Weenen Game Reserve was established in 1975 and is 5000ha in extent. This area of attractive, undulating thronveld is a valuable addition to the nature conservation areas of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
Accommodation:
Cottage:
There is one five-bedded, fully self-contained cottage with braai (barbeque) facilities and an exclusive picnic site at a waterhole.
Nyandu Tented Camp:
This environmental camp accommodates up to 50 children or 20 adults. The camp has cooking facilities, hot and cold showers and flush toilets. Campers need to bring their own crockery, cutlery, pots, cooking utensils and bedding.
Campsites:
There are 12 camping/caravan sites available near the entrance gate to the reserve. The campsite is served by an ablution block with hot and cold water. There is a bath and shower in the ladies section and showers only in the mens. The toilets are designed for use by visitors in wheelchairs. A concrete slab next to each campsite may be used for braai (barbeque) purposes, but visitors must provide their own charcoal and firewood. Firewood may be bought at reception. The village of Weenen, only 8km away, has a general dealer store, garage and tearoom.
Activities:
Game-viewing:
There are 30km of tourist roads avaialble for visitors to view a wide variety of game. Species include both black and white rhino, giraffe, kudu, hartebeest, eland, zebra, ostrich and common reedbuck. Species such as grey duiker, bushbuck, steenbuck, blakc-backed jackal, hyeana and mountain reedbuck have recolonised in the area on their own. Approximately 250 species of birds have been recorded in the area. A game-viewing hide is available at one of the many waterholes in the reserve. Many species of mammals and a variety of water fowl can be viewed from here.
Picnics:
Three picnic sites have been established. All sites have braai (barbeque) facilities. One of the sites overlooks the Bushman’s River valley.
Self-guided trails:
- The iMpofu Trail (2km) starts at the campsite and leads through an area of open savannah thronveld, past a small dam to a rocky area overlooking a section of the reserve;
- The Beacon View Trail (3km) leads from Umbunizini picnic site in the direction of Weenen towards a beacon point which commands a magnificent view of both the reserve and the farmlands of the Weenen valley;
- The reserve also offers a self-guided auto trails for which a brochure may be obtained at the gate. There is also a 4×4 self-drive trail available.
