Harold Johnson Nature reserve is situated on KwaZulu Natal's North coast, six kilometers from the Tugela mouth on the south bank of the river. The reserve was proclaimed in 1967, and covers an area of just over one hundred hectares. Harold Johnson reserve is home to a large and interesting variety of wildlife which includes include crocodile, zebra, bushbuck, impala, blue, red and grey duiker, bushpig,vervet monkey, slender mongoose, white-tailed mongoose, banded mongoose and porcupine. Birdlife is abundant, boasting over two hundred various species, making it the ideal location for bird watching expeditions. Insect life is also flourishing in the reserve, with approximately one hundred and fourteen species of butterfly which frequent the area.

The hundred and four hectare reserve consists mainly of scrubland, valley bushveld, and coastal vegetation along with steep cliffs and gullies, which make this place ideal for a day visit or overnight camps. The reserve has a campaing area which houses six tree covered sites, two of which are for caravans. The caravan sites have power points, and the campsites share cold water taps and braai facilities. The reserve's ablution facilities feature both hot and cold water, toilets, a bath/shower and a dishwashing basin. Situated at the reserve's main picnic site and parking area, visitors will find a cultural museum housed in huts, featuring displays of Zulu beadwork and insights into the culture.

The Harold Johnson Reserve proves to be a good place for hiking, and there are a number of self guided trails which visitors can follow throughout the reserve. One of these trails is the "Muthi" trail, which leads visitors on an educational journey revealing various interesting medicinal plants traditionally used by both the Zulu people and the early white settlers. A booklet on this trail may be purchased at the office.

The reserve is also home to among other things, two national monuments, Fort pearson and the Ultimatum Tree. Fort Pearson is situated on a hill overlooking the Tugela river. The fort was built in 1878 as a result of unrest after Cetshwayo defeated and killed his brother Mbulazi for succession of the Zulu throne. The then Natal government became nervous, and built seven forts along the Tugela river to protect their northern border. One of which, Fort Williamson, was replaced by Fort Pearson. It was from this location that the British forces marched into Zululand at the start of the Anglo-Zulu war. Nothing much remains of Fort Pearson today except from the outer trenches. There is a small picnic area near the site, a stone cairn, a number of plaques and some naval graves.

It was under the Ultimatum Tree, a sycamore fig, that delegates of King Cetshwayo, , were given an ultimatum by the British Government to pay taxes and return stolen cattle by mid January 1879, or there would be war. Part of the ultimatum stated that the Zulus should demobilize their standing army. The British used his non-compliance as an excuse to attack the Zulu forces and crush their independence. The original tree severely damaged by a cyclone in 1987. A photograph of the handing over of the ultimatum, with both parties under the tree, can be seen in the Durban Museum. Today there is steep path linking Fort Pearson to the Ultimatum Tree. Although the area around the tree is fenced off it can still be entered by visitors to read the plaque.