The Amalinda nature reserve was established in 1968, and covers an area of one hundred and thirty four hectares of land, which surrounds the Amalinda reservoir. The reserve which lies situated nine kilometers from the East London City centre, is managed by Eastern Cape Nature conservation. The Amalinda Nature Reserve consists largely of coastal forest and thornveld which is characterised by grass covered slopes with scattered clumps of shrubs and trees and dense forest along the valley floors. A large reservoir features in the centre of the reserve, which is fed by several small streams.

The Amalinda Nature Reserve supports a variety of wildlife which includes Common Reedbuck, Eland, Blesbok , Zebra. Bushbuck, duiker, cape clawless otter, vervet monkeys and mongoose. The reserve serves as a decent bird watching destination, with a total of one hundred and seventy five various species to be sighted. Bird to be found at the Amalinda Nature Reserve include Yellow-billed Duck, Red-billed Teal, both Lesser Swamp-Warbler and Little Rush-Warbler , Levaillant's Cisticola ,Blacksmith Lapwing, Reed Cormorant, African Darter, White-faced Duck, Cape Longclaw, Plain-backed Pipit and African Pipit, Tawny-flanked Prinia, Lazy Cisticola and Wailing Cisticola,Giant Kingfisher and occasional sightings of African Fish-Eagle to name a few.