Near the town of Howick in the Natal Midlands, and conveniently close to the N3-freeway, you will find one of Kwazulu-Natal Province’s most popular playgrounds, the Midmar Dam Nature Reserve.

Midmar Dam

Most of the visitor activity is centred on the large Midmar Dam. Being the venue for the world’s biggest open-water swimming event, the Midmar Mile, held annually in February, the public resort with its well-kept lawns is especially geared to the enjoyment of a wide variety of water sports. Along the 15km of developed shoreline are zones set aside for picnics, fishing, powerboating and yachting, and a restaurant is located near the entrance. Accommodation options ranges from camping sites to fully equipped chalets.

Midmar Dam chalets

Midmar Dam picnic area

Midmar Misty Morning

Midmar Dam

Midmar Dam chalets

Midmar Dam camping

At full capacity the Midmar Dam covers over 1,800ha, with the land area of the reserve covering an additional 2,844ha. A section of the reserve is set aside as a game park hosting a selection of non-dangerous mammals, including the rare oribi antelope, and a wide variety of birds, including the majestic fish eagle, in natural surroundings where visitors are allowed to walk, cycle or drive around in their own vehicles.

African Fish Eagle in low-level flight over Midmar

Black-winged lapwing

Midmar Dam Game Park

Huge flock of red-knobbed coot at Midmar

Red hartebeest on burnt grassland in the game park at Midmar

Plains zebra in the game park at Midmar

Tranquil nature scene at Midmar

Fish eagle being followed by a pied crow

Black wildebeest

Midmar Misty Morning

Plains zebra in the game park at Midmar

Kittlitz’s Plover at Midmar

Plains zebra in the game park at Midmar

Common duiker in the game park at Midmar

We found Midmar an excellent base from which to explore some other wild places in the area, particularly the Queen Elizabeth Park Nature Reserve, Karkloof Conservancy and Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, as well as the many country stalls, farms, art galleries and eateries that make up the “Midlands Meander”.