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Mahushe Shongwe Game Reserve
MAhushe Shongwe Game Reserve covers an area of 1 100 hectares on communal lands owned by the Matsamo Community close to the border with Swaziland. This small loweld reserve is situated close to Mzinti Village, south of Malelane, and is less than two hours drive from Nelspruit.
The topography at Mahushe Shongwe is gently undulating, with various species of acacia-including Knobthorn, Redthorn and Bushwillow on level ground. The seasonal Mzinti river, and smaller watercourses are lined with impressive Jackalberry, Tree Fuschia and Sycamore Fig. The pungent aroma of the scrambling Potatobush is a feature of riverine thickets during dry season.
Several species of large herbivore have been reintroduced to the reserve with Kudu, Waterbuck, Impala and Burchell's Zebra being commonly seen. A large number of Nyala - the males most impressive with their shaggy coasts and spiral hourns - are present, keeping mostly to the thicker growth along watercourses. Warthog are abundant, often being disturbed from roadside mud wallows, while cheeky Vervet Monkeys keep watch from the tree tops. No large predators occur, but the Blackbacked Jackal, African Civet, Banded Mongoose and Largespotted Genet are among the common smaller carnivores.
Despite its small size, Mahushe Shongwe boasts a very rich avifauna, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers. Species more typical of Zululand which may be seen include the tiny Pinkhroated Twinspot and the elusive Yellowspotted Nicator, while Purplecrested Lourie, Gorgeous Bushshrike,Scarletchested Sunbird and Woodland Kingfisher add a splash of colour whenever they appear. Nocturnal birds are many and the calls of Scops, Pearlspotted, Whitefaced, Barn and Gaint Eagle Owls are frequently heard around the capfire after dark. Wahlberg's Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, Lizard Buzzard and Little Sparrowhawk are among the more frequently encountered birds of prey.
Activities
Visitors to Mahushe Shongwe are given the opportunity of exploring the reserve in game drives in open 4x4 vehicles or on guided bush walks. Night-drives may be conducted on request. Organised groups from bird clubs and other societies may obtain permission to walk around themselves.
Accommodation
The self-catering Mthomeni Tented Camp is set among giant Jackalberry trees on the edge of the Mzinti watercourse.
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