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Empisini Nature Reserve
skznbs 12.1
Categories: accommodation; roadside attraction; picnic; trails;
Empisini Nature Reserve is a delightful birding spot established in 1973. It is owned by the borough of uMkhomanzi/ Umkomaas TLC and is managed by the Umkomaas Centre of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa. It is 120ha in extent. 'Empisini' means 'the place of the hyena' and is the name of the perennial stream that flows through the reserve and into the uMhkomazi River . The reserve is about 1km from the coast just inland of Umkomaas town.
Specials to look out for are Narina Trogon , Spotted Ground-Thrush , Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird , Scaly-throated Honeyguide , Olive Woodpecker , Square-tailed Drongo , Grey Cuckooshrike , Terrestrial Brownbul , Yellow-bellied Greenbul , Red-capped Robin-Chat , Brown Scrub-Robin , Cape Batis , Ashy Flycatcher , Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher , Black Sparrowhawk , Little Sparrowhawk , African Goshawk , Tambourine Dove , Lemon Dove , Knysna Turaco , Purple-crested Turaco , African Emerald Cuckoo , Green Malkoha , Narina Trogon , Trumpeter Hornbill, Black-breasted Snake Eagle and African Black Duck.
Directions
Travel south from Durban on the main N2 freeway. Take the Umkomaas freeway exit to Umkomaas and turn left. Turn left again onto the road signposted to the Nature Reserve and SAICCOR. The turnoff to the reserve is about 1 km down this road on the left, follow the signposts.
Additional Info
There are picnic and braai sites alongside the dam for the use of day-visitors. Several excellent trails meander through the various habitats in the reserve and the trails alongside the Empisini stream provide excellent forest birding. Bird lists and maps are available on request from the contact persons.
Habitats: coastal forest, scrub and pioneer grassland, perennial stream and dam supporting extensive reed and sedge beds
Contact
The Empisini Nature Reserve is owned by the Umkomaas (uMkhomazi) Town Council, but is administered by the local branch of WESSA
Mike Bentley:
- Tel: +27 (0)39 973 0093 / +27 (0)39 973 8152
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Lesley
- Tel: +27 (0)39 973 0093