Wildlife Parks
Mkhuze
Mkhuze is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers , with more than 420 bird species on record.
A place of great beauty and high contrasts, Mkhuze 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.
Two beautiful pans, Nhlonhlela and Nsumo, lie in the north and east respectively, home to communities of hippo, crocodile, pink backed and white pelicans, as well as a diversity of ducks and geese which gather in spring.
Situated in northern Zululand, this 40 000 hectare reserve constitutes the north western spur of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park a recently declared World Heritage Site.
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. Other animals to be found in the reserve include black and white rhinoceros, elephant, giraffe, leopard, nyala, blue wildebeest, warthog, eland, impala, kudu and other smaller antelope.
Rare species occurring are cheetah, hyena and suni.
Visitors enjoy excellent animal and bird sightings from the three hides in the reserve.
A Zulu cultural village in the reserve offers a glimpse of the traditional lifestyle and crafts of the KwaJobe community.
Accommodation
Nhlonhlela Bush Lodge
Overlooking the Hlonhlela pan with its hazy green border of fever trees, Nhlonhlela Bush Lodge is a bird-watchers paradise.
- Bush Lodge - 8 bed
- Units have en-suite shower and toilet
- Connected to the central lounge / dining area and fully equipped kitchen by wooden boardwalks.
- A sun deck
- Visitors to this private and tranquil piece of the African bush can enjoy the area reserved for their exclusive use, go walking, or they can visit one of the three excellent hides to watch the constant procession of wild animals coming down to the water holes for their daily drink.
- Self Catering
Cottages - 2 bed & 4 bed
- Private bathroom facilities
- Kitchen
Rest huts - 3 bed
- Served by a central kitchen and communal ablutions
Tented Safari Camp
Tented units - 2 bed & 4 bed
- En-suite ablution facilities (including hot and cold showers)
- Open plan kitchen with refrigeration and electricity available
Facilities
- Swimming pool (an essential comfort during the hottest months of summer)
- Small restaurant with limited seating and take-away and a curio shop
- The shop combines with the camp office, stocking curios, clothing, basic food supplies and liquid refreshments
- Birding, game viewing in the three game viewing hides
- Night drives, guided walks, the auto trail, camping, caravanning and swimming are also available
- No facilities for people with disabilities
Extra Information
- Special Precautions
- Mkhuze is a low risk malaria area so suitable precautions must be taken.
- The nearest town which has a full range of services is Mkuze - 27 kms away
- Pets are not permitted into the reserve
- Bush camps and lodges only cater for one party at a time so for the period of your stay it becomes your home in the African bush.
Gate Times
| Gate Times | Summer (Oct-Mar) |
Winter (Apr-Sep ) |
| Gates Open | 05:00 | 06:00 |
| Gates Close | 19:00 | 18:00 |
Office Hours
The office is open from 08h00 to 12h30 and from 14h00 to 16h30
Check in / out
Check Out Time: 10h00
Check In Time: 14h00
