Thurlow Park at Midmar Game Reserve

Categories: accommodation; roadside attraction; picnic; trails

A 1000 ha game park is open to visitors. Red hartebeest, Black Wildebeest, Blesbok, Common Reedbuck, Oribi and Plains Zebra can be viewed from vehicles, cycles or on foot. Scarce mammals occasionally recorded are Aardvark, Porcupine, White-tailed Mongoose, Black-backed Jackal, Slender Mongoose and Serval.

Driving around the reserve you may see a variety of waterbirds including White-breasted Cormorant, Goliath Heron, Red-billed Teal, Spur-winged Goose and occasionally South African Shelduck.

Grassland species are numerous with Denham's Bustard, Red-winged Francolin, Black-winged and Crowned Lapwings, Red-capped Lark, Wing-snapping, Cloud, Pale-crowned and Croaking Cisticolas, African Pipit, Cape Longclaw and Long-tailed and Fan-tailed Widowbird.

Raptors are numerous and may include Black-shouldered Kite, Long-crested Eagle, Jackal and Common Buzzard, African Fish-Eagle, Black Sparrowhawk and African Marsh-Harrier. Spotted Eagle, Barn, African Grass and African Marsh Owl are regular nocturnal hunters.

Other species to watch out for are Red-necked Spurfowl, Bokmakierie and Red-throated Wryneck.

Specials to look out for are Blue Crane, Grey-crowned Crane, Denham's Bustard, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Red-winged Francolin, Red-necked Spurfowl, Marsh Owl, Black-winged Lapwing, African Crake, African Marsh-Harrier, African Grass-Owl, Cuckoo Finch and Orange-breasted Waxbill.

Directions

Midmar Nature Reserve is situated off the N3, 24 km from Pietermaritzburg, and 7 km from Howick. NB : Entrance fee is payable at the main entrance (R103) you then have to drive to the Nature Reserve via the Thurlow Gate (situated 4.5km west on the Underberg/Bulwer Road ).

Additional Info

The site is accessible to day visitors and a nominal entrance fee is payable at the main entrance to Midmar Nature Reserve.

There is plenty of safe parking for cars and there are toilet facilities available. Restaurants can be found nearby.

Habitats: Midmar Dam, reedbeds and grassland.

Contact

KZN Wildlife (Midmar Nature Reserve)
Tel: +27 (0)33 502 9090
E-mail: info@kznwildlife.co.za