Ndumo Game Reserve is a 10 117 ha game reserve that is located in the KwaZulu-Natal’s Maputaland region and is situated on the border of Mozambique where the Pongola River and the Great Usutu River join.

Ndumo Game Reserve is adjacent to the Tembe Elephant Park and is relatively remote. being over 400 km from Durban and at least 110 km away from Mkuze.

Ndumo hosts a diverse range of habitats including sand forest. dense riverine forest. floodplains. alluvial plains. reedbeds. grassland. broad-leaved and acacia woodlands and extremely dense thornveld.
Ndumo is popular for its birdlife and despite its small size. the reserve has recorded in excess of 430 bird species including residents and seasonal migrants. The park’s abundance of pans. floodplains and rivers (Pongola & Usutu) provide suitable habitat for many aquatic species. The Maputaland area. in general. is relatively rich in birdlife due to ecosystem diversity as well as its geographical location: the area forms the southernmost range for a great many eastern and north-eastern African bird species. The area receives a high annual rainfall.

A short list of sought-after bird species resident to Ndumo:

Pel’s fishing owl
Narina trogon
African broadbill
Eastern nicator (formerly “yellow-spotted nicator” but this name is now given to another bird. the western nicator)
African cuckoo-hawk
Large mammals found in Ndumo include nyala. hippopotamus. Nile crocodile. impala and Cape buffalo. Big cats are absent from the park. Elephants are prolific at the neighboring Tembe Elephant Park.

As with all parts of Maputaland, malaria is endemic and visitors are advised to take the proper precautions.

On arrival all visitors to the Ndumo Game Reserve, whether day or overnight visitors will be levied.

Office hours are 08:00- 12:00 and 13:00- 16:00 daily.
Overnight visitors must report to the reception office by 15:30 on their arrival date and all visitors wishing to stay overnight are strongly advised to obtain a confirmed reservation for accommodations before arrival.

There is no restaurant at Ndumo and guests need to provide and cook their own food. Beers, wine, ice cream, basic foods and cold drinks are on sale at the Curio Shop. The closest fuel station is approximately 2 kilometers from the entrance to Ndumo Game Reserve.

Important Notes
Hats and torches are advisable.
Ndumo falls within the endemic malaria area and all visitors are urged to take the necessary precautions. Bilharzia is also present in the area so swimming or drinking from rivers is not recommended.
The speed limit throughout the reserve is 40 km/h
Pets and domestic animals are not permitted within the reserve
Littering is an offense and offenders will be prosecuted
It is an offense to pick or damage any plant or disturb or kill any animal within Ndumo Game Reserve
Portable radios should be played with great discretion and kept as low as possible
Guests are not permitted to proceed along roads where “No Entry” signs have been erected
You may leave your vehicle in the precincts of the rest camp, game viewing hides, designated picnic areas, or in the event of mechanical breakdown.
The lighting of fires is only permitted in proper fireplaces. Please also extinguish cigarettes properly and place them in the proper receptacles. Do not throw them out of windows while driving.
All firearms must be declared on arrival
The entrance gate is closed from sunset to sunrise and is open during the following hours
Summer 05: 00- 19:00 (October- 31 March)
Winter 06:00- 18:00 (1 April- 30 September)

Directions to Ndumo Game Reserve
From the north or south follow the N2 and turn off at Jozini.
Go through the town and across the dam wall then follow the road until you see the Ndumo signposts.
GPS Co-Ordinates

32d18’48.85″E 26d54’32.48″S

Ndumo Accommodation
The resort consists of seven 2-bedded rest huts, each equipped with a hand basin, hot and cold water, and refrigerator.
Bedding, cutlery, and crockery are provided.
The resort is served by a communal kitchen and ablution block with hot and cold water.
The resort is equipped with Eskom electricity.
Guests are requested to prepare their own meals.
Check-in: 14h00
Check out: 10h00

Activities at Ndumo Game Reserve
Whilst the reserve is best known for its magnificent bird life, game viewing can also be most rewarding.
Species such as hippopotamus, crocodile, nyala, bushbuck, buffalo, impala, giraffe, suni grey and red duiker can also be seen.
Bird life in the reserve is prolific and many tropical East African forms are found here at the Southern limit of their range.
There is also a wealth of aquatic bird life on the many pans within the reserve and noteworthy examples of the birds to be seen here are black egret, pygmy geese, white-faced ducks, crested guineafowl, jacanas and pel’s fishing owls.
Fish eagles are ubiquitous and their call accompanies visitors on their game and bird viewing drives.
The large population of crocodiles is a particular feature of this reserve and the area is one of the unusual interest to entomologists.
Visitors may drive through certain areas of the reserve in their own cars, or participate in open vehicle drives to interesting areas in the company of an experienced tour guide.
Depending on the demand, morning and afternoon tours are conducted and arrangements to participate in these tours are made at the reception office during office hours.
For the more energetic, day walks in the reserve may be taken in the company of a field guide and bookings must be made at the reception office the day before the intended walk.