Weenen

Weenen is a small rural town in the Battlefield region of KwaZulu

Weenen is a small rural town established by the Trekkers after avenging the masscre at Bloukrans (nearby). It is the second oldest town in KwaZulu-Natal. The distant blue hills and undulating thornveld valleys of KwaZulu-Natal make a superb backdrop for the scenic Weenen Game Reserve.

In Afrikaans "Weenen" means "weeping" after the defeats suffered by the Voortrekkers at the hands of the Zulus at Bloukrans and Moordspruit. 10kms from Weenen on the Muden road is an isivivane - a large pile of stones six metres in diameter and one metre high. Stones were placed by travellers on the isivivane by picking up the stone with the toes of the left foot, transferring it to the right hand, spitting on it and throwing it on to the pile.

Weenen Museum

The excellent museum (also from 1838) houses a collection of Voortrekker artifacts and was constructed by Voortrekker leader Andries Pretorius whose waterwheel is one of the exhibits. It has previously done service as a magistrates office, post office and a prison. Between 1907 and 1983 a narrow gauge railway connected Weenen with Estcourt and provided an outlet for its produce and was thus called the "Cabbage Express.

In 1838, a town was laid out on the banks of the Bushmans River and named Weenen (‘the place of weeping’) in memory of the massacre of Voortrekkers by the Zulus. Tourism in the Weenen area is burgeoning, due to an interesting mix of game, traditional Zulu arts and crafts and old fashioned hospitality. An eco fair is held annually in March.

GENERAL INFORMATION

How to get there - Estcourt 40 km

Banks – Fnb

Dams – Wagendrift

Mountains – Drakensberg

Rivers - Bushmans

NATURE

Weenen Game / Nature Reserve

Introduction

The Weenen Nature Reserve, 5000 ha in extent, was estbaished in 1975 when this area of attractive, undulating thornveld came under control to the former Natal Parks Board (Kwazulu Natal Nature Conservation Service).

What to do on arrival

Both day visitors and visitors staying at the campsite must report to the office at the entrance gate. An entry fee will be levied.

Accommodation

There are 12 camping / caravan sites available near the entrance gate to the reserve. One site can accommodate four caravans, another accommodates two caravans and the other ten are single caravan sites. Reservations for those sites are accepted up to six calendar months in advance, on the understanding that the two group sites may have to be shared by visitors during busy periods. There is one five bed cottage that is fully self contained, with a braai facility and an exclusive picnic site at a waterhole. 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 men’s section. The toilets are designed for use by visitors in wheelchairs. No plug points facilities are available. The concrete slab next to each campsite may be used for ‘braai’ purposes, but visitors must provide their own grills, charcoal and firewood. No firewood may be collected from the reserve. The village of Weenen, 8 km away, has a butchery, general dealer store, garage and tearoom. There is a small kiosk at the entrance gate where soft drinks and basic groceries are available to the camper and day visitors. A small curio shop is located at the gate. Fire fighter equipment has been provided for use in an emergency.

Reservations

Camping / caravan site and cottage may be reserved up to six months in advance by writing to the Officer in Charge.

Visitor Amenities

30 km of tourist roads have been constructed in the reserve, for visitors to view a wide variety of game. Both black and white rhino, giraffe, kudu, Cape Buffalo, red hartebeest, eland, zebra, klipspringer, ostrich, common reedbuck, and roan antelope have been reintroduced, whilst such species as grey duiker, bushbuck, steenbok, black backed jackal, hyaena and mountain reedbuck have reconlonised the area on their own. Over 251 species of birds have been recorded in the reserve.

Hide and Waterhole

A game viewing hide is available at one of the many waterholes in the reserve, where many species of mammals and a variety of water fowl can be viewed.

Vulture Feeding Site

There is a vulture feeding site that has been established and when carcasses are available offers the visitor the opportunity to view these birds whilst feeding. Three picnic sites have been established, all of which have been equipped with braai facitlies, one of which is a view site.

Self Guided Trails

There are three self guided trails.

1. The iMofu Trail (2 km) starts at the campsite and leads through an area of open savannah thornveld, past a small dam to a rocky area overlooking a section of the reserve.

2. The Beacon View Trail (3 km) leads from the Umtunzini picnic site in the direction of Weenen, to a beacon point which commands a magnificent view of both the reserve and the farmlands of Weenen valley.

3. The Reclamation Tral (2 km) covers an area that has been subjected to reclamation. Structures have been built over the last 20 years to halt erosion. This trail offers the visitor an insight as to how erosion can be successfully contained. Visitors wishing to go on the walking trails must complete an indemnity form at the office prior to departure. The reserve also offers a self guided auto trail for which a broschure may be obtained at the gate.

Guided Trails

Guided trails are offered and visitors must book in advance. These trails are conducted by an experienced guide, and walks are taken throughout the reserve, where viewing of Black rhino and Cape Buffalo are regular. This is an experience well worth partaking in. Maximum eight people per trail and no children under the age of 12. Trails start at 06:00 during the summer months, and 06:30 during the winter months. Each walk lasts between two to three hours depending upon the trailers.

General

No pets are allowed in the reserve. Motorcycles are not permitted in the reserve. Vehicles must remain on the roads, and visitors must stay in their vehicles. All visitors must be out of the reserve, or back in the camping area by sundown. Caravanners and campers may not leave the reserve before the official opening time. No firewood may be collected from within the reserve. Firewood is available from the shop at the gate. No fishing is permitted in the reserve. Visits to the reserve are entirely at visitors’ own risk. Entrance gates to the reserve open and close at the following times Summer (1 October – 31 March) 05:00 – 19:00, Winter (1 April – 30 September) 06:00 – 18:00. campers arriving after closing time cannot be accommodated. The staff of the reserve are there to assist you. Please call at the office if you have a problem, or if you require more information.

How to get there

Weenen Nature Reserve is situated 25 km north east of Estcourt, and 8 km west of Weenen on the Estcourt / Weenen road. From Estcourt take the Colenso road for 3 km, and turn right at the top of the hill, where a signboard directs you onto the Weenen road. The reserve may also be approached from Greytown by turning left off the Greytown / Colenso road, onto the Estcourt road just past Weenen village. The road is tarred from both d

Thukela Biosphere

Situated in the greater Weenen district, the Thukela Biosphere consists of some 100 000 ha of valley bushveld. It is a unique concept that promotes conservation and community upliftment through the sustainable utilisation of the area’s natural resources. Malaria and bilharzias free, the biosphere offer visitors an outdoor experience and 15 different overnight facilities less than two hours drive from Durban and only four hours easy traveling from Johannesburg. The diverse topography of the Thukela Biosphere means that the veld ranges from large trees with dense canopies along the many rivers and streams, to thick acacia scrub and open grasslands. This supports a wide and fascinating range of wildlife. There are elephant and white rhino, wildebeest and buffalo, warthog, hyaena, jackal and numerous species of buck. Bird watchers may revel in the prolific birdlife – ostrich, Ground Hornbills, blue and crowned crane, bald ibis, vultures, a wide variety of smaller birds of prey, as well as riverine and grassland species. The mild climate of the biosphere also favours reptiles, and visitors will frequently encounter crocodiles, leguaans and a variety of tortoises, terrapins, snakes, lizards and geckoes. There is an excellent network of dirt roads on the game farms, and the Thukela Biosphere ensures visitors a grandstand view of the flora and fauna, while open vehicles drives are encouraged in the more remote section where local guides bring new insight to the many fascets of the Tugela Basin’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

Beulaland Cottage

B&B 6 km from Weenen Game Reserve. Wilderness walks in elephant country, night drives, birding, hiking and horse riding.

Isambane Camp

Tented self catered camp or catered thatched stone cottages. Hike to nearby iron ore mining caves. Game drives.

Kaisha Game Ranch

2000 ha on the Tugela River. Thatched cottages. Game viewing, night drives, fishing, birding, mountain biking, river rafting. Zulu village. Limited hunting

Kusa Kusa Game Lodge

Bamboo and thatched camp overlooking the Tugela Valley. Wilderness trails, guided walks, night drives. Zulu dancing. Hunting Packages.

Stoneyridge / Phumula Bush Camp

Luxury tented camp and cottages overlooking the Bloukranz River. 4 x 4 training and adventure trails. Birding, walking trails, game viewing, night drives, tubing, fishing, abseiling, mountain biking. Conferences.

Thornton Bush Lodge

Game ranch adjacent to the Weenen Game Reserve. Self catering bush lodges.

Umsuluzi Game Park

3200 ha on the Bloukranz River. Wilderness walks, guided day / night drives. 20 species of game and abundant birdlife. Fishing. Luxury safari tents or thatch on stone cottages.

Zingela Safari and River Company

On the Tugela River. Three day water rafting adventure, abseiling, 4 x 4 trails, Conference and team building activities. Hunting safaris arranged.

ATTACTIONS

Siyafundisana Zulu Handcraft Centre

At the entrance to the Weenen Game Reserve. Open daily.

Zingella Safaris

White river rafting, hunting safaris and riverside bush camp accommodation. They also offer tailor made tours of battlefields.

ACTIVITIES

Outdoors

Abseiling, birding, fishing, game viewing, hiking, horse riding, hunting, mountain biking, river rafting, rock climbing, 4 x 4 trails.