Gonubie Nature Reserve- Travel Tips

What to See, How to Plan & Tours

Gonubie Nature Reserve is a coastal wetland sanctuary located at the confluence of the Gqunube (Gonubie) River and the Indian Ocean, about 20 km northeast of East London in South Africa's Eastern Cape. Established in 1955, the reserve protects wetlands and surrounding estuarine vegetation that support more than 130–160 bird species, including Grey Crowned Cranes, kingfishers, water thick-knees, Knysna Woodpeckers, Narina Trogons, and White‑backed Night Herons. Trails wind through reed beds to a bird hide overlooking open water, and a small interpretive centre offers species checklists and local history. The reserve forms part of the broader East London Coast Nature Reserve network, which encompasses coastal forests, estuaries, and dune systems stretching along the Sunshine Coast. Its mix of riverine forest, tidal wetlands, and ocean frontage provides seasonal habitat for marine life—whales and dolphins are often seen offshore from June to November—and links directly with the Strandloper Hiking Trail that extends northward toward Kwelera and Cape Morgan.