Northern Drakensberg gains new nature reserve
KZN’s scenic Northern Drakensberg region is now home to the new Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve. Here are the details…
A new 6 500ha nature reserve now calls Northern Drakensberg home, connecting the adjacent uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park in KZN to the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve in the Free State.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the new Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve will be managed by the Northern Drakensberg Landowners Association under a 10-year protected area management plan which is a legal requirement of the declaration.
This plan details the development and operational goals required to ensure that the nature reserve is effectively managed in the way it was intended – to benefit people and nature.
Thembanani Nsibande, Grasslands Manager for WWF South Africa, said that a nature reserve of this collective size only contributes to South Africa’s protected area expansion network and it makes them even more inspired to see the level of shared conservation ambition and commitment.
“As WWF, we are committed to support protected area expansion initiatives within this region working with our partners such as Conservation Outcomes and willing landowners.” Nsibande said.
What the new Drakensberg reserve offers
The new reserve is made up of 19 properties owned by 11 private landowners who “saw the value of protecting their land in perpetuity and contributing towards securing the country’s poorly protected grassland biome and strategic water source areas.” WWF says.
The reserve already includes a number of established resorts which have been welcoming vistors for many decades, with guests coming to take in the Drakensberg region’s incredible natural wonders, mountain peaks and lush, green valleys.
Take a look at what the beautiful region offers below:
