Mkhuze KZN Parks
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.
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