About
Ntsikeni Nature Reserve is located in southern KZN, between Underberg and Kokstad, and covers an area of 9 200ha. It has one of the largest high altitude wetlands in South Africa and has been declared a Ramsar site.
The reserve is an area of unique natural beauty with moist grassland vegetation and one of KwaZulu-Natal’s priority wetlands. The natural habitat supports a number of globally threatened and endemic species, in particular bird species.
Ntsikeni and May Lodges are administered by Ntsikeni Liaison Forum on behalf of Ntsikeni Community.
For bookings/enquiries please contact Mr S.P Mabuntane on 0828306160/0748080202 or Mr Dalu Ngcobo on 0820873784/0736620352.
Activities
Birding
- A number of other bird species depend to varying degrees on the habitat provided by the wetland and the adjoining grassland. These include the critically endangered White-winged Flufftail, and the vulnerable Short-tailed Pipit, Yellow-breasted Pipit, African Marsh Harrier, Denham’s Bustard, Striped Flufftail and African Grass Owl.
Vulture Hide
- On the mountain slopes of the nature reserve, a roosting colony of approximately 40 Cape Vultures exists and a pair of the endangered Bearded Vulture regularly nests in the nature reserve. Up to 72 Cape Vultures have been sighted in the nature reserve at one time at the Tsawule roost
Game Viewing
- Mammal species favouring the wetland habitat of the Ntsikeni Nature Reserve include the Southern Reedbuck and Cape Clawless Otter. Oribi, Mountain Reedbuck, Grey Rhebok and Grey Duiker also occur within the nature reserve, although uncontrolled hunting in the past has led to a depletion of their numbers.
Rock Art
- There are “Contact Period” San Rock art as well as some historical sites are known to be present.
Useful Info
- Gate times: 06:00am to 18:00
- Pets are not permitted in the reserve.
- No electricity, generator operational until 21:00
- A 4x4 vehicle is required. The first 10 km are in reasonable condition, (beware of stream crossings). The last 2km are in a bad condition and extremely slippery in when wet.
