Major city · South Africa
Howick
Spend a half‑day to see Howick Falls and the Mandela Monument; add an overnight if you want the Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.
Howick is a small KwaZulu‑Natal town centred on the 94‑m Howick Falls and nearby historic sites. The attractions are close together, so a half‑day covers the main sights; a night lets you explore the surrounding nature reserve.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- avoid Jun–Jul (peak heat)
- Airport
- DUR
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Howick112 ▾
- Mobile emergency112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Howick, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check).South Africa-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper.South Africa-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.South Africa-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.South Africa-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/M/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Africa-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe; stay alert for stray dogs, keep valuables out of sight, and avoid isolated areas after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 Mobile emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open daily in cities; small towns close Sunday afternoon.South Africa-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportDUR King Shaka International Airport (about 150 km (93 mi) north on the N3; shuttle or rental car needed).DUR King Shaka International Airport (about 93 mi (150 km) north on the N3; shuttle or rental car needed).
- Getting aroundBy car; the N3 provides the main access, and local roads lead to the falls and nature reserve.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR20–R35
- BeerBeer (draft)R30–R45
- Budget bedBed & Breakfast room, a night, per personR 500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 600 · Mid R 900 · High R 1,300
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- DUR King Shaka International Airport (about 150 km (93 mi) north on the N3; shuttle or rental car needed)DUR King Shaka International Airport (about 93 mi (150 km) north on the N3; shuttle or rental car needed)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Apr
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Care
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Care
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Oct
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Nov
not flagged
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
not flagged
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Apr–May, Aug–Oct. Mixed: Jun–Jul. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jul (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jun (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Howick: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Mar
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6 rd
Apr
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Sep
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Oct
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
7 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
By car; the N3 provides the main access, and local roads lead to the falls and nature reserve.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve
goDoor to door: ≈15 min each way
Drive 5 km (3.1 mi) south of town on Karkloof RoadDrive 3.1 mi (5 km) south of town on Karkloof Road
Wildlife viewing; entry free, parking fee may apply
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Stocklands Farm Bed and Breakfast
150‑year‑old stone house; basic rooms, good for a night stay
The Lodge @ Currys Post
Farm lodge on a hill with mountain views; family‑run
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R6,000–9,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- R9,000–13,000 excl. bed
- High
- R13,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Bed & Breakfast room2 × 1 night × R 800 | R 1,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × R 900 | R 1,800 |
| Car rental (compact, 1 day)2 × R 500 · check | R 1,000 |
| Fuel (approx. 150 km round trip)2 × R 150 · check | R 300 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 470 |
| Trip total≈ R 2,585 per person per day, bed included | R 5,170≈ US$300 |
Typical for Stocklands Farm B&B
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R20–R35 |
| Pancake meal | R80–R130 |
| Beer (draft) | R30–R45 |
| Car rental (compact, per day)check | R350–R700 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Two of the three N3 exits have speed bumps; use the Tweedie/Howick exit for low‑slung cars.
- Check opening hours of the Mandela Monument and nature reserve (may vary seasonally).
Emergency numbers
- Mobile emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
HowickHowick
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Sicela ungibekele le ndawoTo this address, please
Emergency
- Mobile emergency112
Embassy
South African consulates are in major cities; nearest to Howick is Durban.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- N3 Durban → Howick (car): ≈R350 fuel + tolls; 2 h drive (check)
Say or show
- Uxolo — Excuse me / Sorry (oo‑kso‑lo)
- Ngiyabonga — Thank you (ngee‑yah‑bong‑ga)
- Kangakanani? — How much is this? (kah‑ngah‑kah‑nee‑tee)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Howick. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Oct · avoid Jun–Jul (peak heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
- secondaryHowick Museum page
- secondaryUmgeni Valley Nature Reserve Facebook
- secondaryWikivoyage: Howick, revision 5245986 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Howick
Loading…
Was this useful?