Mkhombo Nature Reserve

About Mkhombo Nature Reserve

There are few things as dreamy and memorable as the grasslands and rolling hills that rise to meet the high blue of an African sky. And this is the setting in which the scenic Mkhombo Nature Reserve is nestled, in the heart of Mpumalanga.

Did you know? The reserve has an inviting picnic and barbecue (locally known as a braai) site. This provides the ideal spot to enjoy good food and hearty laughs with your friends and family.

This reserve is an impressive 11 000 hectares in area, sprawled over the landscapes and glittered by the African sun. It is only a few hours from Pretoria and Johannesburg, but has an otherworldly beauty that is really quite special.

One of its main natural features is the Mkhombo Dam, also known as the Renosterkop Dam. This is ideal for fishing because it is home to carp, barbel and bass. Sitting on its banks and feeling the warmth of the sun on your bank as you anticipate the promise of a nibble is a perfect way to experience the tranquil splendour of Africa.

The birdlife here is also fantastic. Keen birders know this destination well and love to bring their binoculars along and spot the reed cormorant, African yellow-billed hornbill, African grey hornbill, white-breasted cormorant, little swift, hamerkop, red-winged starling, pectoral sandpiper, grey plover, barred wren-warbler, yellow wagtail, and other exciting species.

Interestingly, this nature reserve is home to an easterly Kalahari thornveld, which is rugged and raw. But, then, the banks of the dam are fertile and beautiful, with plenty of life. This juxtaposition makes the fauna and flora of the Mkhombo Nature Reserve particularly intriguing. It is no wonder, then, that this is a protected area.

Mpumalanga is a safari hotspot for visitors from around the world that want to experience incredible wildlife. Here, parks and reserves showcase the predator and prey species that give Africa its wildest status. These include elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffaloes, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, and loads of antelope species.