Pongola Nature Reserve

About Pongola Nature Reserve

The Pongola Nature Reserve in Pongola, was first proclaimed in 1894 and is the second oldest reserve in the world and the oldest in South Africa.

Did you know? Rare or endangered animals you can see in Pongola Nature Reserve include the honey badger and wild dog.

KwaZulu-Natal's beautiful Pongola Nature Reserve is home to an impressive collection of wildlife and vegetation. In addition to the two breeding herds of African elephant, there are also hyenas, buffalos, rhinos, leopards, zebras, wildebeests, giraffes, and impalas. These guarantee rewarding game drives and excellent photography opportunities.

The reserve has successfully implemented a cooperative conservation project that sees the working together of landowners, official conservation services, and the indigenous communities that have lived on the land for generations. It is part of a larger Big Five reserve. The Space for Elephant Foundation is involved here and is committed to creating a habitat that can accommodate 1 000 elephants, and to reestablishing the old elephant migration routes.

In 1817, the white rhino had been hunted so excessively that only 30 rhino remained. But, through committed conservation projects, the white rhinoceros is back from the brink. Since the 1960's, the population has increased significantly and to date over 3000 rhino have been successfully translocated to numerous game reserves in South Africa.

The Pongola Nature Reserve's 'Golela' section, under control of Kwazulu Natal Wildlife has over 40 white rhino. The Rhino Walk takes place here, in the Golela bushveld (Zulu for 'gathering place of animals').

The Pongola Nature Reserve has hippo, crocodile, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala and hyena, amongst others.

There are also more than 350 bird species. Of particular interest among plant species are the abundant cycads in the mountains. There are at least 25 indigenous fish species, 60 species of mammals and close to 100 species of reptiles and amphibia.