Ndumo Game Reserve Nature Reserves

Situated in the northernmost section of the stunning iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Kosi Bay Nature Reserve is a wonderful sub-tropical wilderness escape. Four interconnected lakes and an estuary link up to the ocean, offering a playground for canoeing, boat trips, snorkelling, hiking, bird watching and horse riding. The Kosi lake system is home to numerous birds and animals including hippos and crocs. Humpback whales are regularly seen from the beach on their migration to calve in Mozambique. During December and January loggerhead and leatherback turtles labour up the sandy beaches to lay their eggs. Community run trails offer a fascinating glimpse into the history and culture as well as an experience of the natural beauty of the area. The traditional fishing reed traps are definitely worth a visit. These structures have been handed down from father to son for hundreds of years. If you hook up with a local Tonga fisherman you could try and catch a few fish with their traps. Access to Kosi Bay mouth and beach is a 45-minute drive requiring a 4WD vehicle. The route provides spectacular views across the fish trap dotted lake to the ocean from the top of the high coastal dunes. NOTE: Kosi Bay is in a malaria region. If you are planning to travel to iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Kosi Bay please consult your doctor or travel clinic for advice and refer to our article on malaria.

Stretching from the Lebombo Mountains down across the Phongolopoort Dam, Phongolo Game Reserve has much to offer visitors. From a conservation perspective, the reserve contains a large number of special ecosystems and habitats with the unique Golela veld providing an important breeding habitat for rare Suni antelope. Other habitats are the species-rich Lobombo Mountain forests and the Themeda grassveld scattered with knobthorn and maroela trees. Phongolo Game Reserve is home to over 300 bird species and a range of plains game including white rhino, giraffe, blue wildebeest, kudu, impala, nyala, warthog, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck and zebra. The dam has large families of hippos, crocodiles as well as numerous fish species. One of these is the tiger fish, a highly desirable catch at fishing competitions taking place here throughout the year. Facilities offer two boat launch sites, a campsite with cold showers, flush toilets and an adjacent picnic site for day trippers. Phongolo Game Reserve lies within a malaria area and visitors are advised to take precautions. Swimming is prohibited in the dam because of crocodiles and hippos. +27 (0) 34 435 1012 Gate Entry Times: Summer 05:00 – 19:00 Winter 06:00 – 18:00.

Formerly known as the Maputo Elephant Reserve, the Maputo Special Reserve is a perfect day trip for people staying in the Maputo area. Recently the reserve joined parks in Swaziland and South Africa and now forms part of the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area. The scenic diversity of marine and inshore habitats offers amazing opportunities for watching wildlife, as well as sport fishing, diving, and canoeing. Elephants, hippos, crocodiles, monkeys, and a large variety of bird species are frequently spotted.

Renowned as a place of great beauty and high contrasts, Mkhuze Game Reserve is also known for its rich birdlife. Situated in northern Zululand, the park forms the north western point of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boasting more than 420 recorded bird species, it is a popular spot for birdwatchers. Two magnificent pans are home to families of hippo, crocodile, pink-backed and white pelicans, as well as numerous waterbirds. The Mkhuze River forms the reserve's northern and eastern borders and supports a lovely stretch of fig forest along its banks. Fish eagles can regularly be seen swooping to catch fish over the pans. Visitors have the chance of spotting black and white rhino, elephant, giraffe, leopard, buffalo, nyala, blue wildebeest, warthog, impala, kudu and smaller antelope. Look out for rare sightings of cheetah, hyena and tiny suni antelope. There is excellent bird and animal viewing opportunities from three hides. A trip to the Zulu cultural village inside the reserve offers an interesting view of the lifestyle and crafts of the KwaJobe community.