KwaZulu-Natal: The Babanango Game Reserve is now home to the "Big 5"!

 The Babanango Game Reserve in the heart of Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal has announced its "Big 5" status. The 20 000 hectare reserve is now home to lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard and elephant and many more species of importance. The reintroduction of the "Big 5" commenced in 2019, with the introduction of white and black rhinos as well as buffalo. Soon after, leopards returned on their own to area and settled in the Game Reserve. Earlier this year, Babanango Game Reserve reintroduced two male lions, soon to be joined by several females. In June 2023, a small breeding herd of seven elephants were brought in from Manyoni Game Reserve. This introduction of elephants served as the final piece of the Big 5 "puzzle". Babanango Game Reserve has carefully introduced over 2 400 endemic animals. Many of these species have not roamed the undulating hills and valleys of Babanango for nearly 150 years.

KwaZulu-Natal: iSimangaliso Weltland Park implements the amended level 1 lockdown restrictions!

The management of iSimangaliso Weltland Park in South Africa's province of KwaZulu-Natal introduces several measures to meet the tighter level 1 lockdown restrictions, which became effective in the country on 14 December 2020. Between today (16 December 2020) and 03 January 2021, the following measures apply:

• The management of iSimangaliso Weltland Park strictly enforces upper limits of 250 people for outdoors activities, as per regulations, in all of its facilities.
• All overnight guests and concessionaires within iSimangaliso Weltland Park are allowed to operate within the constraints of the regulations.
• Roadblocks are conducted at various points across the iSimangaliso Weltland Park to enforce compliance.
• No alcohol is allowed within iSimangaliso Weltland Park and control points are in place.
• No vehicles are permitted to enter iSimangaliso Weltland Park if occupants are not wearing face masks and adhere to all health protocols.
• All visitors and guests to the iSimangaliso Weltland Park are subjected to temperature tests, and based on the results the management reserves the right to refuse entry.

 

South Africa: Tourism KwaZulu-Natal has released an inspirational "we will see you soon" video!

KwaZulu-Natal's provincial tourism agency, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, has released a new video to inspire potential travellers from around the world to visit the province once the coronavirus pandemic is over and travelling is possible again. The one-minute-long video showcases some of the most picturesque locations and attractions KwaZulu-Natal has to offer and reminds all travellers that the Kingdom of Zululand might deserve a top position on the bucket list once the lockdown ends. Kudos Tourism KwaZulu-Natal!

iSimangaliso Wetland Park: Temporary road closure in the uMkhuze section!

The management of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, has announced that there will be no access for tourist vehicles south of the Loop Road from 14 May 2018 due to road maintenance in the Park's uMkhuze section. The repairs are expected to last until late August 2018, weather permitting. Elsewhere in the uMkhuze section, routine maintenance is underway but it is not foreseen that this will cause any further closures. We'll keep you updated!

iSimangaliso Wetland Park: uMkhuze temporary road closures

The uMkhuze section in South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu Natal, has received over 273 mm of rain in the past 5 days and is expecting more significant rain in the coming days. Due to the unprecedented rainfall, some of the Park access and visitor roads got damaged and have therefor been temporarily closed until the damage has been assessed or repaired.

• Outside of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the access road to the eMshophi Gate has been damaged and it is not advisable for sedans or low clearance vehicles to use this road. The Department of Transport is aware of the problem and has been requested to intervene urgently;
• The Ophansi Gate access route from the R22 is also in a poor state and wis not advisable to attempt to access this by sedan. High clearance and 4×4 vehicles would still be able to access these entrances subject to road works and repairs that may result in further temporary closures;
• The road down south at the Mlambamude crossing has been closed by the South Loop turn off due to the bridge being undercut and more than half the road washed away;
• The road to iNsumo Pan (hides and picnic site) has been closed due to dangerous river crossings and flooding subject to further assessment as waters recede;
• Loop Road and the road to the Lebombo Tower area have been badly eroded. Only vehicles with high road clearance i.e. bakkies and bigger SUVs will be allowed until the road has been graded.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park: The three uMkhuze game viewing hides have been reopened!

The three uMkhuze game viewing hides in South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu Natal, have been reopened due to popular demand although some infrastructure work at the hides entrance gates and parking areas needs to continue for at least the next three weeks. This work consists of the building of three timber "eco-loos" and will result in some noise associated with such work.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park: uMkhuze section to close during the annual iSimangaliso MTB 4 Day!

The uMkhuze section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu-Natal will be closed to the public from the evening of 16 August 2017 to the morning of 18 August 2017 due to the annual iSimangaliso MTB 4 Day mountain biking event that takes place in the Park as well as in the surrounding conservation and adjacent community areas from 17 August to the 20 August 2017. The ride starts in the Park's uMkhuze section on 17 August 2017 and then proceeds via the Phinda Private Game Reserve, the False Bay section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, several private reserves and community lands to reach the Park's Western Shores on 19 August 2017 and the Park's Eastern Shores on 20 August 2017. The end point of the iSimangaliso MTB 4 Day is at the Sugarloaf campsite in the seaside resort of St Lucia.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park to introduce new gate access system!

South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu Natal, is set to introduce new gate access procedures. The Park's new system will become operational on 01 December 2016 at Bhangazi Gate, Dukukudu Gate, Nhlozi Gate, eMshophi Gate, Ophansi Gate and Sodwana Gate.
The new gate system will automate some of the current manual systems and assist with security in iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The new features include:

• the driver's licence of the driver will be scanned when entering iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• and the car licence will be scanned when entering iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• visitors will asked to sign acceptance of the terms and condition of entry to iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• car licences will also be scanned at selected points such as St Lucia beaches and Sodwana beach ramps
• Alcohol is strictly prohibited in public places in iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• vehicle searches will be conducted at check-points in iSimangaliso Wetland Park

iSimangaliso Wetland Park: New entrance fees from 01 November 2016! >>

iSimangaliso Wetland Park: New entrance fees from 01 November 2016!

South Africa's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu Natal, has increased entrance fees on 01 November 2016. The new entrance fee for adults ranges between R25.00 - R45.00 per person and for children between R15.00 - R35.00 per person, depending on the gate of entry. iSimangaliso Wetland Park only accepts cash at entry gates!

screenshot via isimangaliso.com

• Overnight Accommodation - A charge of R7.00 applies per person per night (includes Rhino Gold Cards)
• Community Conservation Levy - A levy of R5.00 per person is payable. This levy goes towards the many social and conservation programmes of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park

South Africa: Pack of African Wild Dog released onto the Zululand Rhino Reserve!

A pack of six African Wild Dogs has been released onto the Zululand Rhino Reserve (ZRR) in northern KwaZulu-Natal on 01 May 2015 by the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) as part of the National Wild Dog Metapopulation Project. The newly bonded pack includes four females and two males.

EWT's David Marneweck said: "African Wild Dogs are the most endangered carnivore in South Africa with a high degree of historical persecution resulting in with a drastic reduction in their numbers and range. Wild Dogs face a number of threats including direct persecution through hunting and car collisions, disease outbreak, indirect persecution (snaring) and habitat fragmentation. With consistently less than 450 Wild Dogs in South Africa, reintroductions of newly formed packs into areas where they formally inhabited is resulting in increasing the number of individuals, packs and their conservation status in South Africa. Our National Wild Dog Metapopulation Project works across three provinces to facilitate the coordinated management of Wild Dogs in small, isolated and fenced reserves in order to improve the status of this endangered species in South Africa. We are extremely excited to announce that Zululand Rhino Reserve will now become an integral part of the national metapopulation and we look forward to the persistence of Wild Dogs in this pristine habitat in the northern KZN region.

The Zululand Rhino Reserve (ZRR), located within the Msunduzi valley in northern Zululand  in KwaZulu-Natal, is the 10th current metapopulation Wild Dog Reserve in South Africa and is located in the very heart of the KZN Wild Dog population. It is home to over 70 mammal species and an exceptional diversity of birdlife.

Southern African backpackers - Zululand Backpackers in Eshowe (South Africa)

Zululand Backpackers in Eshowe, the cultural capital of South Africa's Zululand, is a comfortable 50 bed hostel in a forest setting and located only about 500m from town. The backpackers does not only offer its guests spacious gardens and a large swimming pool, a self-catering kitchen, laundry facilities, internet café and a bar, it is also the only backpackers in the world with its own microbrewery.

Zululand Backpackers has double and triple dorms, and a big 10 man dorm. All rooms include clean linen. Private en-suite rooms are available, and there are also camping facilities. The owners of the backpackers are running an eco-adventure company that will assist you with fulfilling their list of "101 Things to do in Eshowe".
If you are looking for a hotel in Eshowe, click here to request a qoute for the The George Hotel, a 100-year-old hotel that has recently been renovated, but has not lost its original touches. The The George Hotel is located right next door from Zululand Backpackers.

Zululand Backpackers online booking >>

The George Hotel online booking >>

Volunteer project in South Africa - 2 for 1 in Feb & March 2010

Are you looking for an adventurous trip with a purpose, or on a gap year or career break? If you want to make a difference in some of the world’s most important conservation areas - and in community projects - then volunteer trips are for you! Volunteers tend to have a sense of adventure, and come from a range of different backgrounds and from all over the world.

Endangered wildlife conservation, Zululand, South Africa
departures: 15 Feb 2010 | 1 Mar 2010 | 15 Mar 2010 | 29 Mar 2010
price: from €950 (GB £831) - €1,700 (GB £1,487) (2-4 weeks) excluding flights. Price includes accommodation at the camp, all meals and training. Longer stays can be arranged from €700 (GB £612) per 2 weeks spent after 4 weeks

Join us in February or March 2010, and bring a friend for FREE

The Endangered Species Monitoring Programme is lead by an experienced, passionate and hands-on team. We work across many reserves in Zululand (Zululand has some of the most beautiful and productive wild lands in Africa), and therefore give you a in-depth insight into holistic conservation efforts. Real Africa - Real Conservation
We are looking for people who want their contribution to be directly and effectively utilised in genuine conservation efforts. If you wish to be a part of a professional conservation team, and experience some of the most exciting conservation work in Africa, then you are the kind of volunteer we are looking for!

more info & online booking >>
more voluntour projects in Southern Africa >>
overland tours in Africa >>

Endangered Wildlife Conservation, Zululand, South Africa

The Project
The Endangered Species Monitoring Programme is lead by an experienced, passionate and hands-on team. We work across many reserves in Zululand (Zululand has some of the most beautiful and productive wild lands in Africa), and therefore give you a in-depth insight into holistic conservation efforts. Real Africa - Real Conservation
We are looking for people who want their contribution to be directly and effectively utilised in genuine conservation efforts. If you wish to be a part of a professional conservation team, and experience some of the most exciting conservation work in Africa, then you are the kind of volunteer we are looking for!

Country: South Africa
Location: South Africa wildlife reserves
Departures: 2009: 31 Aug, 14 Sep, 28 Sep, 12 Oct, 26 Oct, 9 Nov, 23 Nov, 7 Dec, 21 Dec
Price: From €950 - €1700 (2-4 weeks) excluding flights. Price includes accommodation at the camp, all meals and training. Longer stays can be arranged from €700 per 2 weeks spent after 4 weeks

Offers: Late booking: Join us in October or November and your friend pays half price

the amazing things you'll be doing
The Endangered Species Monitoring Programme:
We personally initiate, implement and manage the Endangered Species Monitoring programmes on reserves that don’t have the means to do so themselves. Our programmes are responsible for important wildlife research, working with amongst other animals, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Wild dog, Lion, Elephant, Leopard and Hyena.
As a volunteer you will be actively involved the hands-on conservation work we do including:

• Wildlife conservation Endangered species tracking, via radio telemetry equipment
• GPS mapping of sightings
• The creation and updating of identity kits
• Animal behavioural research
• Game counts

Activities that occur regularly are:

• Radio collaring animals
• Tagging of animals
• Relocation, re-introduction of game
• Bird ringing
• Alien plant control

more info about the tour & online booking >>
flights to Southern Africa >>
volunteering in Southern Africa >>