Umlalazi Nature Reserve Travel Guide: Top Sights in South africa,

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Umlalazi Nature Reserve- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Natural Scenery; South Africa; 5 Reviews

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Suggested Duration: 3 hours

Umlalazi Nature Reserve, established in 1948 and covering 10.28 square kilometers near Mtunzini on South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal North Coast, protects a unique coastal ecosystem that includes dune forests, mangrove swamps, and lagoons. The reserve is notable for being home to the palm-nut vulture, one of the country's rarest birds of prey. Visitors can explore three distinct trails featuring diverse habitats where sightings of bushpig, bushbuck, and various duiker species are possible, alongside abundant birdlife, fiddler crabs, and mud-skippers. Some lagoons within the reserve also support crocodiles, adding to the area's ecological complexity.

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Reviews of Umlalazi Nature Reserve

Franki Gili

4
Reviewed: 2025-04-10

This is a beautiful place to get away from the busy city. It's relatively clean, with so much to do, from trails, to beach access, to educational boards posted around the reserve, braai areas and so much more. Red duiker, zebra and tons of critters and birds. Its a big reserve too, so you have choice in activities and where to spend your time. Entrance was R60 per person and the vehicle is checked on exiting.
Loren Goslin (Schutte)

3
Reviewed: 2024-09-22

The reason for the 3 star 🌟 is because Ezemvelo could do better. The ablutions are disgusting particularly at the entrance. I wonder what the staff do all day. As for the reserve itself what a beautiful place, prolific birdlife, creatures great and small abound just being in sure a beautiful place is an amazing experience from grasslands, to shady trees for picnics (if you can fight off the monkeys) human problem not monkey problem, to beach and lagoon. Gorgeous. If the park could be kept in good order by its warders/keepers then it would get a 5 on my rating. Oh and leave your alcohol and music at home please.
Ntombifuthi Nzimande

4
Reviewed: 2022-12-28

A beautiful place all-round. But wow, the way the log cabins are structured brings no fresh breeze whatsoever. A fan would definitely do to keep things easy and cool.
Moz Du R

5
Reviewed: 2021-11-10

R35 per person to go into the park. Worth every cent. Good clean facilities. For a fun half day: 1. Go to the main Beach and dip your feet. ( beware this beach does not have lifeguards...do not swim). 2. Head to the lagoon and take a walk on the mangrove boardwalk. We saw monkeys and the curious fiddler crabs. 3. Unpack your picnic or braai stuff at the lagoon while the more active in the group head along the Forrest walk in the direction of the the river mouth. Alovely half day activity.
Timothy Ellis

5
Reviewed: 2021-07-03

Umlalazi Nature reserve offer the family a wonderful experience. Picnic sites are nestled in bushy surroundings, generously spaced to offer great privacy. The estuary has a wonderful mangrove walk, with stunning views of the river. The beach has an expansive sandy area with unprotected, but wonderful swimming. The beach parking is expansive and there are many public ablution facilities. For such a reasonable entrance fee, this is a great option.