From bush to beach: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife launches new adventure route in KwaZulu-Natal!

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the provincial agency mandated to carry out biodiversity conservation and associated activities in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, has launched the new "Beach2Bush" adventure route. It connects the vibrant Indian Ocean coastline of St Lucia-iSimangaliso Wetland Park with the untamed wilderness of Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. This exciting route offers a unique travel experience from coast to bush, highlighting the natural beauty and diverse ecosystems of KwaZulu-Natal.
The "Beach2Bush" adventure route begins in the wildlife-rich bushveld of Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, where travellers can immerse themselves in the region’s iconic Big Five safari experience. From there, the route moves towards the pristine beaches of St Lucia at iSimangaliso Wetland Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of South Africa’s most biodiverse regions. This stunning park is home to over 6,500 plant and animal species, including nesting leatherback turtles, hippos, and over 500 bird species.

Along the "Beach2Bush" route, visitors can explore several must-see Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife sites, including:

• Hilltop Lodge: Offering panoramic bush views and a variety of accommodation options, including self-catering, non-self-catering, and universal access chalets. Guests can also enjoy the restaurant, bar, and lookout point.
• Game Capture Museum: Delve into the origins of wildlife management in Africa and learn about conservation efforts.
• Guided and Self-Drive Tours: Navigate the route at your own pace, whether solo or with experienced guides.
• Emaphumulo Picnic Site: Discover a historical site linked to King Shaka Zulu.
• Emagangeni View Point: A stunning spot to enjoy sundowners with sweeping bush views.
• Esiweni Samakhosikazi: A picturesque open-air picnic and brunch site.
• St Lucia Estuary Boat Cruise: Cruise through the estuary to spot crocodiles and hippos and visit the nearby crocodile centre.

Accommodation options range from self-catering chalets to family lodges like Mthwazi, Gqoyeni, Hlathikhulu, and Masinda, offering various levels of service, including private cooks and guided drives.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is also investing in facility upgrades to enhance the visitor experience. Recent improvements at Hilltop Lodge include chalet refurbishments, restaurant deck upgrades, and pathway lighting. Upgrades at Mthwazi Lodge are also planned to provide an even more comfortable stay for guests.
Experience the ultimate KwaZulu-Natal adventure – from the wild bush to the ocean – on the new "Beach2Bush" route. For bookings and more information, contact Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal has got a new Nature Reserve!

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the provincial agency mandated to carry out biodiversity conservation and associated activities in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, has announced a major milestone in its efforts to protect endangered wildlife. The formal declaration of the iNkonjane Nature Reserve by MEC Rev. Musa Zondi brings renewed hope for some of the country's most threatened species, particularly the critically endangered Blue Swallow.
Located adjacent to the iMpendle Nature Reserve, which currently has 4 (13%) of the country’s estimated 30 remaining breeding pairs of Blue Swallows, the iNkonjane Nature Reserve secures a vital foraging habitat for this small but critically important population of swallows.
The new reserve is also a sanctuary for the critically endangered Pennington’s protea butterfly, a species found only in the greater Mkhomazi River valley. This butterfly relies exclusively on the common sugarbush protea to complete its life cycle.
The iNkonjane Nature Reserve also conserves valuable portions of Southern KwaZulu-Natal Moist Grassland and patches of Eastern Mistbelt Forest, both under mounting pressure from afforestation, agriculture, and development. These ecosystems support several other threatened species, including the endangered oribi antelope, endangered mountain reedbuck, and near threatened grey rhebok.

Managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the 181.7-hectare iNkonjane Nature Reserve and the neighboring iMpendle Nature Reserve are located in the KwaZulu-Midlands. The two Nature Reserves will operate as a single, unfenced conservation area. This approach allows for the free movement of wildlife and more comprehensive ecosystem management, contributing to greater ecological resilience in the face of climate change and habitat loss.
While iNkonjane Nature Reserve is not yet open to the public, visitors are encouraged to explore the nearby iMpendle Nature Reserve. Managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the iMpendle Nature Reserve offers unique birdwatching opportunities and scenic nature trails that showcase the region’s rich biodiversity.

KwaZulu-Natal: Free entry to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reserves on Fridays during September 2024!

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the provincial agency mandated to carry out biodiversity conservation and associated activities in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, has launched the annual "Mahhala Fridays" initiative. Every Friday during September 2024 ("Tourism Month"), the first 200 South Africans visiting any Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife park will get in for free on a "first come, first served" basis. iSimangaliso Wetland Park is exlcuded from the "Mahhala Fridays" initiative. To validate free access, a South African ID must be produced at the gate upon arrival.

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Giant's Castle Nature Reserve: Main Caves Bushmen Museum temporarily closed! [update]

update (04 October 2024): We got information from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife that the Main Caves Bushmen Museum in the Giant's Castle Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal remain closed at this time. However, discussions with experts are ongoing to expedite the process which may allow for a partial re-opening soon. We'll keep you posted!

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal, has informed the public that the world-renowned Main Caves Bushmen Museum in the Giant's Castle Nature Reserve is temporarily closed and guided tours are suspended until further notice. This is due to the recent fires that have affected the Nature Reserve.

Important Update!

Main Cave/Bushmen Art Museum Temporary Closure pic.twitter.com/4BO44leenz

— EZEMVELO KZNWildlife (@EZEMVELOKZNWild) August 26, 2024

The Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve is situated in the central part of the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site, a transnational property composed of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park in South Africa and the Sehlathebe National Park in Lesotho.
The Main Caves Bushmen Museum is an easy half hour's walk from the Giant's Castle camp. Main Caves is one of South Africa's premier rock art site that is open to the public. The site, which features some 500 rock paintings, some of which are 800 years old, has been turned into an outdoor museum showing the San's (Bushman’s) way of life.

KwaZulu-Natal: Krantzkloof Nature Reserve has been officially reopened!

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the governmental organisation responsible for maintaining more than 120 wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, has announced that the Krantzkloof Nature Reserve has been officially reopened on 11 December 2023. However, the Nature Reserve is already facing certain challenges, including temporary staff shortages. This may impact the usual operations of Krantzkloof Nature Reserve and some trails may be temporarily limited or closed.

• Only Kloof Falls Road entrance is currently open - please use this entrance to access Krantzkloof Nature Reserve. Entry via alternative access points (eg Acutts Drive) is not permitted and could result in prosecution.
• Due to ongoing staff challenges, the Nkutu Entrance and Picnic Site in Valley Drive are currently closed, but are expected to reopen in the new year.
• Entry into Krantzkloof Nature Reserve is only from 06:00 to 13:00 daily and is subject to space availability. All visitors are required to leave by 18:00. This ensures everyone has ample time to enjoy the beauty of the reserve.
• Entrance Fee is R60 for adults (12 years and older) & R30 for children (under 12 years). For your safety and convenience, we encourage visitors to use debit/credit cards for entrance fee payments. Ezemvelo Rhino Card is also accepted, but South African National Parks (SANParks) Wild Card is not accepted.

Krantzkloof Nature Reserve is located 4km from the centre of the Kloof village which is about 20 minutes drive from Durban.

KwaZulu-Natal: Free entry to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reserves on Fridays during September 2023!

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the governmental organisation responsible for maintaining more than 120 wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province, has launched the annual "Mahhala Fridays" initiative. Every Friday during September 2023, the first 200 South Africans visiting any Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife park will get in for free on a "first come, first served" basis. iSimangaliso Wetland Park is exlcuded from the "Mahhala Fridays" initiative. To validate free access, a South African ID must be produced at the gate upon arrival.

KwaZulu-Natal: Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park roads are flooded!

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal, has informed the public that the Black iMfolozi Bridge, Hluhluwe Bridge and the Amanzamnyama stream in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park are flooded. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife therefore advises travellers intending to visit the Park to use the following alternative roads:

• Travellers inteding to stay at Hilltop Resort are advised to use the Memorial Gate. They must take the Maphumulo gravel road on the left before reaching Amanzamnyama stream (flooded) and then turn into Sitezi Road, which will take them back to tarred roads.
• Both Mpila Resort and Hiltop Resort are not accessible through the Nyalazi Gate. Travellers intending to stay at Mpila Resort are advised to use the Cengeni Gate to enter Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, while travellers heading for Hiltop Resort are advised to use the Memorial Gate
• Travellers must drive via Hlabisa-Nongoma-Ulundi to access the Cengeni Gate from the Nyalazi Gate.

KwaZulu-Natal: Free entry to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reserves on Fridays during September 2022!

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal, has launched the annual "Mahhala Fridays" initiative. Every Friday during September 2022 (Heritage and Tourism Month), the first 200 South Africans to enter Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife's reserves have free access ("first come, first served" basis). iSimangaliso Wetland Park is exlcuded from the "Mahhala Fridays" initiative. To validate free access, a South African ID must be produced at the gate upon arrival.