Uvongo River Nature Reserve

About Uvongo River Nature Reserve

From the bridge that crosses the iVungu River at Uvongo a nature reserve stretches upstream, created to protect the throng of riverine birds that make the area their home.

Did you know? African crowned eagle, African fish-eagle, narina torgon and yellow-bellied greenbul can be seen in the Uvongo River Nature Reserve.

Uvongo River Nature Reserve is an easy drive from Durban, making a visit to the reserve a lovely day's outing (especially if you throw in the other two birding attractions as well).

Although a small reserve, the 28 hectare Uvongo River Nature Reserve boasts such rarities as the buff-spotted flufftail, purple-banded sunbird and the grey waxbill.

And even amongst those more commonly spotted in the reserve is a group of birds the average birder would be excited to tick off their list, like the African crowned eagle, African fish-eagle, narina torgon and yellow-bellied greenbul.

This is bird lover country. Not only does the Uvongo Bird Park, with its walk-through avaries, lie right next door to the Uvongo River Nature Reserve, but further along the coast in Port Edward (roughly a half hour's drive from here) is the Umtamvuna River Gorge where vultures make the cliffs their home.

Walking trails are well trodden and extend upstream along the iVungu River away from the Uvongo Beach Lodge through scattered trees and coastline and riverine forest (but be warned, it gets very hot in the reserve).

There are picnic spots and braai facilities, but you will need to make other arrangements for toilets as those at the reserve are said to be in rather a sad state.

Uvongo River Nature Reserve lies between Uvongo Beach and Beacon Rocks, off Marine Drive.