Mkuze Game Reserve

Mkuze Game Reserve is in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa.

Understand

History

Mkuze Game Reserve was proclaimed in 1912.

Landscape

Mostly dry and flat landscape that are hill of sand piled up by the wind. You will also see sand forest, swamps, acacia savannah that leads to the Lebombo mountains.

Flora and fauna

Mkuze protects diversity of habitats from eastern slopes of the Lebombo Mountains to stretches of acacia savannah.

Lion, elephant, leopard, rhinos(black and white), buffalo are termed the Big 5. Cheetah, 420 species of birds have been recorded.

Get in

By plane

• 1 King Shaka International Airport (DUR ^IATA) (35 km (22 mi) north of Durban, between Umhlanga and Ballito). In Durban (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Richards Bay Airport (RCB ^IATA). Located in Richards Bay. (updated Jan 2023)

By car

From Durban, follow the N2 north, turning to the Mkuze Game Reserve is signposted 35km north of Hluhluwe. Turn right of the signposted road after 15km over the Lebombo Mountains (be careful because of the potholes and watch out for the cattle and goats on this road). 10km from your turning is the entrance. If you are coming from the north, pass the road via Mkuze village, turn right on the gravel road which is 18km from the entrance gate and 28km from Mantuma Camp.

Fees and permits

The gate to the reserve is open from 5AM to 7PM in summer, 6AM to 6PM in Winter.

Do

• Game drives. The best time to enjoy game drives is early morning and late afternoon. (updated Jan 2023)
• Fig Forest Guided Walking Trail. The four hides in the reserve makes it ideal to observe the different species of bird, the Fig Forest is also a venue for bird watchers(many birds are seen as a result of fruits this tree produces). You can decide to do a variety of 2 hour walks with a field ranger. (updated Jan 2023)

Sleep

Lodging

• 1 Mkuze Falls Game Lodge, ☏ +27344141018, admin@mkuzefalls.com. (updated Jan 2023)

Camping

Self-catering tented camp, a 6-bed cottage, huts are the available accommodation within the reserve. There are also availability of day and night safaris.

• Mantuma camp. Approximately 4hrs drive from Durban. Availability of both shop and filling station in the camp. (updated Jan 2023)
• Tented Safari camp. Ideal for occasion travelers, couples. (updated Jan 2023)

Stay safe

• Take precautions against malaria,make sure to come along with insect repellent. it is also advisable you come with a torch, hat, first aid kits, binoculars.

• It is recommended you bring your own drinking water because the water in the reserve is heavily chlorinated, you can also decide to buy a bottled water from the shop at Mantuma.

Go next

• Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
• iSimangaliso Wetland Park