Hluleka Nature Reserve Hot

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flame lilly by wildlife and conservation photographer peter chadwick.

Lesser striped swallow by wildlife and conservation photographer peter chadwick.

coastal forest at hluleka by wildlife and conservation photographer peter chadwick.

sanderling by wildlife and conservation photographer peter chadwick.

Hluleka beach by wildlife and conservation photographer peter chadwick.

hluleka sandstone platforms on coastline

Hluleka Nature Reserve is only 772 hectares, yet it has a diversity of habitats that includes picturesque coastal sections of secluded rocky bays interspersed with sandy beaches.

Grassy hilltops and coastal forest make up the interior of the reserve. Birdlife is abundant with numerous shy forest species such as the Narina Trogon, Cape Parrot and Spotted Ground Thrush occurring.

Shy Blue Duiker, Bushpig and Bushbuck occur in the forest patches and scan out to sea from high vantage points will often produce sightings of whales and dolphin pods playing in the breaking waves.

Hluleka’s treasures are easily explored using the numerous hiking trails, and provide numerous photographic opportunities.

Photography

Best Time to Photograph

Landscape and coastal photography is best undertaken at either dawn or dusk, while the birds and insects become most active from about an hour after sunrise through to midday.

Type of Photography

Bird Photography
Coastal Photography
Landscape Photography
Insect Photography

Best Time of Year

Throughout the year

Photographic Tips

The area in and around the campsite is great for birding photography with some of the more usually shy forest birds being relaxed to human presence. High vantage points overlooking the coastal bays are also good for spotting and photographing dolphins that frolic in the waves. The various hiking trails should be walked from early to mid-morning to photograph butterflies and other insects sunning in the eco-tones.

Recommended Gear

Hluleka Nature Reserve provides a wide range of photographic opportunities that maximize the full range of lenses right from wide-angled through to large telephoto lenses. Stable tripods and cable releases for landscape photography is suggested.

Highlights

Top Species

Footnotes

Season and Weather

The area has a relatively high rainfall within the summer season and temperatures are warm and pleasant. The winters are mild.

Habitats

Other Activities

Bird Watching
Walking trails

Location

Closest Town

Port St Johns

Getting There

Hluleka Nature Reserve may be reached by travelling from Umtata along the road to Port St johns. At Libode, take a right turn and travel through to Ntibane and follow the signs to the reserve

Address

Hluleka Nature Reserve

Map

Swap Start/End Start Address

End

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Author: Peter ChadwickWebsite: http://www.peterchadwick.co.zaEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About

As a dedicated conservationist, Peter Chadwick has 30 years strategic and operational conservation experience in terrestrial and marine protected area management. He has worked within all of the major biomes in southern Africa as well as having provided expert conservation advice at a global level. His conservation and wildlife photography is a natural extension to his conservation work where he has numerous opportunities to capture photographs that showcase the beauty and complexity of the outdoors. Peter’s photography is internationally recognized, with this work appearing globally in a wide range of print and electronic media.