←

birding sites

→

Lake Eland Game Reserve
skznbs 13.3

Categories: accommodation; roadside attraction; camping; hide; trails;

This is a private reserve 5000 hectares in extent. At higher altitude open grassy rolling hills dominate, whilst lower down typical valley bushveld vegetation is predominant. The Umzimkulwana River runs through the reserve and a large dam has been constructed on a tributary of this river. The area known as Hell's Gate consists of deep gorge guarded on both sides by spectacular rocky cliffs. This area leads into the Oribi Gorge. BirdLife is prolific and numerous game animals abound in this reserve.

Specials to look out for are African Shelduck, Lazy Cisticola, African Fish-Eagle, African Crowned Eagle, Cape Longclaw, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Black Cuckoo, Black Cuckooshrike, Striped Pipit , Narina Trogon , African Pygmy-Kingfisher, Knysna Turaco, Purple-crested Turaco, African Wood-Owl, Yellow Weaver, Forest Buzzard, Orange-breasted Bush-Shrike, Southern Tchagra, Black-bellied Starling, Eastern Olive Sunbird, Grassbird, Rufous-naped Lark, Familiar Chat, Chin-spot Batis, Streaky-headed Seedeater, Trumpeter Hornbill, Crowned Hornbill, Grey Crowned Crane, Red-winged Francolin and Shelley's Francolin.

Directions

Take the main N2 highway from Port Shepstone to Kokstad. The turnoff to Oribi Gorge is 21km from Port Shepstone . Turn right and follow the road through the gorge to the top on the far side. At the T-junction turn left and follow the tarred road for a few kilometres till you meet a good gravel road, the entrance to Lake Eland reserve is well marked on the left hand side of the road a short distance from the end of the tar.

Additional Info

Amenities consist of a restaurant/ Pub with a curio shop and shady picnic sites with basic ablution facilities, situated at scenic spots along the extensive network of game viewing tracks that allow access to remoter parts of the reserve. A lookout point and adrenalin stirring suspension bridge over a section of the gorge are popular sites to visit.

Habitats: at higher altitude open grassy rolling hills dominate, whilst lower down typical valley bushveld vegetation is predominant. The Umzimkulwana River runs through the reserve and is flanked by riverine forest. Steep cliffs and a well vegetated rocky gorge lead the Umzimkulwana River into the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve.

Contact

Shaun
• Tel: +27 (0)39 687 039
• Mobile: +27 (0)83 257 9468