The 5 657-hectare UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve was officially declared a nature reserve on 3 October 2024, creating yet another link in KZN’s expanding protected area network.

With the Northern Drakensberg as a backdrop, the newly declared UmPhafa Nature Reserve lies close to the town of Colenso and forms part of a conservation corridor between Spioenkop Nature Reserve to the west and Tugela Drift and Weenen nature reserves to the southeast, with the N3 freeway as its western boundary.

UmPhafa Nature Reserve also lies within one of Southern Africa’s largest drainage basins, the uThukela River which flows eastwards into the Indian Ocean. Through the conservation of its natural veld, the reserve contributes towards water security for neighbouring agricultural and downstream communities.

This scenic, mountainous reserve is made up predominantly of KZN Highland Thornveld which typifies the landscape within this inland region of the province. The reserve contributes close to 9% of the province’s conservation target for this iconic vegetation type.

Known for its environmental education, wildlife research and voluntourism internship opportunities, UmPhafa works with endangered species and contributes towards the understanding of ecological and natural processes. It also protects important cultural sites within an important Battlefields region of KZN and has the potential to provide employment opportunities for local communities.

Owned by Colchester Zoo South Africa, it is managed by the UmPhafa Conservation Trust. Work to finalise the declaration was carried out by Conservation Outcomes with financial support from WWF South Africa.

Commenting on the declaration, Rebecca Moore, Zoological Director, Colchester Zoo in the United Kingdom, said: “This is an incredibly exciting time for the whole team working on UmPhafa! Having been involved with the reserve for the past 20 years, this is a wonderful achievement and a culmination of many years of work. The formal declaration as a protected area highlights the true value of the reserve and the work the team do managing the reserve, ensuring we continue to make an important contribution to KwaZulu-Natal and South Africa’s protected area network and biodiversity targets. We are grateful to Conservation Outcomes and WWF for their support in helping us to achieve this milestone and are excited to see the developments on UmPhafa in the future.”

Cilla Hilcove, KZN Conservation Stewardship Coordinator with Conservation Outcomes, said: “UmPhafa Private Nature Reserve is a significant asset for conservation in KwaZulu-Natal, playing an important role in protecting biodiversity and promoting conservation research. Conservation Outcomes is proud to have been a part of this declaration process and could not have done so without the support from WWF.”