Only a short distance from The Midlands, discover the Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve; a commitment to community development and socio-economic upliftment with fabulous places to stay, relax, and enjoy nature right on your doorstep.
In 2018, a few neighbours in the Putterill Valley came up with a dream of combining their properties into a joint nature reserve. That dream evolved from an idea to a plan, and finally, as of the 18th of April 2024, a reality. Comprising 6,500 hectares, the Northern Drakensberg Nature Reserve (NDNR) is KwaZulu-Natal’s newest nature reserve, with The Cavern, Montusi Mountain Lodge, and Sungubala Eco Camp as founding members, marking a significant conservation achievement across southern Africa.
The establishment of the NDNR is a truly collaborative effort, representing the sweat and toil of various actors, ranging from small private landowners all the way to the World Wildlife Fund. It also represents a giant leap ahead in the consolidation of various tracts of the Drakensberg into a single conservation corridor, linking Sterkfontein Nature Reserve in the Free State with the Maloti-Drakensberg Park in KwaZulu-Natal, the latter also being a World Heritage Site.
The NDNR has four primary objectives; conserve animal species and habitats, enhance regional water security, preserve the area’s rich cultural heritage, and to further socio-economic upliftment in the local community.
On the conservation front, the NDNR is home to several species of antelope, including the majestic Eland, as well as other mammals, a rich diversity of bird life (including the extremely rare bearded vulture), and predators like the spotted hyena and the elusive leopard. The story of the region’s Eland population is particularly symbolic. The “last Eland” in the area was supposedly shot in the late 1940s because the old bull had become a nuisance on the nearby Tugela Gorge walking path. Years later, the species was reintroduced in the Sterkfontein Nature Reserve and has since made a steady recovery. Today, free-roaming herds of over 150 Eland can be seen in the NDNR. That is the power of conservation. It is also the reason the members of the NDNR chose this majestic creature as the reserve’s logo, inspired by the original bushman painting of an Eland found in Cannibal Cavern, situated within the reserve. The painting itself, like the bushman culture that produced it, has unfortunately faded away over time. As it does so, it reminds us of the importance of preserving and conserving.
The reserve encompasses sweeping mountain ranges (in fact, it is one of the largest Mountain Protected Areas in southern Africa), lush grasslands, crystal-clear streams, and rivers. Grasslands across South Africa are under threat, with fewer than 3% of grassland biomes in the country currently being under formal conservation. These grasslands are vital for biodiversity and also serve to absorb the high levels of rainfall that the eastern part of South Africa enjoys. The Drakensberg region is the primary source of water in southern Africa, making conservation of this precious resource crucial for the continent’s habitability. The NDNR aims to place an emphasis on water security, as most of the water which flows through the reserve eventually feeds the Tugela River, the vein of KwaZulu-Natal, carrying life to millions of people across the province.
Unique to the NDNR is its fusion of natural beauty and conservation goals with its rich historical and cultural significance. Ancient human settlement in the area is evinced by bushman rock art to be found within the NDNR. Although some Drakensberg rock art is modern (dating only back to the 19th century), there is also rock art in the region which dates back over 3000 years. Conserving this space therefore also entails conserving one of South Africa’s (and the world’s) rich sources of ancient art and spirituality.
As a major tourist destination in the area, members of the NDNR constitute key actors in employment and socio-economic upliftment for an otherwise poor part of the country. Members of the local community can look forward not only to jobs and incomes but also to being part of a collaborative conservation initiative, having the opportunity to provide input which will filter into the management and running of the reserve itself. Their three accommodation offerings within this area include The Cavern, Montusi Mountain Lodge, and Sungubala Eco Camp, all of which enhance the local community and attract visitors from near and far.
Like the dirt roads of the Northern Drakensberg, the road ahead for the NDNR also has its bumps and potholes. Poaching of game (especially of species recognised as endangered) poses a major challenge, as does arson, soil erosion, and alien vegetation control. However, as with those testy dirt tracks, with enough determination the destination can still be reached. And what is that destination? The preservation of the natural, cultural, and economic resources in this pristine part of the country in perpetuity, not only for the enjoyment and upliftment of ourselves but for all generations to come.
Words: Liam King