Nature reserves in Mpumalanga

Nature Reserves & Wildlife

This collection highlights the diverse ecosystems of Mpumalanga, from the high-altitude wetlands of Wakkerstroom and Belfast to the lowveld savannas of the Timbavati and Kruger National Park. It features private reserves like Motswari and Ingwelala, which share unfenced borders with Kruger, alongside specialized bird hides such as Ratelpan and Sweni. These sites provide strategic vantage points for observing the Big Five and rare endemic bird species within protected riverine and grassland habitats.

Nature Reserves & Wildlife — Map

A

Ingwelala - Argyle

Part of the Umbabat Nature Reserve sharing unfenced borders with Kruger National Park.

B

Motswari Private Game Reserve

Family-owned reserve in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve known for Big Five sightings and riverine landscapes.

C

Ingwelala - Sibon

Section of the Ingwelala private reserve within the Umbabat Nature Reserve ecosystem.

D

Ingwelala - Op Goedehoop

Private conservancy area integrated into the Greater Kruger National Park ecosystem.

E

Ingwelala - Buffelsbed

Lowveld savanna habitat within the Umbabat Nature Reserve, facilitating free movement of wildlife from Kruger.

F

Hide

Observation point for wildlife viewing in the central Kruger National Park region.

G

WOW hide

Bird observation structure in the Wakkerstroom wetland area, known for sightings of endemic grassland species.

H

Clive Beck hide

Located in the Wakkerstroom vlei, this hide offers views of high-altitude wetland birds and rails.

I

Voel Skuiling

Bird observation point located near Middelburg in the Mpumalanga highveld.

J

Ntandanyati Hide

Bird and wildlife hide overlooking the Sabie River near Lower Sabie in Kruger National Park.

K

Ratelpan Bird Hide

Elevated hide overlooking the Timbavati River, located near the Timbavati Picnic Site in Kruger National Park.

L

Orpen Dam Hide

Overlooks a permanent water source near the Orpen rest camp, attracting elephants and diverse birdlife.

M

Sweni Hide

Thatched hide on the banks of the Sweni River, known for sightings of African Finfoot and kingfishers.

N

Dwars-in-die-wegvlei

Wetland area located near the border of Mpumalanga and Gauteng, supporting local aquatic biodiversity.

O

Lakenvleispruit

High-altitude wetland near Belfast, critical for the conservation of rare cranes and waterbirds.

P

Majosie se Vlei

Wetland habitat in the Mpumalanga highveld near Ermelo.

Q

Mzabi

Wetland area located in the southern region of Kruger National Park.

R

Silolweni

Wetland and water source located near the Sweni region of Kruger National Park.

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