Amatikulu Nature Reserve

Amatikulu Nature Reserve is in Zululand district of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Understand

The Amatikulu reserve protects the Amatikulu and Nyoni River estuaries along the Indian Ocean. Visitors can cruise, fish, swim and walk the stretches of river and beach.

Flora and fauna

You can find large number of giraffe, zebra, reedbuck, waterbuck and other small antelope while touring round the reserve.

Get in

About 100 km (62 mi), or a 1-hr trip from Durban.

Fees and permits

The entrance fees for day visitors range R10-R20 per adult and R5 per child. The gates are open from 6AM to 6PM.

Get around

You can hire a canoe from the local community guides to cruise the Amatigulu River Mouth and visit the beach or you can take one of many day hiking routes in the reserve.

Do

• Hiking. (updated Jan 2023)
• Game drives. (updated Jan 2023)
• 4×4 trails. (updated Jan 2023)
• Fishing. (updated Jan 2023)

Sleep

Lodging

• 1 Tugela Mouth Guest House, 24 Tugela Mouth (less than 2 km away from the reserve). R2,500 per night. (updated Jan 2023)

Camping

• 2 Amatikulu Tented Camp, Amatikulu. Check-in: 10AM, check-out: 2PM. offers self catering accommodation. (updated Jan 2023)

Stay safe

You need to get marine fishing permits before fishing on the estuary. Swimming is at your own risk, due to crocodiles living in this area.