The Vryheid Hill Nature Reserve

The Vryheid Hill Nature Reserve is situated on Lancaster Hill, just north of the town of Vryheid in northern Zululand, and is steeped in history, from the Bushmen to the British. The reserve also include the site of the Anglo-Zulu battle of Lancaster hill. There are a number of habitats which exist within the Vryheid Hill Nature Reserve, which include grassland, wetland, mixed woodlands, forest and cliffs. Due to the diversity of these regions, a wide variety of special plants, animals and birds can be found there.

The nine hundred hectare reserve is flanked by the historical town of Vryheid in northern Zululand. There are numerous trails in the reserve which lead visitors through or past all of these ecosystems, providing them with magnificent views of Vryheid and the surrounding area. Some of the wildlife to be found in the reserve include zebra, impala, blesbok, both mountain and common reedbuck, eland, bushbuck and oribi.

There are a large variety of Grassland orchids and wildflowers to be seen on the plateau, and the forest is home to many species of trees and shrubs. The reserve has gained a reputation as an excellent birdwatching destination, with an estimated two hundred and thirty recorded species frequenting the area. Crowned Eagle have been known to breed in the forest which looks over Vryheid, and the reserve includes other interesting birds such as Olive Bush Shrike, Bush Black-cap, Buff-streaked Chat, Buff-spotted Flufftail as well as many species of Pipit and Cisticola.

The site of the Anglo-Zulu war battle of Lancaster Hill, which took place in 1900, is also located within the Vryheid Hill Nature reserve, as well as a memorial grave of an English Lt. Colonel, and a Boer soldier. Numerous rock walls and forts built by the nine hundred English troops who were stationed in the area, are still visible. The British Royal Family paid Lancaster Hill a visit in 1947, and a picture of a ship drawn on a rock by Princess Margaret is still faintly visible.

Accommodation is available at the Ntingonono Environmental Centre. Situated on the edge of the forest, this venue offers visitors ten permanent safari tents, as well as hot and cold showers, a kitchen providing cutlery and crockery and a 100-seat hall.