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Mkuze Game Reserve

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National Parks South Africa

Mkuze, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Situated in the northern Kwazulu Natal region, this reserve differs from others in the vicinity in that it is flat with grasslands, fossil pans, wetlands and sand dunes. Attractions include game-viewing, birdwatching and an exciting bushveld trail.

Mkuze Game Reserve is situated in northern Zululand, this 40 000 hectare reserve was proclaimed a protected area in 1912. Mkhuze Game Reserve constitutes the north western spur of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park a recently declared World Heritage Site.

A place of great beauty and high contrasts, Mkhuze is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers with more than 420 bird species on record.

The Mkhuze 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 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 animal species 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 reserves 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, pinkbacked and white 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.

Mkhuze is in a malaria area and special precautions are necessary.

Accommodation
Mantuma Camp - a small camp offering accommodation in the form of safari tents and chalets – all selfcatering.

Nhlonhlela Bush Lodge - an eight-bed lodge overlooking Nhlonhlela Pan. All units are en suite and are connected by boardwalks branching out from the communal lounge and kitchen. A cook/caretaker is in attendance, as well as a field ranger to take visitors on game walks. The lodge is served by solar powered lighting. Good torches and a gas light are recommended.

Umkhumbi Tented Bush Lodge - in the Controlled Hunting Area , is used as a normal bush lodge only from November to February. The units are four large safari tents, each containing two beds and an en-suite shower, washbasin and toilet. A cook/caretaker is in attendance, as well as a field ranger to lead visitors on game walks.

Activities
Birding, game viewing and sitting quietly in the three game viewing hides are the most popular activities in Mkhuze. Night drives, guided walks, the auto trail and swimming are also available.

The reserve has 100 kilometers of tourist roads for game viewing.

Guided night drives are undertaken weather permitting.

Guided game walks can be booked at the camp office and these take place twice daily starting at 06h00 in summer, and 15h00 in winter.

Birding in Mkhuze offers some of the best birding opportunities in South Africa and with a bird list of 420 species is excellent all year round.

Guided birding walks may be booked at the camp office, and these take place twice daily starting at 06h00 in summer, and 15h00 in winter. Checklists are available from the curio shop.

How to get there
For visitors from the south, the turn off to Mkhuze is signposted 35 kms north of Hluhluwe. From this point, the road is gravel. Approximately 15 kms further is another signposted road through the Lebombo mountains. The entrance to the reserve is 10 kms along this road which is clearly signposted.

Visitors from the north must travel to Mkuze village which is 18 kms from the entrance gate and 28 kms from Mantuma camp.

The nearest town which has a full range of services is Mkuze.

Gate Times
Summer ( October to March ) – 05h00 to 19h00
Winter (April to September ) – 06h00 to 18h00

The office is open from 08h00 to 12h30 and from 14h00 to 16h30

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