Zululand Rhino Reserve

Zululand Rhino Reserve



The Zululand Rhino Reserve is a 23 000ha Big 5 reserve on the Western side of the N2 between the towns of Hluhluwe and Mkuze.



There are 3 water ways that wind their way through the reserve; the Msunduze River, Sekane River and Manyoni River. Traditionally the Msunduze Valley has always been suitable for wildlife and traditional Zulu (Nguni) cattle. It was a seasonal grazing area and traditional hunting area of the Zulu clans that lived away from the valley. Lack of water and disease (Malaria and Nagana (sleeping sickness)) precluded habituation. After the First World War the area was subdivided into small (uneconomical) ranching and cropping units. Gradually these were developed, boreholes drilled and later were amalgamated into larger cattle ranching units, and then into game ranches. The reserve comprises of 17 different landowners who dropped their fences to create the ZRR. Each landowner is a shareholder in the company which is managed by a central body.

The land owners are each responsible for their own property but the ZRR management team is responsible for the wildlife, habitat management, security, boundary fence maintenance and business component of the company. In 2005 the ZRR became the second Game Reserve to become part of the WWF / EKZNW Black Rhino Expansion Project with the release of a founder population of Black Rhino, and by 2006 the first calf had been born. In April of 2009 everyone’s efforts were finally rewarded when the reserve was officially proclaimed a Protected Area, it is classed as a Nature Reserve - the highest status within the KZN Biodiversity Stewardship Programme. The Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis minor) is just one of the many reasons why the ZRR was able to acquire this conservation status. Other species of significant importance in the reserve include Wild Dog (Lycaon pictus), Leopard (Panthera pardus) Brown Hyena (Hyaena brunnea), Suni (Neotragus moschatus), Lappetfaced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos), White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus), Whiteheaded Vulture (Trigonoceps occipitalis), Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus), Rock Python (Python sebae natalensis), Kudu Lilly (Pachypodium saundersii), Climbing Onion (Bowiea volubilis), Huernia histrix, to name a few. In the near future the ZRR will be starting projects to supplement some of the current animal species populations of Cheetah, Hippo, Bushbuck, Brown and Spotted Hyena.

There are a number of lodges within the ZRR that offer Game Drives and Walking Safaris. Guests can expect to see a large diversity of Fauna and Flora with over 450 birds, 70 mammals and almost 200 species of trees and shrubs occurring in the area. With prices that range from R670 to R1695 there is something to suit everyone’s budget.



Zululand Walking Safaris is the only company that offers guiding walking safaris to guests that are not staying in the Zululand Rhino Reserve and we pride ourselves in being able to offer guests a very unique African experience. Walking Safaris or Trails are between 2 hours and a few days long, with guests using all 5 of their senses to really experience the African Bush.

By: Ivor van Rooyen

News: Lion released in Zululand Rhino Reserve

News:

The Zululand Rhino Reserve was established on 1st July 2004. The Reserve consists of 15 landowners which have removed their internal fences in order to create a 20 000 hectare endangered species reserve and in particular to actively promote the conservation of Black Rhino. The reserve lies within the Msunduze valley in north-western Zululand in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. On the 1st of July 2011, Zululand Rhino Reserve officially became a Big 5 reserve with the introduction of 3 male lions. An historical day for conservation, returning lions to an area that they previously inhabited. 

The 3 young males have been in a boma at Phinda Game Reserve for the last couple of weeks, until finally the go-ahead was given and they could be bought over to their new home. A few days before they were bought over to ZRR, they were fitted with telemetry collars so that they can keep track of their movements and whereabouts. Once the lions have settled in, and the researchers have an idea of their range, the collars will be removed. 

Right now the lions are in a boma here at ZRR, and they will spend a few more weeks in the boma so that they can acclimatise and monitored for any disease that they may have contracted. If they do need any medical assistance, it is much easier for them to be treated in a boma than if they were out roaming around.

If all goes to plan, the females which are from a completely different reserve, and therefore completely new bloodlines, will be joining the males in the boma soon so that they can form bonds and create a cohesive pride, after which they will be released into the reserve.