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Travelling in the direction of the rising sun, the area east of Vryheid holds the greatest diversity of trees in the province, as well as fantastic birding and game viewing and some important historical and religious sites. This region is the centre of the coal mining area, and contains open grassland and bushveld, interspersed with some impressive mountains. The | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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tarred R69 leads one to Louwsburg (70km), Pongola (140km) and the Mkhuze Game Reserve (230km). The magnificent Zulu War fortress of Hlobane Mountain
(E1, 35km) where Lt.
Col. Buller (later to become famous in the Boer War) earned his Victoria Cross rescuing mounted
horsemen in a desperate attempt to save his men from a trap that abaQulusi warriors had set for the British. The mountain has been mined for over a hundred years
for its rich coal seams, and a village of the same name lies at its
southern foot. (E2, 30km). For the most incredible scenery and
botany, a visit to the Bivane Dam (E3, 50km) is a must.
Located west of Ithala Game Reserve, and privately owned, this diverse area is still
under-explored and many new bird and plant species await discovery. The Bivane Dam, which is
named after the river, forms the central point from which to explore the area. Rareplants include
the Ithala Gladiolus, Bivane Waterwood, Wild Teak, Live-long and many smaller, interesting
botanical delights. Birding is productive, with rare species including Short-tailed Pipit, White-backed Night Heron and Red-headed Weaver all being regularly recorded. Klipspringer, Chacma Baboon, Mountain Reedbuck and Serval are some of the naturally occurring mammal species. Fishing is a popular activity here too, and an exciting annual canoe race, the Bivane Challenge, takes place downstream of the dam.On the way to Louwsburg you will find the place where Gen. Louis Botha's house (E4, 45km) was destroyed by invading British forces. Look out for the waterfall on the Nkongolwana River just past this point on the right.For a pocket-sized botanical and birding experience, visit the iGwala gwala Nature Reserve (E5, 75km) just north of Louwsburg. It supports rare and endangered species that are hard to find elsewhere in the region. Transvaal Bottlebrush, Ngoje Lily, Vryheid Aloe and many more grace the rocky and grassy slopes. It is one of the few areas that support 3 species of flufftails; Red-chested, Buff-spotted and Striped. Ithala Game Reserve (E6, 80km), just north of Louwsburg, offers the visitor 4 of the Big Five, 330 bird species and the highest number of tree species in any reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. The 1km altitudinal difference in the reserve ensures huge diversity, unparalleled in the region. Blue Crane, Denham's Bustard, Barrow's Korhaan and Secretarybird are specials found in the higher, grassland areas while Narina Trogon, Half-collared Kingfisher and Gorgeous Bush Shrike and are sought-after denizens of riverine forest. Cliffs flank the southern border, and are home to Verreaux's Eagle and Striped Pipit. The bushveld plains support rare raptors such as the Bateleur and White-backed Vulture. Ithala is also home to many eagerly sought after mammals such as White and Black Rhinoceros, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, Tsessebe, Giraffe and Klipspringer. All these highlights make this park a must-see haven for wildlife. An active gold mine (E7, 100km) can be seen from the reserve.Further south lies the impressive Ngome Forest and Ntendeka Wilderness Area (E8, 80km). A combination of coastal scarp and montane forest, Ngome is a paradise for botanists and birders. Well marked trails lead one to cascading waterfalls, cool mountain streams, open, moist grassland and extensive patches of climax forest. Many rare plants are found here, from trees and shrubs to lilies, orchids, Streptocarpus and ferns. Included in the 200+ bird species are Orange Ground Thrush, Eastern Bronze-naped Pigeon, Blue Swallow and Narina Trogon. The forest is also home to many butterfly species. The green plantations of the Ngome Tea Estates (E9, 95km) lie across the Sikwebezi valley. The Ngome Marion Shrine (E10, 100km), situated on the southern side of the tea estate, is one of the most important shrines in South Africa. It was erected in 1966 on request from Bishop Aurelian Bilgeri OSB and Sister Reinolda May OSB, and was moved to a bigger chapel in 1985. The shrine affords spectacular views over the forest, as well as a number of natural springs.The huge Pongolapoort Dam (E11, 180km), famous for its Tiger Fishing, is another popular and beautiful spot in the far eastern section of the region. |
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