Page 281 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

THE WILD C O AST , DR AKENSBERG AND MIDLANDS  279

Midmar Dam, one of the tranquil places to stop at on the Midlands Meander
6 Spioenkop Dam Today, Spioenkop is very 7 Midlands
Nature Reserve popular with outdoor enthu- Meander
siasts. The dam offers fishing
Road map E3. 35 km (22 miles) and boating, while eland, Road map: E3. Mooi River.
SW of Ladysmith on Winterton Rd. hartebeest, zebra, giraffe, kudu n 033 330 8195.
Tel 036 488 1578. Open Apr–Sep: and white rhino can be seen in ∑ midlandsmeander.co.za
6am–6pm daily; Oct–Mar: 5am–7pm
daily. &  } D the surrounding nature reserve, The undulating hills of the
∑ kznwildlife.com together with a wide variety KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, with
of bird species. There is also a their green patches of forest
The picturesque dam nestles pleasant camp site here, as well and their dairy farms, have long
at the foot of the 1,466-m as a small shop. Picnic been a retreat
(4,810-ft) high Spioenkop sites are situated favoured by artists
(broadly meaning “lookout along the southern and crafts people.
hill”), which in 1900 was the shoreline, and two In 1985, six studios
scene of a decisive battle short trails (in an area established an arts
between the British and Boer free of dangerous and crafts route: the
forces in the South African War animals) encourage Midlands Meander.
(see p57). The battlefield site visitors to view The route quickly
is accessible from the road, game on foot. gained popu larity
and countless graves and Situated at the Tapestry detail, and now consists
memorials are scattered across base of Spioenkop on Rorke’s Drift of around 400
the mountain’s summit as a the northern shore of members and studios.
grim reminder of what was the dam, Iphika Bush Camp There are four routes that
one of the worst defeats offers rustic tented self-catering meander between the small
suffered by British forces accom modation and is reached towns of Hilton, Nottingham
during that conflict. by walking along a private track. Road, Howick and Mooi River.
Goods on offer include herbs,
cheese, wine, pottery, woven
cloth, leather items, furniture,
stained glass and antiques.
The symbol of the Midlands
Meander seen on road signs
marking the routes is the
endangered Karkloof blue
butterfly, which is indigenous
to this region of KwaZulu-Natal.
Accommodation along the
way ranges from idyllic coun try
hotels, tranquil guest farms
and picturesque lodges to
comfortable bed and break fast
establishments. There are also
The monument to the Battle of Spioenkop overlooks the dam many quaint country pubs.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp388–9 and pp406–7

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