KwaZulu Natal Travel Guides -  Birding Safaris -  Accommodation - Car Hire

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  INFORMATION:
  BABANANGO

BIRDING
Province: Zululand
Route: Ntinini Nature Reserve

A unique reserve which dominates the surrounding area with the majestic presence of Zungeni hill towering some 1 306 m a.s.l. The north facing slopes of Zungeni hill are characterised by open woodland dispersed between scenic sandstone boulder outcrops. Moist Midland Mistbelt and Lowveld occur within the reserve. The reserve is drained by tributaries of the Ntinini River to the west which form part of the greater White Umfolozi River catchment area. The annual rainfall ranges from 800 mm to 1280 mm. An unpredictable climate where heavy mists are common, hail, frost and the occasional drought, usually of short duration are know to occur. 

Directions
Travelling from Babanango along the R68 towards Nqutu, turn right approximately 20 km outside of Babanango onto the gravel road to Vryheid. (Approximately 1 ½ km prior to reaching this point you would have passed a gravel road on the left hand side of the tar road leading to Nkandla). Driving along the gravel road to Vryheid you cross the Ntinini River and continue to travel along the western bank of the river. Approximately 13 km along this road is Ntinini hamlet, turn right at the store and travel towards Zungeni hill in an easternly direction for approximately 3 km before reaching Ntinini Game Reserve.

Accommodation
No visitor accommodation is available. Accommodation is available in the surrounding area see accommodation information for details.

Specials
A pair of resident Black eagles have a nesting site established on the north western cliff face of Zungeni hill. The nesting site although not always in the same position is utilised on an annual basis. The pair of Black eagles have been successful in raising chicks over the past several years.

Birders to add..... e.g Rock pigeons, red billed woodhoopoe, Yellowthroated longclaw etc...

Other points of interest
An extensive donga system several hundred years old occurs within the reserve. This formation has creating opportunities for nesting sites to be burrowed into these steep banks. 

Enhancements
The reserve is centrally located to other birding spots along the Zululand Birding Route, namely Ophathe Game Reserve, Emakhosini Valley, Babanango, Nkandla and Qudeni Forest Reserves. The famous historical battlefields are located in the vicinity.

by Sharon Louw