Karkloof Nature Reserve
Karkloof Nature Reserve is located in the Midlands of KwaZulu-Natal, approximately 30km north of Howick, straddling the Mpofana and uMngeni local municipalities, within the uMgungundlovu district. The nature reserve is 3,274.7 ha, which combines land parcels that are owned, assigned to, or leased by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, or by private individuals incorporated through the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife biodiversity stewardship programme. The reserve continues to expand.
The Karkloof Nature Reserve is a key component of the protected area system of KwaZulu-Natal, primarily for its role in securing indigenous Eastern Mistbelt Forest and its surrounding grassland-wetland continuum. It lies within the upper catchments of the uMgeni and uThukela Rivers which are of crucial strategic importance in supplying water to the large cities in the region.
The Karkloof Nature Reserve was created in 1983. The 410ha Rockwood Farm was leased to the Natal Parks Board (now Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife) for R1.00 per annum to provide long-term protection to the highly threatened forest area.
The greater Karkloof area has been identified as ecological significance because of its biodiversity and mist belt, forests, grassland and wetlands. Currently, the reserve consists of about 60% mist-belt forest and 40% mist-belt grassland. It ranges in altitude from 1000m to 1767m. The result is a significant number of endemic and near-endemic species of fauna and flora, including the Karkloof Blue butterfly (Orachrysops ariadne) and a sub-species of crested guinea fowl. The nature reserve provides opportunity for the rehabilitation of previously drained wetlands in an attempt to attract new breeding pairs of cranes to this historical breeding sites.
In 2012 the Karkloof Private Nature Reserve was declared under The Protected Areas Act with its own Management Plan. The management plan was developed by Wild Trust in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Birding
The Karkloof is a dream location for birders or “twitchers” and boasts a number of rare and endemic species. There are over 185 bird species listed. The Reserve provides an important breeding site for wattled crane (critically endangered), foraging habitat for grey crowned and blue cranes. Cape parrots, also critically endangered, have been recorded in the Karkloof Nature Reserve.
Game Viewing
There are opportunities for game viewing within the reserve. In the early mornings and late evenings, you are likely to see bushbuck (nkonka) and reedbuck grazing. The gregarious and vocal Samango monkeys are often heard as they swing through the trees, and small blue duiker (impithi) can sometimes be spotted treading lightly through the forest undergrowth. As always, game viewing is for both the patient and observant, as well as the lucky ones.
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