Howick Falls, situated in the picturesque midlands of KwaZulu Natal, has set the scene for much mystery and itrigue over the years. The falls are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the province, but the place is feared by local Zulu folk, who speak of a legendary serpent, the mythical Inkanyamba. The Inkanyamba is said to live in a waterfall lake area in the northern forests of KwaZulu Natal near Pietermaritzburg, most commonly frequenting the foot of Howick Falls. The Zulu tribes of the region believe it to be a large serpent with an antelope like head. Most active throughout the summer months, it is believed that the beast's anger causes the seasonal storms. Cryptologists have suggested that they might be a form of eel, exaggerated by local myth. The Inkanyamba was also featured on the television series Animal X.

The local monster gained much fame after a local newspaper offered a reward for anyone able to produce photographic evidence of the serpent. Two photographs were taken of the beast, though neither were convincing. One photo however, did provide an insight into the perceptions of the monster. The sighting of the Inkanyamba also created widespread interest in both the local and national media.

In 1962 a Conservation Services Ranger, Mr. Buthelezi saw one of the serpents on a sand bank while out taking a walk along the Umgein River near the Midmar Dam. It slid off the bank into the water as he and a friend approached. Johannes Hlongwane was the caretaker of a caravan park near Howick Falls between the late 1960's and mid 1980's, and he claims to have seen the Inkanyamba twice, once in 1971 and again in 1981. It raised its head and neck about nine meters out of the water, displaying a crest running along its back.

Many suggest that the serpent is nothing more than a mistakenly identified giant eel. This opinion is reinforced with the facts that Inkanyamba shares many characteristics with eels, which are commonly found in rivers and dams. Possible examples of what might have really been seen inlcude the Anguilla mossambica, which is a long brown finned eel growing to a length of about five feet, or the Madagascan mottled eel Anguilla marmorata, which can grow to a length of six feet. Both display dark colours with mane-like fins covering half the length of their bodies. It is commonly thought that eels migrate short distances over land from one body of water to another, although it hasn't ever been observed.

Other sites in the area which the Inkanyamba is said to inhabit include the Midmar Dam which covers an area of about one thousand three hundred square kilometers, the Mkomazi River which is about seventy kilometers south of Howick, and a number of farm dams in the Dargle area of the Midlands. The elusive beast is said to be migratory, making it's way to other locations in the midst of territory disputes with other Inkanyambas, as well as when it mates, or if the water levels in the region drop. The serpent is thought to travel in fierce clouds bringing violent storms with forceful winds, rain and hail, and even tornadoes.

In March 1998 a severe storm wreaked absolute havoc in the Greytown, Ingwavuma and Pongola regions of KwaZulu Natal. The winds reached terrifying speeds of 84 km/h, tearing roof sheeting from houses, ripping them apart. Thousands of people were left homeless. In attempts to prevent the serpent from destroying property, many locals in the area paint their tin roofs using darker colours, believing that it won't attract the serpent's attention.