Midlands Meander Road Trip
The Midlands is made for stopping. Waterfalls and history sit between a brewery, craft shops, regional food and old country hotels along the R103. There is no prize for driving it quickly.
Highlights include:
- Watch Howick Falls drop 95 metres into the pool below
- Visit the place where Nelson Mandela was arrested in 1962 and see the steel portrait sculpture
- Browse craft shops, cafés and regional food at Piggly Wiggly Country Village
- Stop at Nottingham Road Brewery in the Midlands Meander village
- See the restored farm buildings at Fordoun Hotel & Spa
- Stock up on biltong, bakes and local crafts at Windmills Resort & Padstal near Mooi River
South Africa road trip from Pietermaritzburg to Mooi River (66 km, about 1 hour driving). Plan this trip with Sideroads Africa.
Stops along the way
- Howick Falls: Spectacular 95m waterfall crashing into a churning pool.
- Nelson Mandela Capture Site: Features a world-famous steel sculpture marking the spot where Mandela was arrested by police in 1962.
- Piggly Wiggly Country Village: Popular Midlands Meander family hub with artisan cafes, craft shops, candle making, and regional foods.
- Nottingham Road Brewery: South Africa's oldest independent microbrewery, located in a picturesque Midlands Meander village.
- Fordoun Hotel & Spa: Restored 1860s farm farmstead converted into a luxury spa hotel
- Windmills Resort & Padstal: Mooi River roadside stop offering local crafts, biltong, and bakes