Mkhuze Game Reserve Hot

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Situated in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, which forms part of a World Heritage Site, Mkhuze Game Reserve is one of the countries top birding sites with well in excess of 450 species having been recorded. The varied habitats also provide for a wide diversity of mammal species including four of the Big Five. This ensures numerous photographic opportunities.

Accommodation ranges from camping and caravanning through to hutted and tented accommodation at Mantuma camp. The Nhlonhlela Bush Lodge is an eight bed lodge that overlooks the fever tree lined Nhlonhlela Pan. There are six game viewing hides scattered within the reserve. Guided walks and night drives may be booked through the reception office. There is a small shop and petrol is also available. Swimming pools are available in both the campsite and at Mantuma camp.

Photography

Best Time to Photograph

Early mornings and evenings are best for driving around to search for photographic subjects, but it is worth spending the whole day at the hides

Type of Photography

Landscape
Wildlife General
Birds

Best Time of Year

Winter

Photographic Tips

Winter months provide the best times for photography as the veld is dry and open. This also means that birds and animals concentrate around the numerous waterholes with accompanying hides.

Recommended Gear

A solid beanbag is a must for photographing at the hides. Telephoto lenses are a priority for bird and animal photography

Highlights

Site Highlights

Nsumo Pan
Sandveld Forest near Masinga and Bhubhe hides
Fig Tree Forest – Guided Walk
Malibale Waterhole

Top Species

Footnotes

Season and Weather

Summer months are extremely hot and humid and afternoon thunder showers can be expected. Note that this is a malaria area. Winter weather is more pleasant with cool temperatures and more stable weather patterns.

Habitats

Other Activities

Bird Watching
Game Viewing
Night Drives
Guided Walks

Guide/s Available

Zululand Birding Route has an experienced network of local guides who can help in finding those special and elusive species. They can be contacted via www.zbr.co.za or Tel: 035 7535644 or email: guides(at)zbr.co.za

Location

Closest Town

Hluhluwe

Getting There

Mkhuze is situated approximately 335 km’s north of Durban on the N2 and 35 km’s north of Hluhluwe. Follow the signposts off the N2. From this point the road is gravel. Follow it for about 15km’s before again turning right through the Lebombo Mountains. The entrance is 10kms along this road.

Address

Mkhuze Game Reserve

Map

Swap Start/End Start Address

End

User comments

I have recently Returned from Mkuze and would like to comment on Photographers using Bazooka sized cameras in the Hides. I have no problem with the size of the cameras except when in this instance one photographer took up prime space,enough for 3 extra persons with her camera equipment...laid out on the shelf and the benches where others could be sitting.
However my main gripe is the noise these cameras make when shooting multiple frames. We were surrounded by 3 such photographers and it was like being surrounded by machine guns. It TOTALLY spoiled my viewing experience where I expected silence to enjoy the wildlife. it also clearly disturbed some timid animals that turned away without drinking. For goodness sake...do you really need 1000 frames of one giraffe??? I beleive the time has come with the growing number of noisy cameras to start excluding them from hides where SILENCE is expected.
Regards
Marsha

Commented by marsha o,brien December 30, 2016

Noisy Cameras in Hide at Mkuze

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Author: Arne PurvesWebsite: http://www.arnepurves.co.zaEmail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About

Arne's passion for the environment, wildlife and conservation was instilled from an early age, leading to a career in nature conservation, first as a game ranger in the Natal Parks Board, a conservation officer with CapeNature and today in the City of Cape Town's Environmental Compliance Department. Photography is his creative medium of choice.