Himeville

Himeville Southern Drakensberg KwaZulu Natal South Africa

The Himeville village was named after Sir Alfred Hime, a road engineer elected Prime Minister of Natal in 1889.

The stone buildings which are now the Himeville Museum were built in 1900 as the last of Natals loop-holed forts before housing prisoners until 1972. An open-air exhibition of settler and agricultural history is surrounded by many display rooms housing military, traditional African and even trout-fishing memorabilia. The museum is also home to a valued collection of San (bushman) artefacts.

There are three golf courses in the Himeville / Underberg district and numerous rivers for swimming, rafting, canoeing and tubing. In summer months, Himeville makes the perfect base for canoeists who plan to paddle the rivers in the area from the Umkomaas to the Umzimkulu.

Himeville is perfect for horse riding and there are numerous horse trails in the area. Polo is a well established sport here and in "polo season" (winter) the local polo fields, located in the nearby town of Underberg, offer a day of fun and excitement for the whole family.

The Southern Drakensberg region is rainbow and brown trout country and there are more fly-fishing opportunities here than anywhere else in the South Africa. The Underberg-Himeville Trout Fishing Club has rights to more than 160km of river plus 60 dams with a surface area exceeding 400 hectares. There are also a number of private dams in and around the Underberg / Himeville District for the fly fishing enthusiast.

Visitors to Himeville can arrange with local tour operators for day trips up Sani Pass and into the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Departures are from the Himeville Arms Hotel. If you have access to a 4x4 vehicle, you may choose to make the trip into Lesotho on your own. A valid passport is compulsory.

The town of Himeville was named after Sir Alfred Hime, the road engineer who became Prime Minister of Natal in 1889. With Hodgsen’s peak as backdrop, Himeville is the ideal base from which to explore the numerous attractions of the Southern Drakensberg. Snowfall occurs during some of the months.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there - Underberg 6 km, Kokstad 107 km

Altitude – 1600 m above sea level

Average Rainfall – approximately 1600 m above sea level

Average Rainfall – approximately 1008 mm during summer

Banks – Fnb (ATM), Standard

HISTORICAL VIEW

Himeville Museum (The Old Fort)

The old fort was completed in 1900 and was the last of it’s type to be built. Used as a prison till 1972, when it became a museum, through the efforts of the local populations. Exhibits include Zulu craft, San (Bushmen) artifacts, and period pieces of the early pioneer years. Wagons, carts and agricultural implements provide an insight into the lifestyle of the settlers.

NATURE

Himeville Nature Reserve & Caravan Park

Has two lakes amply stocked with trout, as well as campsites, rowing boats for hire, braai (Barbeque) facilities, and issues angling licenses for trout fisherman. Offers good walking, game and birdwatching.

Kenmo Lake

A 25 ha park set around the shores of a dam. Situated on the farm Hazeldene, 5 km from Himeville on the Loteni road. Best times to visit are in April / May when the many species of trees and shrubs show off their splendid autumn colours. Trees are labeled for easy identification, and most are available from Hazeldene Farm Nurseries.

Swamp Nature Reserve

Close by Himeville Nature Reserve, attracts a variety of waterfowl, including the rare Wattled Crane

ATTRACTIONS

Aldous Dam - Picnic spot with bass fishing. Situated to the west of Himeville

ACTIVITIES

Outdoors - Canoeing, cycling, hiking, horse riding, paragliding

Accommodation in and around Himeville