African Wildlife and Environment Issue 65

DESTINATION

leadership programmes or as a stopover for a long school excursion. We have also recently upgraded our conference facilities, and can now provide a large 80 seater and smaller 40 seater venue for your specific needs. Environmental education is our specialty UVNR is accredited as a regional centre of excellence, and as a sustainability commons centre. We have been running curriculum-based environmental education programmes since 1979, and have taught over 100 000 students of various ages. Our classroom is over 900 Ha in size, and we can access many different habitats to create many different research possibilities. Our programmes can be from a half day to a full week, and we run activities that are transdisciplinary and cross-curricular. We have several focus areas, including life sciences, geography, and environmental science, education for sustainability, adventure and leadership, interpretative trails, languages and the arts, and investigative research projects for senior level students. Our education officers are highly qualified, experienced and professional. They bring learning to life, and engage with the students to make activities fun and exciting. We base our teaching strategies on experiential learning, where students learn through hand-on activities. Something for everyone Our beautiful reserve has a wide range of activities to satisfy a wide-range of different needs. Take a short 30 minute walk down to Cascade and Shelter Falls, where you will see nesting weavers and dolerite dykes in the gorge walls. Continue down below the falls along the river, and if you are feeling hot, slide down the 3 m bum slide into the splash pool at the bottom. Follow the different trails along the cliff line, seeing the spectacular Howick Falls across the valley, and then follow the upper and lower Dwarf’s Dwadle into the indigenous riverine bush. Watch your head here, as this path is designed specifically for Dwarfs! At View site, setup a picnic on the table top, sit down below the Wild Fig Tree and look out over one of the most magnificent views in the entire province. See if you can spot the solitary Giraffe in the plains below, and the feeding Buffalo and White Rhino in the Ihlanze Private Wildlife Reserve alongside our Northern boundary. If you are a passionate bird-watcher, tree or flower expert, we have guided walks specifically designed for you to spot and tick-off that elusive species you were searching for. Our six walking trails are clearly signposted. Some are suited to those who are looking for a gentle stroll, while others are designed for the more technical hiker.

and well-appointed kitchenette and living area, this cottage is perfect for that couple looking for a private getaway or romantic weekend in the bush. On special request, UVNR also has 3 basic family cottages in the reserve, offering stunning views of the valley and river below. These cottages can sleep from 2 to 6 people, and are run on gas. The Cycad camp (30 people) and Ndulo camp (60 people) are located in the valley, built into the forest environment. They are rustic, remote but will truly allow you to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the African bush. We can also accommodate school groups in our dormitory accommodation, sleeping up to 60 students. These can be booked for environmental education programmes, sporting weekends,

Burchell’s Zebra enjoying the tranquility in the uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve

• over 150 tree species, including the Outeniqua Yellowwood, White & Red Stinkwood, Cape Beech and several Acacia species; • over 185 flowering plants, including the Natal Giant Cycad, highly endangered Brachystelma gerrardii Harv. and the endemic Hydrostachys polymorpha ; • an extensive variety of different invertebrate species. Accommodation to suit everyone’s needs, with a 3 star-rating thrown in UVNR has a range of accommodation options to suit many different needs, including the discerning

business traveler, family holiday group, school group, romantic getaway or the adventurer wanting a real bush experience. Our chalets and honeymoon cottage have recently received a three-star accreditation for Bed & Breakfasts from the SA Tourism Council. The rooms are tastefully decorated, and can sleep two people in twin beds. The Garden Cottage has 3 bedrooms, and can sleep up to 6 guests. All chalets are setup for self catering. Baumann’s Cottage is situated in a private acacia thicket away from the hustle and bustle of the public area. With a double queen size bed, a private deck

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