About
Wagendrift Dam and Moor Park Nature Reserve is situated just off the N3 highway near Estcourt. The reserve is roughly 980 ha in extent and includes a popular picnic and fishing spot. An Iron Age site dating back to AD 1300 is found on Makhabeni Hill overlooking Moor Park and is listed as the first known Iron-Age settlement in southern Africa. On the southern side of the dam there are large fossil beds with many fossilised trees lying exposed at ground level.
Activities
- Boating and fishing are the main activities in this resort. There is a registered boat club, the Bushman’s Boating Club. It is not necessary to belong to the club to use the dam for boating. Boat skippers are required to be in possession of a skippers licence.
- No overnight fishing is permitted. Scaly, bluegill, bass, carp, eel and the occasional trout are caught in the dam by keen freshwater fishermen.
- There is a 3 km self-guided trail along the Bushman’s River where several species of game occur. This area abounds with birdlife, including fish eagle and black eagle. The easy 3 km self-guided Furrow Trail follows the course of an old irrigation furrow, built in 1903 and provides exciting game viewing opportunities.
Useful Info
- No pets of any kind are allowed in the reserve.
- Power boat skippers must carry their tickets when on the water. All powered craft skippers must be in possession of a Category R certificate of competence.
- All boats must be registered with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. All craft are to carry life jackets for each person. Skiers must wear life jackets while skiing. A copy of the rules for boaters is available on request. It is essential to be familiar with these rules.
- Entrance gates to the reserve open and close at the following times:
Summer (1 October - 31 March) 05:00 - 19:00
Winter (1 April - 30 September) 06:00 - 18:00
