Shongweni Nature Reserve

About Shongweni Nature Reserve

The Shongweni dam and nature reserve is classically beautiful. Get there early enough – the reserve lies only forty minutes' from Durban – add a little early morning mist to the equation, and the side of the dam, mountains in the background, simply validate the reason that this reserve is a national heritage site.

Did you know? There are three picnic sites in total, and the dam offers bass and carp, barbel and tilapia.

Shongweni Nature Reserve is rated one of the top bird sanctuaries, with over 250 recorded species of bird found here, and there is plenty of reason to visit.

Shongweni reserve is roughly 1700 hectares, including the dam, surrounding cliffs and several other habitats that include valley bushveld and grassland. As a result it is considered one of the better birding spots in and around Durban.

On any given morning you can hope to see at least 50 to 100 of the recorded species, and it isn't unusual to sight Verreaux's eagle, the African crowned eagle, black stork, southern tchagra, the grey sunbird or even the African finfoot or martial eagle.

As well as the birds, there are rhino, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, warthog and kudu. The reserve is divided into a wilderness and recreational area. The latter has walking trails, horse trails, picnic and camping sites, and access to a list of activities that include rock climbing, fishing and canoeing (thankfully, only non-motorised water sports are allowed on the dam).

You can enter the wilderness area on night and day game drives, or if you stay in the private bush camp. Birds you can see from various spots in the reserve – around the dam, from the picnic site, below the dam wall, and on the contour path above the dam.