Umtamvuna Nature Reserve

Coastal nature reserve in South Africa

31°01′S 30°10′E / 31.01°S 30.16°E / -31.01; 30.16Area3,257 hectares (8,050 acres)Established1971Administered byEzemvelo KZN Wildlife

The Umtamvuna Nature Reserve is situated in South Africa on the KwaZulu-Natal side of the Mtamvuna River, and is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The reserve is 3,257 hectares in extent and was established on 25 July 1971.^[1]

Description

The reserve includes a section of the Mtamvuna River, and surrounding cliffs and plateaus, from the outskirts of the town of Port Edward to 19 km inland. The total river frontage in the reserve is about 28 km.^[1] The reserve also includes the Bulolo River; a tributary of the Mtamvuna.^[1] The reserve's 14 km nature trail is suitable for adept and well-prepared hikers.^[2]

The plateau areas consist of grasslands (Pondoland Sourveld), which drop off into Coastal Scarp Forest in the gorge along the river below.^[1] Some of the cliff-faces are up to 240 m high, and a colony of Cape vultures is said to nest on them.^[1] The cliffs were formed by the river incising into Natal Group Sandstone, and many endemic plants grow on this substrate and the soils derived from it.^[3] The grassland areas of the reserve are known for their natural display of wildflowers in late spring, depending on rainfall and burns.^[1]

Wildlife

Animals in the reserve include

Samango monkey
Blue duiker
Bushbuck
Leopard^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Pooley, T. and Player, I. (1995). KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Destinations. ISBN 1-86812-487-8.
^ Marriah-Maharaj, Jolene (4 May 2021). "PICS: Elderly KZN couple spend the night in a nature reserve after getting lost". KwaZulu-Natal. iol.co.za. IOL. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
^ Pooley, E. (1993). The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei. ISBN 0-620-17697-0.