Mkuze Game Reserve is a protected area in northern Zululand, South Africa, part of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park and a World Heritage Site. Visitors can see a variety of bird and animal species, stay in lodges, and participate in activities such as self-driving tours, guided walks, and night drives. The reserve has a diverse range of wildlife, including rare species such as hyenas and cheetahs. Visitors should take precautions for malaria and check for water shortages.
Mkuze Game Reserve is a protected area covering 99,000 acres (40,000 hectares) in northern Zululand, South Africa. Sometimes spelled Mkhuze Game Reserve, it is part of the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park and has been designated a World Heritage Site. Visitors to Mkuze Game Reserve can see a wide variety of bird and animal species as well as panoramic views of different habitats. There are several lodges within the reserve for tourists to stay and it is open to the public all year round. The summer months, October to March, are considered the rainy season in this nature reserve and the dense vegetation can sometimes make it difficult to see the animals. The winter months, April to September, are considered the dry season, when animal viewing opportunities are at their best.
The northern and eastern borders of the reserve are defined by the Mkuze River. The fig tree forests bordering this stream are home to a large number of birds. More than 420 bird species can be seen in Mkuze Game Reserve and bird watching is often a favorite activity of tourists. In the reserve there are numerous pools of water and hiding places have been set up in three of them. Tourists can enter hiding places and watch the game come to drink from the troughs. The African wildlife that can be seen includes larger animals such as elephants, giraffes and rhinos. Smaller animals such as antelope, blue wildebeest and warthog are often sighted. There are also some rare species in the reserve, including hyenas and cheetahs.
There are numerous activities that visitors can take part in at Mkuze Game Reserve. More than 62 miles (100 km) of roads have been shaped through the reserve for self-driving tours. Guided night drives are available, and guided hunting and birding walks are organized daily by the main reserve office. There are also swimming pools in some lodges where visitors can cool off.
Full service lodges are available for tourists staying in Mkuze Game Reserve. There’s a campsite that also offers safari lodges and tents for a more rustic feel. Visitors must provide and cook their own food at the campsite and electricity is not always available. There is sometimes a water shortage in the preserve and visitors should call ahead to determine if they need to carry their own drinking water. The reserve is a malarial area, so visitors must take precautions to avoid contracting the disease there.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
