Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve lies in the heart of the KwaZulu Natal midlands and is best known for being the home of WESSA and the spectacular gorge with the Howick Falls. It comprises of a rolling plateau of grasslands and mixed with woodlands that fall into a steep sided gorge through which the umgeni river cuts.
The reserve is host to an impressive variety of birdlife and in springtime the veld is covered in numerous flowering species. Wildlife is generally relaxed with Burchelles Zebra, impala, warthog and Blesbok being the most frequently encountered. Insect life is equally well represented with butterflies being particularly abundant. There is an indigenous tree trail surrounding the main Education Centre and self-guided walks mingling with the game animals cut through Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve.
