Midmar Dam Nature Reserve with its large expanse of fresh water, extensive meandering shoreline, open grasslands, good road network, outdoors action and recreation facilities makes it an exciting family destination.
Situated near Pietermaritzburg and Howick, Midmar forms part of the Midlands Meander tourist route. Visitors can visit the game reserve section, which features a variety of antelope and small game species.
Midmar hosts a number of sports events and during weekends and peak periods bicycles, windsurfers, canoes and yachts can be hired.
Accommodation
Howick Accommodation options (only 7 km from the dam) range from hotel accommodation to guest farms. Visitors can, however, also stay at Midmar Resort.
Activities
Fishing
Excellent fishing is available. Carp, bass, scalies and bluegill are abundant and fishing can be pursued in the areas zoned for this activity.
Game Park
The game park has a variety of species; red hartebeest, black wildebeest, blesbok, reedbuck, oribi and zebra and can be viewed from vehicles, bicycles or on foot.
Entrance is via the Thurlow Gate off the R617.
Sporting
There are two all-weather tennis courts. A small swimming pool is available exclusively for rustic cabin and chalet residents.
Bathing is permitted in the bilharzia-free dam and is quite safe, provided bathers keep close in-shore, away from boating areas.
A boat shop where windsurfers, canoes and yachts can be hired, is open during weekends and peak periods.
Boat spares and fishing equipment can be purchased from the shop.
Boating
The dam is zoned for yachts, powerboats and personal water craft and in the interests of safety, visitors must abide by this zoning.
New visitors to the resort should acquire a map and boating regulations and any other information from the office, on arrival. Power boat skippers must carry their tickets when on the water.
Please note that all powered craft skippers must be in possession of a Category R certificate of competence.
Please note
- All essential supplies are available from Howick.
- Fuel is available 2 km from the main gate.
- No pets of any kind are permitted in the reserve.
- You may not deviate from the roads in the game reserve.
- Firearms and any other weapons must be declared on entry into the reserve.
- The reserve gates are closed to day visitors between sunset and sunrise. This does not apply to visitors staying overnight.
