Ntsikeni Nature Reserve is located in southern KwaZulu-Natal Province, between Underberg and Kokstad, and protects an area of 9 200 ha. The name “Ntsikeni” originates from the Ntsikeni Mountain on the eastern boundary of the reserve, which is called “iNtsikeni” by the local people. The word “intsika” means the pillar, referring to the roof support structure found in most traditional huts. 

The reserve is bordered to the south and east by many villages of the Umzimkhulu Local Municipality. Umzimkhulu Local Municipality primarily consists of traditional areas and has a population of more than 100 persons/km². The Ntsikeni Liaison Forum acts as the intermediator between the reserve authority and local rural community. 

Ntsikeni Nature Reserve plays an important role in conserving Ntsikeni Vlei and its catchment which supplies water to the Ngwagwane and Umzimkhulu River systems. The upper catchment of the Ngwagwane River drains 1 382 million m³ per annum (or 2.7% of South Africa’s average annual runoff) which ultimately feeds into the Indian Ocean at Port Shepstone. Ntsikeni catchment (75km²) contributes a mean runoff of 22 million m³ per annum. Thus, Ntsikeni Vlei is particularly significant with regard to water storage and streamflow regulation for a wide spectrum of downstream communities, some of whom depend on this water supply for their daily survival. 

Ntsikeni Nature Reserve is the largest protected area in the foothills of the Drakensberg. The reserve conserves a representative portion of Drakensberg Foothill Moist Grassland vegetation, which is otherwise poorly protected throughout its range. In addition, the reserve also protects one of KwaZulu-Natal’s priority wetlands. Ntsikeni Vlei is one of the few wetlands in the area that has low levels of hydrological impact and modification to its ecological integrity. Other wetlands in the surrounding landscape have been heavily disturbed or transformed by human activities. Although the catchment and tributaries that feed into Ntsikeni Vlei are being blocked by alien invasive trees and soil erosion, large scale threats such as dams and water abstraction are absent. Not only does Ntsikeni Vlei continue to provide various ecosystem goods and services to local communities, but it also provides an essential service to the global community by capturing and storing carbon in peat layers. It is essential that this extensive peat layer be preserved and well managed if South Africa is to contribute to climate change mitigation. 

The Ntsikeni Vlei and surrounding grasslands support a high biodiversity including regionally threatened, rare and endemic species. Some examples are several breeding pairs of Wattled Cranes (Critically Endangered), Short-tailed Pipit (Vulnerable), Yellow-breasted Pipit (Vulnerable), African Marsh Harrier (Endangered), Denham’s Bustard (Vulnerable), Striped Flufftail (Vulnerable), African Grass Owl (Vulnerable), Secretary Bird (Endangered), Southern Ground Hornbill (Endangered), African Clawless Otter and Spotted-necked Otter (Near Threatened), Oribi (Endangered), Mountain Reedbuck (Endangered), and Grey Rhebok (Near Threatened). The reserve is home to a roosting colony of between 40-70 southern African endemic Cape Vultures (Vulnerable) and a breeding pair of Bearded Vultures (Critically Endangered). 

Ntsikeni Vlei is also one of the few sites in Africa to support the globally Critically Endangered White-winged Flufftail (Sarothrura ayresi). The White-winged Flufftail is considered to be one of the rarest and most threatened waterbirds in Africa. The total population was estimated at no more than 250 breeding adults in 2013. Ethiopia and, more recently, South Africa are the only two countries where White-winged Flufftails are known to breed. The White-winged Flufftail is a wetland specialist that breeds at high-elevation wetlands. The White-winged Flufftail International Working Group (under the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement, AEWA) identified Ntsikeni Nature Reserve as an area were intervention in the use of wetland resources by the community is required. 

Two tourist lodges were built in the reserve in 2003 as part of the Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Project. These are May Lodge, designed for school groups and conferences, and Ntsikeni Lodge, providing more exclusive tourist accommodation. The donation of the lodges to the Ntsikeni Community Trust was facilitated by local government entities, namely the Harry Gwala Development Agency, Department of Economic Development Tourism and Environmental Affairs, and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The lodges were previously managed by the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife through the organisation’s Projects Office but is now solely managed by the Ntsikeni Community Trust. The trust is administered by the Ntsikeni Community Liaison Forum by agreement between the community traditional authorities and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The benefactors of any profit generated from the lodges are the eMangeni Community (under the Mabandla Traditional Authority) and eMalenge Community (under the Nhlabathi Traditional Authority).

Ntsikeni Nature Reserve has immense eco-tourism potential should the correct infrastructure and services be established. This is particularly true for avitourism given the diversity of rare and threatened bird species that are found at the reserve. Ntsikeni Nature Reserve will form part of the Drakensberg Birding Route that is being developed by BirdLife South Africa, thus directing both national and international interest to the area. Tourists who enjoy hiking, walking, bird watching, and photography can have these experiences at Ntsikeni Nature Reserve given the absence of dangerous game. 

There are several overarching operational and ecological issues at Ntsikeni Nature Reserve. These include:  

• Cattle graze inside the reserve throughout the year causing several ecological issues.  
• Grassland (veld) condition and soil erosion are worsened by the presence of domestic and feral livestock species grazing in the reserve.  
• There are areas of dense alien plant invasion, particularly by Black Wattle along drainage lines, resulting in the consumption of large amounts of underground water resources, disruption of the water table, displacement of natural species, increased risk of fire and flooding, and soil erosion.  
• Extensive erosion gullies throughout the catchment encourage the spread of unpalatable pioneer species such as Bracken Fern and (alien) Bramble, and have caused the deposition of sediment into wetlands which threaten the specialised habitat of species such as the White-winged Flufftail. 
• Severe understaffing and underfunding have resulted in annual unplanned and arson fires that have degraded veld and wetland condition, and poor law enforcement leading to poaching and other biosecurity risks. 

• Most importantly, the reserve lacks the basic infrastructure needed to support tourism, and the community lacks the expertise and resources to market and maintain the lodges effectively. 

The Empowering People Programme and White-winged Flufftail Conservation Project (through the Landscape Conservation Programme) at BirdLife South Africa aims to develop mutually beneficial projects, particularly in rural landscapes, where the most synergistic opportunities exist for creating jobs and providing educational opportunities using natural resources while conserving these same resources. Birding and bird-related tourism (avitourism) provide ideal vehicles to achieve this socio-development-environmental synergy. The benefits of tourism can be quickly eradicated if not developed by long‐term sustainability projects. This is especially the case if local communities are marginalised from tourism benefits, which may have negative implications for the protection of local environments that are supported by nature-based tourism. Umzimkhulu Local Municipality has an unemployment rate of 46.6% with a youth unemployment rate of 56.8% (2011 South African Census). Only 4.9% of the population above the age of 20 have a higher education and 60.3% of households are headed by women. Ntsikeni Nature Reserve provides a means to alleviate poverty and develop skills in the area through community-based projects. This not only improves the appreciation and extrinsic value that communities have for nature but also creates more opportunities for job creation through improved ecosystem service delivery. BirdLife South Africa, for example, continues to employ and upskill members of the community to independently offer tour guides for birding, thus creating opportunities to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families. These community bird guides act as environmental ambassadors within their respective communities by demonstrating the potential for deriving a livelihood from nature and influencing the perspectives of the youth and community decision-making. 

Proposed community project objectives are broadly divided into three categories based on the most pressing conservation and management needs of Ntsikeni Nature Reserve and the surrounding communities: (1) eco-tourism development, (2) habitat restoration, and (3) reserve infrastructure. The projects seek to create opportunities for upliftment through job creation, skill development, and improved quality of life for local community members. A phased approach over ten years would ensure that all objectives are accomplished with the best possible results. 

BirdLife South Africa proposes that the first phase of the Ntsikeni Nature Reserve Community Project specifically targets objectives that directly affect tourism (particularly avitourism) to initiate and maintain incentive cycles that benefit the community. Future phases can look at addressing the more costly and logistically demanding habitat restoration and reserve infrastructure objectives.  

Bird Guiding Services

Explore the vast grasslands, wetlands, and mountains of Ntsikeni Nature Reserve with BirdLife South Africa’s community bird guide, Dalu Ngcobo. Dalu has over 15 years’ experience as a professional bird guide with many fun-filled stories from his childhood at the reserve having been born in the area in 1970. Dalu has recorded over 170 species within the reserve, many of which are threatened and endemic. Some of the specials that can be seen at the reserve include Wattled, Grey-crowned, and Blue Crane, Bearded Vulture (breeding), Denham’s Bustard, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Pale-crowned Cisticola, Eastern Long-billed Lark, Barratt’s Warbler, Bush Blackcap, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Sentinel Rock Thrush, Black-rumped Buttonquail, Ground Woodpecker, Baillon’s Crake, and Red-chested and Striped Flufftail. Dalu offers a unique and adventurous birding experience for any type of birder. School groups can also be accommodated for field excursions and demonstrations upon special request. 

To place a booking, contact Thandulwazi Ndaba (BirdLife South Africa’s Empowering People Programme Intern) at +27(0) 71 718 1566 / + 27 (0) 82 289 3396 or thandulwazi.ndaba@birdlife.org.za. Rates are charged per group (maximum 8 people) at R600 per 3 hours (6 am to 9 am), R1,200 per half (6 am to 12 pm), and R1650 per full day. Please provide a week’s notice to ensure a smooth process. Otherwise, bookings can be made latest 48 hours beforehand. It is recommended that two full days be spent at the reserve to see most species. 

 

Ntsikeni Nature Reserve guest reviews of Dalu Ngcobo	Date	Reviewed by
“The service we received from Dalu was exceptional, his knowledge of the surrounding areas is truly amazing and he never failed to produce a smile, even at the most trying of times.”	21 November 2010	Reach Africa Birding Safaris
“Thanks, Dalu, for all the amusing stories and bits of extensive bird knowledge.”	28 November 2010	Meg and Stu
“Dalu’s knowledge was invaluable.”	29 November 2010	Enoch and Joan
“Dalu, you are a very hospitable man, and we loved chatting to you about the birds in the area.”	29 December 2010	Nikki Haywood and Ann Harrison
“… His birding knowledge and birding abilities are exceptional.”	13 November 2011	Reach Africa Birding Safaris
“Dalu you rock, thank you for looking after us.”	27 December 2011	Lothar Karthein
“Dalu you are the best: great bird knowledge, caring and attentive to all our needs. Keep up the great and dedicated work you do, and your nickname is definitely ‘MR NTSKIKENI’.”	27 December 2011	John Neville
“Dalu you are a very nice person and guide – thank you.”	30 December 2011	Carol and Ian Fowls
“… thanks to Dalu for seeing to our every need and trying his utmost to find the Bittern and Flufftails.”	30 December 2011	Peter and Brenda Stubbs
“Dalu found us in the mist at 12; lost wondering where we were going to sleep (in the wattle trees). He needs a badge.”	21 March 2012	Arrie, Bruce, Marius and Piet
“Wonderful warm hospitality from the Dalu Lama. Superlative natural beauty, rewarding birding.”	1 November 2012	Clinton Carbutt
“Thanks to the knowledge and caring of Dalu Ngcobo who, this time, surprised us with his culinary skills in the kitchen in addition to his normal local knowledge and humour!”	18 November 2012	Glen Packer
“… Dalu, thanks for welcoming us to your home in the mountains… Thank you Dalu for your kindness and hospitality.”	27 December 2012	Stijn and Fran Laenen
“… Thanks to Dalu again with his wealth of knowledge about the place with some interesting historical facts.”	3 January 2013	John Neville
“Thank you, Dalu, for taking such good care of us in this beautiful place.”	20 January 2013	Bushy and Paul
“Many thanks to Dalu for making our stay at Ntsikeni a wonderful, pleasant stay, and a successful birding trip.”	12 February 2013	Anthony and Ros Humphrey, Ernie and Mo Shaw
“Thank you, Dalu, for professional service and help.”	16 February 2013	Neville and Carol; Shane and Louise; John, Sandy, Jesica and Shaun; Alastair, Hannelie, Ian and Scott
“Dalu’s warm hospitality is hard to beat. [We had a] Wonderful walk with him.”	3 March 2013	Luid lands Hiking Club
“… [Dalu is] an incredibly attentive and excellent host. Nothing is too much trouble for him, and he made us feel so very welcome.”	22 March 2013	Tanya Goodison and Colleen Nothnagel
“Dalu is amazing, [he has a] huge responsibility for keeping people safe in snow, mist, rain, and dark.”	22 March 2013	Barbara and Dave Gallaher
“Thank you, Dalu, for making our stay so awesome… Thanks to Dalu for making our Easter weekend happy, peaceful and enjoyable.”	2 April 2013	Antony and Ros Humphris, Wayne and Ann Sykes, and Trish Johnson
“Wonderful stay. Dalu [is] a most special host and guide. Perfect.”	26 May 2013	Bruce and Lyn Gemmell
“Dalu entertained us with great food and wonderful stories. Thank you, Dalu, for sharing your ‘office’ with me on those rare occasions when a phone call actually managed to squeeze through.”	24 June 2013	Sakkie, Tabu, Zelda and Mia
“Dalu was exceptional, in his service and his knowledge.”	30 June 2013	Rick, Trevor, Daan, Rina, Danie and Donna
“Dalu was such a perfect host. He is very knowledgeable of the birds and the area, [and has] A great sense of humour.”	11 November 2013	Peter, Lesley, David, Grahame, Charmaine Snow; Margaret MacIver and Charlotte Gold
“Dalu is such a kind and gracious gentleman.”	17 November 2013	Mark Titthey, Louis and Charnelle du Toit, and Cecilia van Heerden
“Dalu was a star.”	24 January 2014	Anthony and Ros Humphries
“Mr Ngcobo is an asset to this establishment – much appreciated.”	12 January 2014	Dudley and Margie Smith
“Many thanks to Dalu for looking after us so well.”	7 April 2014	Becky Mitchell and Martin Reck
“Our experience would never have been as enjoyable if Dalu had not been our host. He is a delightful companion, knowledgeable about the wildlife and nothing was too much of an effort for him.”	7 April 2014	Mick Goodall, Michele Akroyd and Tony Visser
“Mr Ngcobo you are a legend.”	2 June 2014	Ric, Paul and Des
“Thanks to Ngcobo we cleaned up 98% of our targets – Mountain Wheatear, Drakensberg Rockjumper, Ground Woodpecker, Malachite Sunbird, Wailing and Wing-snapping Cisticola, Rail, Yellow-breasted Pipit, Baillon’s Crake, Wattled Crane, Grass Owl, Black Harrier… Awesome company and guide.”	30 November 2014	Jon Cilliers, Ryan Edwards, Warren Smith, Craig Colquhoun
“Dalu was a wonderful guide and went to a lot of trouble to help us see Striped and Red-chested Flufftail.”	28 December 2014	Penny de Vries, Geoff Kay, and George and Liz Zabanis
“Thank you Dalu for being helpful and friendly!”	8 January 2015	Derek and Kate Brown
“Dalu was fantastic as host. He is friendly and very keen to help. He is willing to do anything to make our stay a good one.”	24 April 2015	Sergio and Fabio Maraschin
“Dalu is a wonderful bird guide who knows this territory like the back of his hand. He took us on so many lovely walks too.”	11 October 2015	Geoff, Cheryl and Penny
“Dalu, we appreciate so much your warm welcome, attention to our needs, [and] your birding expertise.”	16 November 2015	Cuckoo Bird Club
“Dalu, what a super guy – nothing is too much trouble… Dalu knows everything!”	27 November 2015	Graham Snow group, Joan, Lynda, Dan, Stella and Simon
“A wonderful stay and great birding. Dalu first class. We had excellent walks and birding drives.”	6 December 2015	Neill and Wendy Richards
“Wonderful four days attended to by Dalu, so friendly and patient and never tired of helping us to try to find the elusive flufftail.”	9 December 2015	Digby and Rose
“Dalu was great, really friendly and [we] enjoyed his talks and knowledge of the birds.”	9 December 2015	Anrich, Wynand, Lara & Elizmarie
“Ngcobo is an excellent host and a passionate, knowledgeable bird watcher.”	24 December 2015	Wendy and Teigue
“At 16h30 he [Dalu] came and said ‘we must go now, it’s time’. We set up our chairs at the special place, and within 3 minutes we had our first male Striped Flufftail. Over the next hour Dalu showed us many both male and female Striped Flufftails! He laughed ‘they are my chickens’.”	2 January 2016	Dawid Minney
“With Dalu’s help we finally got great views of the Striped Flufftail.”	28 February 2016	Rose and Digby Cyros
“Thank you, Dalu, for all your help. We had a wonderful time, [saw] lots of birds, [and Dalu provided] great companionship.”	28 February 2016	Brian and Barbara Roberts
“Mr Ngcobo is amazing, he knows his story, he knows how to welcome, communicate, [and] treat people of all ages.”	16 April 2016	Women’s Leadership and Training Programme (WLTP)
“Great place and Dalu is an amazing bird guide. He helped us find Drakensberg Rockjumper, African Rail, Red-winged Francolin and Wattled Crane.”	17 July 2016
“Thanks Dalu, we had a great time and got lots of exercise. [We] Especially appreciated your assistance with the birds.”	7 August 2016	Alan and Jeremy Maher
“Dalu, you are the most amazing, accommodating host. Once again you did your utmost to assist us in finding the birds.”	12 September 2016	David & Margie Teyfer
“Thank you, Dalu. You never fail in your enthusiasm to assist us.”	12 September	Brian and Barbara Roberts
“Dalu is a great host and guide.”	29 November 2016	Cherry Buhand
“Thank you, Dalu, what a wonderful place, the Striped Flufftail was a special highlight, but your hospitality and the beauty of this place were the really wonderful!”	13 January 2017	Tim, Russel, Rina and Bernard
“Dalu was a wonderful host and tried his best to get us sightings of Striped Flufftail.”	5 February 2017	Clayton Bume and Meg Taylor
“Thanks for all you hard work Dalu!”	25 March 2017	Jon
“We had the most wonderful and awesome time ever. Mr Ngcobo was even better.”	27 April 2017	Skhumbuzo, Sinazo, Nozipho and Nkanyiso
“Thanks to Dalu for excellent walks and sharing your knowledge.”	13 December 2020	Jen Perkin

Accommodation at Ntsikeni Lodge 

Ntsikeni Lodge offers accommodation within Ntsikeni Nature Reserve at the headwaters of Ntsikeni Vlei. The lodge comprises four open-loft style chalets (one queen bed, two single beds) with en suite bathroom and outside deck. Clean linen and towels are provided with rooms being serviced every other day. Food is stored and prepared at a central, communal hall with gas appliances. The kitchen is fully stocked with cutlery and crockery. The central hall also has a lounge and fireplace where guests can relax and recount the day’s sightings. Electricity is provided by a generator in the evenings. 

The lodge is community-owned and administered – BirdLife South Africa does not take responsibility for accommodation bookings and hosting guests. To make a booking, contact Simon Mbuyiseni Madumela (Ntsikeni Liasson Forum) at +27(0) 67 480 5564, +27(0) 78 505 5724, or +27(0) 72 723 6385. Guests must please be patient when trying to make a booking as reception is poor in the Ntsikeni area. Rates are charged at R600 per chalet per night (not per person). Banking details are Ntsikeni Liaising Society, Standard Bank, Savings Account, Kokstad Branch 050122, Account Number 10128519361.

Visitors must please present proof of payment for their accommodation upon arrival. 

BirdLife South Africa Staff