Nature Reserves
in
Mkhuze Game Reserve 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.
Things to do near
Mkhuze Game Reserve
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Nature Reserves
in
Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (36.3 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) False Bay Park is situated along the western shore of False Bay, Lake St Lucia. It lies within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning an incredible 280 km stretch of coastline.
Animal Parks
in
Hluhluwe (49.1 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) Check out the coolest of Africa's cats Just outside Hluhluwe is the only wild cat rehabilitation facility in Zululand, situated on Emdoneni Lodge and Game Farm, a private game reserve with sand forest vegetation. Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre offers twice-daily educational tours, with informative talks by an experienced guide and feeding during the afternoon. Orphaned or injured wild cheetah, serval, African wildcats and lynx are rehabilitated for release back into their natural habitat where possible.Funding for the project comes from tour fees or an ‘adoption’ programme which allows visitors to contribute to the centre. These funds go directly to veterinary care, feeding, camp and fence maintenance, as well as workers’ salaries. By implementing a system based on donations, it is hoped to improve each cat’s stay at the centre.The aim of the project is to keep as few cats as possible in captivity. Once their numbers increase, suitable animals are released back into the wild.
Beaches
in
Sodwana Bay (50.1 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) Sodwana Bay offers an incredibly long stretch of pristine beach to explore and walk. During December and January, thousands of Gautengers come here for their summer holiday, so keep this in mind if you’re seeking a quiet break.
Scuba diving is very popular, and dive boats launch daily to the outlying coral reefs. There's great horse riding on the beach and in the reserve.
Bird watchers and hikers have the option of a 5 km walking trail through the coastal forests and sand dunes. Summer nights see Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles coming in to nest on this sandy beach.
Nature Reserves
in
Phongolo Game Reserve (54.2 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) 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.
Nature Reserves
in
Hluhluwe (55.9 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) Established in 1895, wildlife viewing has always been the prime attraction at Hluhluwe, close range sightings made all the more exciting with viewing hides conveniently overlooking waterholes.
Today the reserve is part of the greater Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park covering 96 000 hectares and containing an immense diversity of animals, birds and plant life.
Home once more to the Big Five, Hluhluwe Game Reserve is also the headquarters of Operation Rhino and is internationally renowned for its white rhino conservation.
Hluhluwe makes up the northern section of the park, characterised by undulating hills of savannah vegetation and woodlands. Along with game-viewing drives, there are two self-guided drive routes which give insight into the management and natural history of the park. Highly recommended are the early morning and late afternoon guided walks.
Beaches
in
Mabibi (64.2 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) One of the last pristine and undeveloped wilderness beaches left on the African coastline, Mabibi Beach is a sub-tropical paradise and perfect playground. This magical sandy Maputaland beach is hidden in a sheltered bay surrounded by coastal forest. The crystal clear, warm water offers tranquil swimming, awesome snorkelling on coral reefs and exclusive offshore scuba diving. Situated in the heart of iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly Greater St Lucia Wetland Park), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Mabibi is just 25 km north of Sodwana Bay in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Hiking Trail
in
Hluhluwe (67.9 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) If you like wild more than mild wilderness hiking, spend three or four nights backpacking and sleeping under the stars in Big Five territory. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi’s Primitive Trail provides equipment and food but without tents or permanent campsites. Their strict ‘no trace’ ethic means bathing is done in the river. Although walking distances are not tough, this is not for slackers and you will carry your own food and gear. Primitive Trails are open from March to November.
Duration: 3 – 4 days
Hiking Trail
in
St Lucia (80.3 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) Start at the Iphiva camp just north of St Lucia village. The three-hour Iphiva Trail leads through open grassland and floodplains into dense coastal dune forest, a hotspot for forest birds. Small antelope, zebra and wildebeest are frequently sighted.
Keep your eyes open for crocodiles in the pans and hippos out of the water. Trail maps and guide books are available from the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife office in St Lucia.
Animal Parks
in
St Lucia (80.4 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) Visiting the iSimangaliso Wetland Park with kids? March them straight to the St Lucia Crocodile Centre to see some really big crocs and informative displays. Time your visit to be there during the feeding demonstrations on Saturday at 15:00 or Wednesday at 18:30.
Not only are there various African and exotic crocs, you’ll be able to see American alligators, tortoises and an amazing collection of snakes. Stretch your legs in the cycad garden and finish off with a cold beer and a light meal at the coffee shop.
Open daily except Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Popular Attractions
in
St Lucia (80.6 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) Check out winged beauties while supporting the local community at the Isiphaphalazi Butterfly Dome. Here you will see butterflies indigenous to the local Dukuduku coastal forest. Walk the interesting Rasta Trail or Community Trail and enjoy freshly baked treats at the tea garden afterwards.
Butterfly attracting plants are available for purchase from the indigenous nursery. Look out for the signs to Isiphaphalazi and the Manukelana organic nursery just outside Khula Village on the way to St Lucia.
Popular Attractions
in
St Lucia (80.9 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) Step into the heart of a working Zulu community where tradition meets contemporary Zulu society just outside St Lucia. Meet the Sangoma (traditional healer) and experience the timeless traditions of the Khula Village. On this cultural village tour you will be entertained with singing performances and daily life re-enactments.
Hiking Trail
in
St Lucia (80.9 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) Explore the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on an adventurous walking safari over lake, forest and dunes. Feel the thrill of sighting hippo, buffalo or other wildlife while on foot. All walks are led by experienced professional guides and depart early in the morning or late afternoon.
Popular Attractions
in
St Lucia (81.1 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) If you fancy an adventure that is more wild than mild, kit up and paddle on the St Lucia estuary with a guide. The two-and-a-half-hour cruise will get you floating along with the hippos and crocodiles while fish eagles fly overhead.
Popular Attractions
in
St Lucia (81.7 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) Bhangazi Horse Safaris offers an amazing experience in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Feel the sheer thrill of riding along untouched beaches and viewing wildlife.
Popular Attractions
in
St Lucia (81.7 km from Mkhuze Game Reserve) Take a two-hour leisurely cruise on the St Lucia Cruise Estuary. Spot hippo, crocodile, fish eagles, kingfishers and herons galore. Or just relax and enjoy the ride.