OUR EXPERT

Kyra Tarr

“I have a few favourite wild spots in and around Pietermaritzburg. Queen Elizabeth Park, located at the KZN Wildlife headquarters ( 033 845 1999), is an unexpected little reserve in the north of the city. It affords you the opportunity to see zebra, impala and other smaller buck species close by. The roads are tarred and the circular driving route is easy to navigate. Walk the 3 km idube Trail and look for buck, monkeys and birdlife on foot.

“Families love to spend weekends at Midmar Nature Reserve

( 033 330 2067) near Howick. You can soak up the sun, braai under the trees and swim in the shallows. The surrounding countryside makes Midmar one of the most beautiful dams in South Africa. There’s a flat, tarred road that circles the dam – great for a family-friendly cycle.

“It’s easy to lose yourself in the mist-belt forests of Karkloof Nature Reserve (no day visitors; you have to stay at Rockwood Lodges to enter:

031 502 4043; rockwood.co.za) about 65 km north of Pietermaritzburg. Few know this, but nearby Karkloof Falls (105 m) is actually 12 m higher than Howick Falls! The Karkloof Canopy Tour ( 076 241 2888;

canopytour.co.za) borders the reserve. Experience ziplining at its finest – you’ve seen the forest from within, now take it in from above!”