The Battlefields - Legends of the Zulu Kingdom

Nature Reserves

New Formosa Nature Reserve:
Municipal land adjoining the town's southern boundary, within easy walking distance of the town centre. Follow the old main road south and take the new Formosa turn-off to the left, where a conservancy sign is prominently displayed. Continue beyond the hospital to the parking area. Zebra, blesbuck, duiker and other small antelope may be seen. Extensive birdlife and flora occur.

Wagendrift Nature Reserve:
A 980 ha resort near Estcourt. Includes Moor Park Nature Reserve. Angling, sailing, power boating, water-skiing. 3 km self- guided trail. Youth centre for educational and environmental activities. Camp and caravan sites. Tel: (036) 352-5520.

Weenen Biosphere:
Situated in the greater Weenen district of central KwaZulu- Natal, a two hour drive from Durban and an easy four hours travelling from Johannesburg, the Thukela Biosphere offers visitors the opportunity to explore a unique conservation area. Consisting of some 100 000 hectares of valley bushveld, the Thukela Bioshphere is a unique concept that promotes conservation and community upliftment through the sustainable utilization of the area s natural resources. Malaria and bilharzias free, the biosphere offers tourists an informative and entertaining outdoor experience, coupled to a wide range of overnight accommodation facilities.

The topography of the Thukela Biosphere is diverse, with the veld ranging from large trees with dense canopies along the many rivers and streams to thick acacia scrub and open grasslands. As a result, the area supports a wide and fascinating range of wildlife elephant, white rhino, wildebeest, leopard, warthog, hyena, jackal and numerous species of buck.Bird watchers will revel in the prolific birdlife ostrich, ground hornbills, blue crane, crowned crane, bald ibis, vultures, a wide variety of smaller birds of prey, as well as reverine and grassland species.The mild climate of the biosphere also favours reptiles, and visitors will frequently encounter crocodiles, leguaans, a variety of tortoises, terrapins, snakes, lizards geckoes and, on occasion, the magnificent rock python.


There is an excellent network of dirt roads maintained by the areas privately owned game farms, and the Thukela Biosphere guarantees visitors a grandstand view of the flora and faun. 4X4 vehicle drives are encourage in the remote sectors, while local guided are available to bring new insight to the many facets of the Thukela Basin s rich historical and cultural heritage

Biosphere reserves, like Thukela, aim at protecting and using the environment to benefit the people living in an area, giving them the responsibility to protect it on behalf of future generations. Such reserves are governed through UNESCO, the environmental arm of the United Nations. The Thukela Biosphere was awarded the KwaZulu- Natal Nature Conservation Service conservation award (corporate section) in 1998 for its contribution to conservation within the Weenen area.

A range of tourism facilities offers the tourist and day tripper a real outdoor experience, including white river rafting on the Thukela River, 4X4 trails for beginners and advanced drivers, mountain biking through spectacular terrain and horseback safaris. The biosphere is an ideal venue for conferences and team building.

For more information contact Bushmans River Tourism Association.

Weenen Game Reserve:
The Weenen Game Reserve is a 6500 ha KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Services Park that forms the core of the Thukela Biosphere. Game includes, amongst others, black rhino and white rhino and the rare roan antelope. The reserve boasts a bird list of 279 species. It is one of few remaining formally protected areas of valley bushveld. A wide variety of activities, including night drives, guided/self-guided walks, a 47 km network of game viewing roads. 4X4 trails. There is a game viewing hide on a water-hole, and three scenic picnic sites. Rustic tented camp, cottage, camping and caravan sites.

For more information make use of the KZN Wildlife website or contact them at:
General Enquiries: (033) 845 1002
Reservations Office for hutted accommodation and wilderness trails
P.O. Box 13069
CASCADES,3202
Telephone: (033) 845 1000
Fax: (033) 845 1001

Reservations for Camping and Caravan Sites must be must be made directly with the Officer-in-Charge(036) 354-7013.

Mt Moriah Nature Trails
Weenen district. Two easy trails, two moderate to difficult trails. Includes valley bushlands, savannah and indigenous forests. Great birdlife and small game.
P.O. Box 112, Weenen 3325. Tel/Fax: 033-496 1660.

Hiking & Walking Trails

New Formosa
Old Furrow Walking Trail
Moor Park Nature Reserve

For more information on these trails contact Bushmans River Tourism Association.

4 x 4 Trails

Contact Bushmans River Tourism Association.

Mountain Bike Trails

Contact Bushmans River Tourism Association.

Fishing

Trout/Fly Fishing Tel:(036) 3526253
Black Bass & Barbel:
Wagendrift Dam
Eshlazi Dam

Copyright © Tourism KwaZulu-Natal