Mkuze Game Reserve, South Africa

KwaZulu Natal Game Reserves

Mkuze Game Reserve, KwaZulu Natal

Situated in northern Zululand, this 40 000 hectare reserve was proclaimed a protected area in 1912. Mkuze Game Reserve constitutes the north western spur of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park a World Heritage Site. A place of great beauty and high contrasts, Mkuze is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers with more than 420 bird species on record. The Mkuze River curves along the reserve's northern and eastern borders with a fine stretch of fig forest along its banks. Fish Eagles swoop over the pans, snatching prey spotted from their perches in the fever trees.

The Mkuze Game Reserve has an astonishing diversity of natural habitats, from the eastern slopes of the Lebombo mountains along its eastern boundary, to broad stretches of acacia savannah, swamps and a variety of woodlands and riverine forest. A rare type of sand forest also occurs in the reserve. This diversity of habitats means a wide variety of wildlife including black and white rhinoceros, elephant, giraffe, nyala, blue wildebeest, warthog, eland, hippo, impala, kudu and other smaller antelope. Rare species occurring in the reserve are cheetah, hyaena, suni and leopard.

Three game viewing hides have been constructed next to the Kubube, Kamasinga, Kwamalibala pans. Visitors park their cars and enter the hides on foot. Depending on the surface water in the reserve, but normally during the drier winter months,large concentrations of game may be seen at the waterholes. Visitors are therefore offered excellent views of most of the Mkuze reserve’s larger mammals. These hides offer unique opportunities to photographers and many famous wildlife pictures have been taken there.

Two beautiful pans, Nhlonhlela and Nsumo, lie in the north and east respectively, home to communities of hippo, crocodile, pelicans, as well as a diversity of ducks and geese which gather in spring. A Zulu cultural village in the reserve offers a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle and crafts of the KwaJobe community.

Mkuze Game Reserve

Game Lodges in / near to Mkuze Game Reserve

Bayete Zulu Game Lodge

Being one of the most densely stocked reserves in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, a drive with one of our knowledgeable field drivers is guaranteed to be an adventure. Come watch our hippos wallow, while ...

Mkuze Falls Game Lodge

The Mkuze Falls Big Five Private Game Reserve is beautifully situated in the heart of historic Zululand. Mkuze Falls Lodge consists of nine thatched chalets and a central lodge complex that are all built on ...

Mkuze Game Reserve

Accommodation nearby

For accommodation outside of the reserve, see these towns which border the reserve:
• Hluhluwe Accommodation
• Pongola Accommodation
• Mkuze Accommodation

Or to see all towns bordering the reserve at once, visit Zululand Accommodation.

Did you know?
Mkuze Game Reserve is in a high risk malaria area and it is advisable to take malaria phrophylaxis. Please consult your Doctor or Pharmacist.

game and nature reserves in kwazulu natal

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