Midmar
This town is most famously known for its annual swim event, the Midmar Mile that is the world’s largest open water swimming event. It is in its 36th year and has attracted over 17000 entries over the last few years. For 2009, the race has an official application to set a new World Record for the Guinness Book of Records and the numbers grow each year and organisers are aiming at trying to achieve 20 000 swimmers. Midmar Dam and nature reserve enhance the beauty of the KwaZulu Natal area and this beautiful dam on the Umgeni River is situated in the middle of the Midlands Meander and seven kilometres from Howick.
There is a wide variety of sporting activities in and around the water as well as cycling, walking, game viewing, angling. Visit the wildlife park, which features a variety of antelope and small game species or hire bicycles, windsurfers, canoes and yachts and explore alone or join a tour or sunset cruise that can be booked by prior arrangement. Accommodation includes the Midmar camp which offers 14 two-bed chalets, 13 four-bed chalets with two bedrooms, three five-bed chalets with two bedrooms and two six-bed chalets with three bedrooms so there is enough room for any touring party, although the town bustles in swim season. Day visitors relax in their shady picnic spots along the shoreline of the dam and braai facilities add to the holiday atmosphere. Midmar Dam Nature Reserve combines a large stretch of fresh water from the uMngeni with 1000 hectares of game park that attracts visitors.
