Drakensberg
Nature Reserves
-
Royal Natal
- Cathedral Peak
- Mnweni
- Monks Cowl
- Injasuti
- Giants Castle
- Highmoor
- Kamberg
- Lotheni
- Vergelegen
- Sani Pass
- Cobham
- Bushmans Nek
Drakensberg Attractions
- Bushman Rock
Art
- Hiking Trails
- Hot air
ballooning
- Horse trails
- Helicopter & Microlight
flights
- Restaurants
- Arts & Crafts
- Drakensberg
Boys Choir
- Canopy Tours
- Midlands Meander
- Fly Fishing
- Game Viewing
- Golf
- White Water
rafting
- Birding
-
Quad Biking
- 4x4 Offroad trails
- Battlefield
Tours
- Wine Tasting
- Museums
- Bicycle tours
- Abseiling
- Wellness & Spas
Drakensberg Towns
- Bergville
- Ladysmith
- Winterton
- Estcourt
- Mooi River
- Weenen
- Underberg
- Himeville
- Rosetta
- Nottingham Road
- Balgowan
- Howick
- Lidgetton
- Currys Post
- Karkloof
- Lions River
- Fort Nottingham
- Hilton
- Dargle
Drakensberg
Accommodation
Drakensberg
Links

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Himeville - Southern Drakensberg
Visitors to Himeville can arrange with local tour operators for day trips
up Sani Pass
Himeville was named after Sir Alfred Hime, a road engineer elected Prime
Minister of Natal in 1889 The southern Drakensberg the region around Himeville
presents more fly-fishing opportunities than anywhere else in the country,
with the Underberg-Himeville Trout Fishing Club holding rights to more than
160km of river plus 60 dams with a surface area exceeding 400 hectares. The
district further boasts three golf courses and numerous rivers for swimming,
rafting, canoeing and tubing. Horse trails and polo fields add a further
dimension to the available fun and excitement.
Himeville Museum was built in 1900 as the last of Natal's loop-holed forts
before housing prisoners until 1972. An open-air exhibition of settler and
agricultural history is surrounded by display rooms housing military, African
traditional and even trout- fishing memorabilia. Further, the museum is home
to a valued collection of San artefacts and an insightful interpretation
of the life and times of these ancient ones is to be found there.
Visitors to Himeville can arrange with local tour operators for day trips
up Sani Pass or, providing that they have a 4 x 4 vehicle, choose to make
the trip into Lesotho on their own. For those wishing to go on their own
a valid passport is compulsory.
There are also a number of dams in and around the Underberg/Himeville District
for the fly fishing enthusiast. Horse rides can be arranged locally. In summer
it makes the perfect base for canoeists who plan to paddle the rivers in
the area from the Umkomaas to the Umzimkulu.
Himeville Tourism Attractions
- Himeville Museum
The Himeville Museum is one of the best rural museums in the country due
to ts wide range of exhibits. From fossils and stone age artifacts to a
comprehensive display on the Bushmen, the early settlers as well as African
beadwork and artifacts. The displays also cover the Anglo Boer War and
the two world wars. There is an old post office and a school room, wild
life display and many farming implements and machinery including a blacksmiths
forge and a workshop.The museum is housed in the old fort or laager started
in 1896 by the Border Mounted Rifles sent to police the area after the
LeFleur Rebellion of 1895. Completed in 1899 it was only used once during
the Bambata rebellion of 1906 although no fighting took place nearby. It
was taken over by the Natal Mounted Police after the Anglo Boer War and
turned into a prison by the addition of the warders house and magistrates
court along with a number of cells. Abandoned as a prison in 1972 it became
a museum in 1976 and was declared a National Monument in 1978. It is now
affiliated to the KZN Provincial Museum Service.Covering the Bulwer, Underberg
and Himeville communities it commemorates the way of life of all the erst
while inhabitants of the last frontier of Natal and has a fairly extensive
archives which is available to any would be student of local history.
- Himeville Old Residency
Built in 1898 and in constant use as the magistrates residence since construction,
it is a national monument.Corner of Arbuckle and Clayton streets, Himeville
- Himeville Fort
The Old Fort was completed in 1900 and used as a prison until 1972, when
it became a museum. Exhibits include the San and period pieces of the early
settlers of this area. It is a national monument. Arbuckle street, corner
of George Street, Himeville.
Telephone:(033)7021184
Fax:(033)7021060
- Mhlwazini Cave, Drakensberg
The cave is situated in the valley of the Mhlwazini river. It is a proclaimed
heritage site of great sensitivity. In the valley of the Mhlwazini river.Himeville
- Mpongweni Cave, Cobham
Mpongweni cave contains many interesting rock paintings apparently depicting
historic events. The fishing scene is especially interesting. Mpongweni
was declared a national monument in July 1979. Cobham State Forest, Himeville
- Himeville Nature Reserve
Himeville Nature Reserve is situated in the southern Drakensberg, 130 km
from Pietermaritzburg. The reserve stretches along the eastern boundary
of Himeville Village and was proclaimed to its present size of 104 ha in
1973. Himeville Nature Reserve offers trout fishing in two dams situated
in the reserve.
Boats are no longer available for hire but anglers may use their own small
rowing craft or flotation tubes. Power boats are not permitted. Visitors
may walk freely throughout the reserve and view Blesbuck and Black Wildebeest.
The two dams offer good opportunities for bird watching. Himeville is
only 14 km from Cobham Nature reserve which offers enjoyable walks and
hikes for the whole family.
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