The Swamp Nature Reserve, KwaZulu Natal (original) (raw)

Lying really close to Pevensey in the southern reaches of the Drakensberg, the Swamp Nature Reserve is situated almost due west of Garden Castle Nature Reserve and, as its name suggests, it protects a huge highland swamp system.

Did you know? The rare wattled crane can be found in the Swamp Nature Reserve.

The highlands are formed by the Drakensberg / uKhahlamba and Maloti Mountain ranges that form a high dissected plateau roughly 2 500 metres above sea level with towering peaks and narrow, steep-sided river valleys.

There is very little written about the Swamp Nature Reserve, possibly because the reserve has no facilities. It lies close to the Himeville Nature Reserve. Both of these reserves lie outside of the main skeleton of the Drakensberg ridge of mountains closer to Bulwer, and the Swamp Nature Reserve, which attracts a wide variety of water fowl and is well worth the visit because of this, forms the tip of a triangle with the twin villages of Himeville and Underberg. No doubt the views from here are pretty spectacular.

Nevertheless, the Swamp Nature Reserve, together with the other smaller reserves - Himeville Nature Reserve and the Impendle Nature Reserve � both of which lie nearby � are worth a visit and should not be overlooked.

Impendle is a welcome surprise because of the presence of the highly endangered blue swallow and Cape parrot. It protects mistbelt grassland and mistbelt forest � unique ecozones that are critical to the furture of the blue swallow, of which only 80 odd pairs survive in South Africa.

Add the rare wattled crane, found in the Swamp Nature Reserve, and the value of the smaller, but no less important, reserves becomes evident.

Need to Know

WhereThe Swamp Nature Reserve, +/- 18 km from Himeville, Southern Drakensberg, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

WhenDaylight hours.

Telephone+27 (0)33 845-1000

OvernightStay in Drakensberg Accommodation, KwaZulu Natal

Disclaimer

Please note, business details can change. While we endeavour to ensure all information provided by the service provider is correct at the time of publication, we do not assume any liability caused by errors or changes, such as price, cost, time, and location. Please check with the provider that the activity/business is still offered as described, before making any travel plans.

Feedback?

If this is your reserve, you can let us know if anything on this page is outdated or contains inaccuracies, by email. We regret, we do not have any other information, please contact the provider if you have questions.

Game & Nature Reserves in KwaZulu Natal

In the vicinity

Hotels & other accommodation options in Drakensberg

Self Catering

Meadow Lane Country Cottages

Meadow Lane Country Cottages offer tranquil accommodation in a park-like setting. Five self catering cottages are surrounded by gorgeous old tree...

Self Catering

House at Glengariff

Situated on a working farm 20kms from Underberg, House at Glengariff is a gracious sandstone farmhouse available for accommodation for up to 12 g...

Self Catering

Pin Oak Cottage

Pin Oak Cottage is a self catering holiday house in Underberg in the Drakensberg. The house sleeps ten guests in four bedrooms. The main house ha...

Self Catering

Ondini Cottage

Ondini Cottage offers Underberg accommodation in an off-the-grid self-catering home that is nestled deep in the Drakensberg mountains. Enjoy this...

Self Catering

J&B Lodge

Situated 1km outside of Underberg on the Kokstad road you will find J&B Lodge, a quaint self catering unit. This lovely one bedroom cottage boast...

Self Catering

Fairways Heartwood Mountain Cottage

Fairways - Heartwood Mountain Cottage offers comfortable accommodation at the Drakensberg Gardens Resort and is just 30km from Underberg. The res...

Hotel

Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa Resort

Nestled in the heart of the Southern Drakensberg, on a scenic 860 acre World Heritage site, rests the magnificent Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Spa ...

Self Catering

Penwarn Manor

Penwarn Manor is rustic yet modern, offering accommodation in Underberg on Penwarn Farm Lodge just 25km from the quaint town. As you drive down t...

Self Catering

Drakensberg Gardens Camping

Boasting breathtaking views of an awe inspiring mountain range, the Resort is a one of kind retreat for guests to rekindle, relax and unwind. Wit...

Things to do in the area

Family Entertainment

Drakensberg Canopy Tour

Drakensberg accommodation is always special because it promises a place to stay in some of South Africa�s most spectacular countryside. The area ...

Fishing

Fly Fishing at Penwarn

Imagine the early morning mist lifting off a berg river, the trout rising. Penwarn is a premier fishing location with seven dams (one is two kilo...

Horse Riding

Khotso Horse Trails

Horse riding trails take off at 9.00am daily for either a full day, or 1 to 3 hours, into the foothills of the Drakensberg. We schedule rides acc...

Art Galleries

Visit The Underberg Studio

The Underberg Studio is situated in the picturesque farming village of Himeville at the foot of the Southern Drakensberg. Here you will find the ...

Caf�s & Eateries

The Old Hatchery Restaurant

You have chosen to come to the most beautiful part of the Drakensberg in KwaZulu Natal. There is nothing quite like Southern Berg hospitality. Ou...

Birding

Sani Pass Birding

Birding Tours up the Sani Pass or in the surrounding Forest Mist belt areas for specials such as Drakensberg Rockjumper, Drakensberg Siskins, Cap...

Cycling

Sani Spoors

Sani Spoors is mountain biking heaven. Situated in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg, only 4km from the country village of Underberg, the...

4x4 Trails

Sani Pass 4x4 Trail

The Drakensberg Mountain Range is nothing short of spectacular, and is undoubtedly best enjoyed at a restful pace. The Sani Pass 4 x 4 Trail is a...

Hiking Trails

Giant's Castle Hikes

Giant's Castle refers both to the landmark rock massif in the central Drakensberg, where it rests in amongst the peaks of Champagne Castle and Ca...

Noteworthy attractions

Nature Reserves

Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve

Lying virtually at the foot of the rugged Spioenkop Mountain, the dam was the site of one of the most bloody battles to ensue during the Anglo-Bo...

National Parks

Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandsto...

Mountain Reserves

Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve

The Cathedral Peak Nature Reserve, with its numerous free standing peaks and magnificent mountain scenery, is one of the most favoured parts of t...

Mountain Reserves

Cobham State Forest

Cobham is situated in the Southern part of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park, and is approximately 150 km from Pietermaritzburg. Dominated by Hodgs...

Mountain Reserves

Garden Castle State Forest

Garden Castle is the southern most part of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park and incorporates the Bushman's Nek Valley. The Garden Castle reserve i...

Mountain Reserves

Giant's Castle Nature Reserve

Historic Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, home of the eland and the majestic bearded vulture, lies in the Central Drakensberg region of the Ukhahla...

Lakes / Dams

Himeville Nature Reserve

The Himeville Nature Reserve stretches along the eastern boundary of Himeville Village and was proclaimed to its present size of 104 ha in 1973. ...

Nature Reserves

Kamberg Nature Reserve

Kamberg Nature Reserve, one of the smallest of the KZN Wildlife resorts, lies in the foothills of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park - one of the ea...

Nature Reserves

Lotheni Nature Reserve

Noted for its magnificent scenery and beautiful camp, Lotheni is situated in a remote section of the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park. Many delightful...

Accommodation near The Swamp Nature Reserve

FIND / South Africa Accommodation / KwaZulu Natal Accommodation / Drakensberg Accommodation

Drakensberg as a destination

SA-Venues.com® has been assisting travellers with their South Africa travel plans since 1999, and is the largest, independent online travel guide for South Africa available in both English and German.