick Hall in Northumberland, England.

The town has historic significance, including that it hosted a concentration camp during the Second Anglo-Boer War.

Today, a monument stands in Howick commemorating the women and children who died during their incarceration in the camp.

Howick was also the place where Nelson Mandela, disguised as a chauffeur, was arrested on 5 August 1962.

Police intercepted his car and arrested him. This arrest initiated Mandela’s 27-year imprisonment on Robben Island and in other facilities.

In December 1996, President Nelson Mandela returned to Howick to receive the Freedom of the Town.

Today, the site of his arrest houses the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, featuring Marco Cianfanelli’s world-famous steel column sculpture and visitor museum.

Howick voted one of the best towns in South Africa

Howick was voted one of the best towns in South Africa in the 2026 Kwêla Town of the Year awards.

The award is based on a competition for towns in South Africa and Namibia with a population under 500,000.

The initiative celebrates small-town charm, community resilience, local hospitality, and civic pride across South Africa and Namibia.

This year, the finalists were Gansbaai, Secunda, Hopetown, Mokopane, Keimond, Bethlehem, Howick, Hartbeespoort, and Gobabis.

Hartbeespoort was named Town of the Year, winning a R1 million investment from Lottoland and another R1 million in airtime from kykNET.

Howick was one of the finalists. It is not surprising, considering it is a picturesque town with a 95-meter waterfall on the uMngeni River, near the centre of town.

It also features the Midmar Dam, a hub for watersports, fishing, sailing, and game viewing, including zebra, hartebeest, and other antelope species.

It is also renowned for hosting the annual Midmar Mile, the world’s largest open-water swimming event.

The Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve near Howick covers the valley and gorge below Howick Falls, offering extensive hiking trails, birdwatching, and giraffe sightings.

Just north of Howick, the Karkloof valley features indigenous mistbelt forests, the Karkloof Canopy Tour, and the 88-meter Karkloof Falls.

The town offers relaxed rural charm and a thriving artistic community. It features historic Victorian-era buildings, local craft markets, coffee shops, and antique stores.

It also serves as a centre for surrounding dairy and forestry farms and is a popular hub for retirees and remote workers seeking a country lifestyle.

Hotspot for retirement

A cluster of retirement villages along Karkloof Falls Road has drawn retirees from across the country and abroad.

Prominent among these are Amberfield, Amberglen, Amber Valley, Amber Ridge, BrandonsField, and Amber Lakes.

These villages are designed for retirees and offer great facilities, social activities, and a sense of community.

Amberglen, for example, has a large dining hall, a bar, and many planned events to keep residents active and connected.

The Midlands region, with its cooler but not extreme winters, provides an ideal climate for retirees compared to the sometimes harsh conditions in Gauteng or the Western Cape.

This, combined with affordable property prices, makes Howick an attractive option. Buyers typically spend between R2 million and R3 million on homes in the area.

Harcourts South Africa CEO Richard Grey said the town is attracting a diverse range of buyers, including people from Gauteng, the Western Cape, and KwaZulu-Natal.

Additionally, some international buyers, particularly from the UK, are recognising the value Howick offers as a retirement destination.

With its affordability, beautiful surroundings, and strong retirement communities, Howick is becoming a top choice for retirees.

It offers a peaceful, comfortable lifestyle with all the necessary amenities, making it the perfect place to enjoy one’s golden years.

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Photos of Howick and the surrounding area

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