Ntsikeni
Nature Reserve is located between the small towns of Creighton and
Franklin in the south of KwaZulu-Natal, not far from the Eastern
Province border. It covers an area of 9,200ha which contains one of
the largest high altitude Ramsar wetlands in South Africa – roughly
1,800m above sea level.
The
Reserve is characterized by beautiful scenery including the wetland
itself as well as surrounding mountains such as Mangeni, Tsawule,
Elephant Hill and Ntsikeni Mountain.
The
name “Ntsikeni” originates from the Ntsikeni Mountain on the
eastern boundary of the nature reserve, which is called “iNtsikeni”
by the local people. The word “intsika” means the pillar,
referring to the roof support structure found in most of the
traditional huts (rondawels) in the surrounding area. Ntsikeni
mountain has a rondawel-like shape and stands out as the highest
point in the landscape (2,214.9m above sea level), has derived its
name from the “intsika”.
Ntsikeni
Nature Reserve was established on 1 September 1978, at the time part
of the former Transkei homeland, as a result of the importance of the
wetland. The wetland is situated on the Lubhukwini River, which
arises at an altitude of 2,011m above sea level within the nature
reserve and eventually flows into the Ngwagwane River.
Ntsikeni
Nature Reserve falls within South Africa’s summer rainfall region
with an average rainfall of more than 900mm per year. Temperatures
range from well below freezing point to an average maximum of about
18 ˚C. The Officer In Charge told us it is the coldest place in SA
where he has been.
How
to get there
There
is only one access road into the reserve. Directions are not clearly
indicated along the gravel road linking Creighton and Franklin. The
road passes through numerous small villages. Eventually, about 12km
outside the Ntsikeni village towards Franklin, there is a turn-off
into a commercial forestry plantation.
The access road through the plantation is not in a very good condition. It is advisable to use a 4x4 vehicle, especially during the rainy season.
This
road takes you up the mountains, through the plantation for 10km
where you will reach the reserve’s entrance gate. Before entering,
you need to sign a register and indemnity forms.
Although this is a huge wetland covering almost a quarter of the reserve, not much surface water is visible as the wetland is mainly grasslands wetland flat.
Ownership
and Management
There
was virtually no active management or control on the reserve prior to
1996 when the Eastern Cape government opened an office in the region
and staffed the reserve with a qualified Nature Conservator. At this
time several thousand head of livestock grazed the reserve and more
than 200 people lived illegally in 96 homesteads spread throughout
the reserve. In 1999 and 2000 all inhabitants voluntarily vacated
Ntsikeni Nature Reserve and were relocated outside of it.
In
2003 an application to have Ntsikeni proclaimed as the Eastern Cape’s
first Ramsar site was started. The Ntsikeni Nature Reserve was
recognised as being part of the statutory protected area network
within the Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Project. This lead to the
upgrading of the road network and for the establishment of lodges and
a horse and hiking trail in 2005.
On
1 April 2006 the Mzimkhulu district was transferred from the Eastern
Cape Province to the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. The management of
Ntsikeni Nature Reserve then became the responsibility of Ezemvelo
KZN Wildlife.
It
is sad to say that Ntsikeni Nature Reserve is severely under-funded
with one of the smallest annual budgets for a nature reserve in the
KZN province. The reserve is also under-staffed with shortcomings in
key positions. Sub-standard housing, office facilities, equipment and
the lack of basic services, power and communications have hampered
efforts to manage the reserve and to properly patrol and undertake
effective law enforcement within the reserve and on its boundaries.
This led to too frequent and extensive fires which are likely to
result in ecological degradation of the nature reserve and threats to
key species such as Wattled Cranes.
When
and why Ramsar
Ntsikeni
Nature Reserve received its Ramsar Wetland status on 2 Feb 2010. The
wetland, which is one of the largest high altitude wetlands, is in
good condition, as is its catchment, which is also entirely protected
within the Nature Reserve. It plays an important ecological role in
water storage and water flow regulation in the Ngwagwane and
Umzimkhulu River systems.
Ntsikeni Nature Reserve is recognised as the second most important breeding site after Umgeni Vlei for the Wattled Crane in South Africa. It is also an important habitat for the endangered Long-toed Tree Frog, Oribi antelope, and other wetland dependent mammals.
Ntsikeni Nature Reserve is recognised as the second most important breeding site after Umgeni Vlei for the Wattled Crane in South Africa. It is also an important habitat for the endangered Long-toed Tree Frog, Oribi antelope, and other wetland dependent mammals.
Fauna
& Flora
Mammal
species favouring the wetland habitat of the Ntsikeni Nature Reserve
include the Southern Reedbuck and Cape Clawless Otter. Oribi
antelope, Mountain Reedbuck, Grey Rhebok and Grey Duiker also occur
within the nature reserve, although uncontrolled hunting in the past
has led to a depletion of their numbers.
In 2008 Black Wildebeest and Blesbok were re-located from Coleford Nature Reserve to Ntsikeni Nature Reserve, in efforts to bolster the numbers and variety of the nature reserve’s game species. Black Wildebeest are an important endemic South African species. It clearly was a success because we saw large numbers of Black Wildebeest and Blesbok all along the road through the reserve.
Wattled Cranes and Crown cranes breed here. We also saw Secretary birds, but according to info from Birdlife SA, there are many more species to be seen. On the mountain slopes of the nature reserve, a roosting colony of Cape Vultures exists and a pair of the endangered Bearded Vulture regularly nests in the nature reserve.
Threats
With
a limited annual budget and restricted staff numbers, there are
several challenges facing the management of Ntsikeni Nature Reserve.
The
commercial afforestation activities occurring outside of its borders
are a major source of alien invasive species. Many alien trees,
Wattle and Bluegum, are being removed from the reserve. This is a
huge task and one cannot but wonder if the battle will be won at the
current rate of removal.Poaching by neighboring communities remains a challenge, as does uncontrolled fires.
All
of these threats will require more resources to combat it
successfully.
Job
and skills development
A
large proportion of the population in Umzimkhulu where Ntsikeni
Nature Reserve is located, has low levels to no education at all. As
a result there is a lack of skills in the region and income levels
tend to be very low. A large proportion of households are dependent
on social services and government grants. As a result of this, the
focus of investment efforts in Umzimkhulu is on the improvement of
schools, service infrastructure and roads, which are seen as a major
impediment to economic development in the region.
In
efforts to alleviate poverty in the region, one of the focuses for
local economic development is growth of the tourism sector. Ntsikeni
Nature Reserve is considered to be an integral component in the
growth of this sector.
Tourism
Not
far from the entrance gate, next to the road through the reserve, is
May Lodge. It is designed for groups such as schools or small
conferences and offers a communal kitchen, a conference/dining room,
three dormitory-style rondawels each sleeping four, a communal
ablutions block, two en-suite rondawels, and a diesel generator which
provides electricity for the lodge. At the time of our visit, May
Lodge was not operational, probably due to a lack of funds, proper
marketing, and effective management.
Ntsikeni
Lodge is situated on the northern border of the reserve about 12km
from the entrance gate. It provides more exclusive and upmarket
accommodation and comprises of a communal kitchen and entertainment
area, four double en-suite chalets, and a diesel generator which
provides electricity for the lodge. It is managed on a concession
basis by Button Birding, an experienced tour operator from Creighton.
With endless grasslands and prolific flowers in season, adventurous hikers frequent the reserve to explore the surrounding ring of hills which harbor impressive rock faces, chimneys, cracks and caves.
Other
tourism activities in Ntsikeni Nature Reserve include the following:
-
The reserve is a key site on the Sisonke Birding Route
-
A mobile bird hide, specifically to view the vulture colonies, is available
-
The reserve is included as an overnight stop on the Sisonke District
-
Route for the “Freedom Mountainbike Trail ”
Management
has plans to increase the marketing and resulting tourism activities
of Ntsikeni
Nature Reserve. I am hopeful and optimistic that this will
materialize soon.
Date
of visit: 10 March 2016
Contact
information:
Ezemvelo
KZN Wildlife
Internet:
Telephone:
+27(0)33 845-1000