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Bjørn Christian Tørrissen CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Howick Falls

Waterfall

Howick Falls, a roughly 95-metre drop on the Umgeni River near Howick, offers lookout platforms and short walking trails. Visitors come for views, picnics and local craft stalls beside the falls.

Howick Falls DurbanPietermaritzburgRichards BayNewcastle, KwaZulu-NatalVryheidUlundiKwaDukuzaPinetownHowick Falls
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Howick Falls essentials

Address: Howick Falls, Howick, KwaZulu‑Natal, South Africa
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About Howick Falls

Howick Falls is a waterfall on the Umgeni River near the town of Howick in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, known for its high single drop of roughly 95 metres. The site is a local landmark and a frequent stop for visitors travelling inland from the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

The main attraction is the dramatic single-drop cascade into a wooded gorge with a well-established rim viewpoint and walking paths. Nearby amenities include a small park area and interpretive signage about local natural and cultural significance.

The falls have long cultural importance for local Zulu communities and were a noted landmark during colonial and modern periods. Access is via short walks from the parking and viewing areas established on the site.

Howick Falls lies adjacent to the town of Howick, roughly inland from the Durban metropolitan area, set within a rolling, partly wooded landscape of KwaZulu-Natal.

  • Height: The falls have a single vertical drop of about 95 metres on the Umgeni River, forming a deep plunge pool at the base that is visible from the viewing area.
  • Viewing tips: Best panoramic views are available from the fenced lookout points on the rim above the falls; late winter and spring produce higher flows after seasonal rains.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Howick Falls

Visit during or shortly after the summer rainy season (November-March) to see the falls at their most impressive, with warm weather.

Wet/summer (peak falls)
November-March · 20-30°C
After summer rains the falls are at their fullest and most dramatic; warm and humid conditions prevail.
Autumn-winter (drier, cooler)
April-October · 8-20°C
Cooler, drier weather with lower river levels at times; pleasant for walking and sightseeing with fewer insects.

Weather & Climate near Howick Falls

Climate

Howick Falls's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in June). Temperatures range from 3°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (829 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 66 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
AprilJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 16° - 26° 21° 136 mm overcast 78% 2.4 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.7h
February Very Good 16° - 26° 21° 118 mm partly cloudy 79% 2.1 m/s 2.3 extreme 13.0h
March Very Good 14° - 25° 20° 108 mm partly cloudy 78% 2.0 m/s 1.9 very high 12.1h
April Excellent 11° - 24° 18° 46 mm partly cloudy 74% 1.6 m/s 1.3 high 11.3h
May Excellent 7° - 22° 14° 18 mm mostly sunny 66% 2.0 m/s 0.9 moderate 10.5h
June Excellent 3° - 20° 12° 10 mm mostly sunny 62% 1.7 m/s 0.7 moderate 10.1h
July Excellent 4° - 20° 12° 12 mm mostly sunny 59% 1.9 m/s 0.7 moderate 10.3h
August Very Good 6° - 21° 14° 25 mm some cloud 58% 2.3 m/s 1.0 moderate 11.0h
September Excellent 9° - 23° 16° 45 mm partly cloudy 60% 2.7 m/s 1.3 high 11.8h
October Very Good 11° - 23° 17° 77 mm partly cloudy 67% 2.7 m/s 1.7 very high 12.7h
November Good 13° - 24° 18° 106 mm overcast 72% 2.7 m/s 2.1 extreme 13.5h
December Good 15° - 26° 20° 128 mm overcast 75% 2.5 m/s 2.4 extreme 13.9h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Howick Falls

Howick Falls is in the town of Howick in KwaZulu‑Natal, on the Umgeni River. By car, follow the N3 motorway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg and take the turnoff for Howick, then follow local signs into town and to the Falls viewpoint; Howick is roughly a 40‑minute drive from Pietermaritzburg and about 1-1.5 hours from Durban depending on traffic. Once in Howick town centre the main falls viewpoint is a short 5-10 minute walk from the centre (follow signs to the Falls/Umgeni River viewing site).

Tips for Visiting Howick Falls

  • Visit early in the morning to enjoy the falls with fewer visitors and to combine the stop with nearby sites before day‑trip coach traffic arrives.
  • Park and viewpoint access are in Howick town rather than at the bottom of the gorge; use the official Falls Park entrance and viewpoint platforms for the safest, closest views.
  • Combine the falls with a short drive to the Nelson Mandela Capture Site memorial and interpretive centre outside Howick to add historical context to your visit.