Top 10 Amazing Facts about KZN Midlands Meanders

KwaZulu-Natal Midlands in the Summer. Photo by Aleph500Adam-Wikimedia Commons 

Top 10 Amazing Facts about KZN Midlands Meanders

City life can sometimes get exhausting. The bustles and hustles of urban life, the hooting noise of cars, the rowdy crowds, the congested. Getting away from the big life city of Kwa Zulu Natal and enjoying a piece of country living and serenity. As you consider that much-awaited and deserved break and rest, in the winding roads Crisscrossing streams and rolling hills.

As you plan to get away, here are the 10 Amazing facts about KZN Midlands Meanders that you should know.

1. What is the Midlands Meander?

Lade der Region Midlands in KwaZulu Natal – Wikimedia Commons

 The Midlands Meander is a region within the beautiful KwaZulu Natal area that springs from beyond the Moor River in the North, the Hilton in the south, Karkloof in the East, and the Drakensberg in the West.

The Midlands Meander route itself is situated between Pietermaritzburg city in the East and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Mountain range in the West within the uMgungundlovu district  in the Zulu kingdoms.

The Midlands Meander offers a wide selection of experiences that are covered within an 80 Km long stretch within the heart of KwaZulu Natal. To get to the Midland Meander a collection of routes presents a number of routes branching off the main highway between Johannesburg and Durban, the N3.  The ride is just an hour away from Durban and 4.5 hours from Johannesburg.  

This stretch offers a collection of tourism and hospitality establishments that provide a premier tourist experience in the beautiful part of Zulu Kingdom, South Africa.  

2. KZN midlands meanders is a world class art and expeditions

The concept of the Midlands meander route was born where four potters, a weaver, and a couple of artists converged to collaborate on their expedition in art which birthed a vision that resulted in the biggest unmatched community – tourism project within the country.

Within the stretch of the Dargle, Fort Nottingham, Curry’s Post, or Rosetta Roads, one is able to visit a studio or workshop with one of the finest craftsmen and women in the world. Here art and the artists converge and the tourists have an opportunity to discuss about the artwork which comprises leather work, and pottery with world-class artists and crafters.

3. Midlands meanders lush and green forests and farmlands

Lush Green Forests photo by Pradeep 12985-Wikimedia Commons

The Midlands Meander offers relaxed and beautiful scenery coupled with beautiful countryside that calls people to come to the Meander to escape the rushed hustles and bustles of urban-city life. The green scenery offers relief from the hard concrete and asphalt constructions that contrast and offer a gentler pace of life and fresher air. Within this Eden scenery, you will find an auspicious and flourishing indigenous forest secluded in a mist belt of Karkloof, whose gentle sway of the trees and gurgling of trickling streams babbles between and over rocks.

The delicate beauty of tall canopies hides the Samango Monkeys and the Knysna louries, the overhead gliding harness on the tree line of the Zipline above as well as the waterfalls that complete heaven on earth within the Zulu Kingdom.

4. KZN midlands meanders culinary experience

potatoes and chicken steak Photo by Petar Milošević- Wikimedia Commons 

The lush greenery and a well-set table are undeniably appetite builders after a once-in-a-lifetime walk through the Midlands Meander.

The Midlands Meander boasts of a culinary experience that would leave you satiable after a sumptuous meal. The following charming restaurants scattered across the hills offer favorite cuisines and delights that are full filling and nutritious.

The Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse, the La Lampara Italian Restaurant, and the Hartford House all offer decadent meals that are heavenly dishes with a romantic setting beneath towering mountains and pastures of the Midlands.

5. Midlands meanders wine tasting and vineyards

Wine photo by Fhynek00-Wikimedia Commons 

The beautiful plumb and full grapes of the vineyards of the farms of the Midlands will give you a wine tasting experience that is absolutely unique to the countryside of KwaZulu Natal different from those of the Western Cape.

The vineyards of Abingdon Wine Estate as well as the Highgate Wine Estate offers wine tasting and delicious food with picturesque scenery surrounding.

6. KZN horse riding in the Crisp Air

The green lush grassland fields of the Midland mountains, the crisp air with fine pleasant weather of calm winds and moderate breeze on a horseback is something to ride up for in the crispy morning or late in the evening is one to look forward to.

The Midlands Meander Horse Trails, the Horse riding at Hartford House in South Africa, the Stormy Hill Horse rails, and the Buffelsbosch Equestrian offer experienced guides and gentle horses that would be able to navigate the contours of the KwaZulu-Natal countryside.

7. Midlands meanders favourite, Say 3 C’s – Cheese, Coffee, and Chocolate

Sweet Aromatic Coffee Photo by Petr Kratochvil –Wikimedia Commons 

For those with a sweet tooth for chocolate, and a tasteful tongue for Marrakesh Cheese Farm which provides a range of Cottage Cheese, Gorgonzola, Gouda, Chabrie, Feta, Chevin, and Gruyere amongst others.

The taste and smell of chocolate and coffee allow you to drink the local artisan coffee of Terbodore Coffee Roasters whose taste professes a passion for coffee brewing. The sweet tooth has a haven at Chocolate Heaven where there are more tastes to savor. The “Dripping Experience” flavor of Turkish delight to the sweet strawberry offers one a unique opportunity to taste the Midlands heaven chocolate candy of South Africa.

8. Midlands meanders beer Tasting

The Nottingham Road Brewing Company offers a range of beers from the Tiddling Toad to gins which you can enjoy and lazy during the afternoon sipping and lazing the day away.

9.KZN Fly Fishing

The gurgling rivers and the serene still dams are amongst the most popular fishing destinations within the country with the Midland being a fisherman’s paradise with crowded bass, indigenous yellowfish, and trout.

10. Farms produce, Fresh from the Farmers’ Market

Fresh Farm Produce. photo by Mutai Sam- Wikimedia Commons

Opened every Saturday, this unique indoor market supplements the farmers’ income by supporting the local farmers who offer fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh fruit juice as well as organic products. The locally fresh sourced produce is sold at the Karkloof Farmer’s Market.