African Reservations

Mkuze is a small Elephant Coast trade- and transport centre. It is also the name of one of the Elephant Coast waterways that meanders across the Southern expanse of Maputaland into the St Lucia wetlands. The Mkuze game reserve has an amazing variety of natural habitats: from the Eastern slopes of the Lebombo Mountains along its Eastern boundary, to broad stretches of acacia savannah, swamps and a variety of woodlands and riverine forest. A rare type of sand forest also occurs in the reserve.

Mkuze is a place of beauty and great contrasts. The Mkuze Game Reserve is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers with more than 420 different bird species on record. The Mkuze River curves along the Mkuze Game Reserve's Northern and Eastern borders with a fine stretch of fig forest along its banks. Fish eagles swoop over the pans, snatching prey spotted from their perches in the fever trees.

From the village of Mkuze, it is possible to ponder about the mystery and legend surrounding the jagged heights of Ghost Mountain, previously a historic battle field. This mountain is said to be the tombs of the previous Chiefs of the mountain and, according to legend, it has been the scene of a number of bloody fights. With its dramatic silhouette, in the shape of an old woman or witch head, it is not difficult to understand why the mountain is said to be haunted and to be the theatre of paranormal activities.