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  MKHUZE  | MKHUZE GAME RESERVE | DOWNLOAD MKHUZE E-BROCHURE

BIRDING SAFARIS
Province: Zululand
Route: Mkhuze Falls Private Game Reserve

Mkhuze Falls lies in the heart of the extensive bushveld biome of northern Zululand. Part of a huge private reserve, Mkhuze Falls takes its name from the waterfall in front of the main camp. The rivers are lined with forest, as are the many kloofs (mountain valleys). The more undulating areas are covered with mature bushveld. There are also a few wetlands, most notably the one just before the main camp.

DIRECTIONS
Travelling from Johannesburg in the north, take the N2 Highway through Piet Retief and on to Phongola. On entering the town, take the right hand turn-off marked "Vryheid, Louwsburg" This is the R66. Follow this road for approximately 35km, and turn right at the sign marked "Mkhuze Falls". The reserve lies a few kilometres from the turn-off on a dirt road.

Travelling from Durban in the south, take the N2 Highway till Phongola and then take the left turn on the R66 (as above).

ACCOMMODATION
A variety of accommodation types occur in the reserve, including bushcamps and lodges.

SPECIALS FOR THE AREA
The reserve has a bird list of well over 300 species. Woodland or bushveld specials include Natal Francolin, Black-bellied Korhaan, Bronze-winged Courser, Bearded Woodpecker, Flappet Lark, Red-billed Oxpecker, Scarlet-chested Sunbird and Red-headed Weaver. Waxbills include Green-winged Pytilia, Blue Waxbill and Red-billed Firefinch. Small parties of White-crested Helmet-Shrike are also often encountered.

The forested areas can produce Narina Trogon, Rudd's Apalis, Eastern Nicator, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Red-capped Robin-Chat, African Green Pigeon, Purple-crested Turaco, Crested Guineafowl and, along the rivers and streams, African Finfoot and Mountain Wagtail.

Wetland specials include Yellow-billed Stork, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Fulvous and White-faced Duck, African Jacana and rarely Black Coucal and Rufous-bellied Heron.

The reserve is also home to many raptors such as African Hawk, Martial, African Crowned and Tawny Eagles, Bateleur, Shikra, White-backed Vulture and African Goshawk.

OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST
Mkhuze Falls is one of only a handful of privately owned reserves in Zululand that host all of the "Big Five" - lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo. Cheetahs occur as well, and are often seen on the airstrip. A variety of other game also occurs in the reserve, including zebra, giraffe, kudu and nyala.

By Duncan McKenzie