Mkuze Game Reserve lies east of the Lebombo (Ubombo) Mountain range and was proclaimed in 1912. It hosts a larger variety of animal species than most other reserves similar in size. The reserve, 30 500 ha in size, was named after the Mkhuze River that was named after the lavender trees that grow along the banks of the river. The river is known for its large crocodile population. With the mountain on the one side, the riverine forest on the other and the tall trees of the savannah in between, Mkuze Game Reserve is a real gem in the lake region of Kwazulu Natal.
It is a place with great beauty and large contrasts such as flat areas with grasslands, as well as fossil pans, wetlands and sand dunes. Mkuze Game Reserve's vegetation varies from dense thicket to sand forest to savannah but its massive sycamore fig forest trees are probably the most impressive feature.
Different types of accommodation are offered in the Mkuze Game Reserve, such as hutted camps as well as caravan and camping facilities. At Mantuba Camp safari tents and chalets provide accommodation. Umkhumbi is a tented bush lodge and Nhlonhlela Bush Lodge provides more luxurious accommodation next to the Nhlonhlela Pan. Day walks as well as longer Bushveld trails are available for visitors. A Zulu cultural village offers a glimpse of traditional lifestyle and crafts. There are 78 species of mammals and 430 bird species have been recorded in the area. The Mkuze Game Reserve has a large herd of impala and other mammals include white and black rhinoceros, giraffe, nyala, blue wildebeest, kudu and warthog. Cheetah, hyena and leopard can be spotted by lucky visitors.
Game-viewing and bird watching can be done from hides at pans such as Nsumo, Kwamalibala and Kamasinga. The Nsumo pan, also called a king-size water bird-bath, is well known for its water fowl, such as wild geese, pelicans and ducks.
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