The Ingula Nature Reserve (Site no. 2446) sits along the northernmost part of the Drakensberg mountain range, between Free State and KwaZulu-Natal.

The Site’s two sections straddle the continental watershed, with the upper part in the Wilge River catchment which drains into the Atlantic Ocean and the lower part in the Thukela River catchment which drains into the Indian Ocean. The Reserve lies between 1,260 and 1,900 metres above sea level, and mainly consists of dry grassy plains – which are partly cultivated and irrigated – interspersed with extensive wetlands.

It hosts over 300 bird species, of which 24 are threatened including the critically endangered white-winged flufftail (Sarothrura ayresi) and the endangered grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum), secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) and martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus). 34 mammal species have been recorded –including 11 carnivores and 10 antelope species – as well as 69 butterflies and 29 reptiles. The rare African weed orchid (Disa tysonii) is also present.

Fire management, subsistence agriculture and invasive plants are among the key challenges affecting the Site. The Nature Reserve was created in 2003 as a condition of the construction of a pumped storage scheme by the landowner Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd., which manages it in partnership with BirdLife South Africa and the Middelpunt Wetland Trust.

Source: Convention on Wetlands https://www.ramsar.org/news/south-africa-names-ingula-nature-reserve-as-a-wetland-of-international-importance