KZN · South Africa
Parks and reserves in KwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal has 117 protected areas in the directory, with 20 608 km² recorded across those that have a size. The largest is iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
- Nature reserves
- 60
- Other protected areas
- 22
- Game reserves
- 14
- Wildlife sanctuaries and parks
- 6
In KwaZulu-Natal
117 shown
| Name | Type | Province | Municipality | Area, km² | Est. | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 iSimangaliso Wetland Park | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 13 289 | 2000 | 43 km north of St Lucia |
 UKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 2 428 | 1993 | 86 km west of Pietermaritzburg |
| St. Lucia System | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 1 555 | 1986 | 52 km north of St Lucia |
| Turtle Beaches / Coral Reefs of Tongaland | Marine protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 746 | 1986 | 104 km north of St Lucia |
| St. Lucia Marine Reserve | Marine protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 465 | 1979 | 80 km north of St Lucia |
| St. Lucia Game Park | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 378 | 1916 | 42 km north of St Lucia |
| Maputaland Marine Reserve | Marine protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 364 | 1987 | 139 km north of St Lucia |
 uMkhuze Game Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 333 | 1912 | 83 km north of St Lucia |
 Ithala Game Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 290 | 1973 | 60 km north-east of Vryheid |
| Saint Lucia Park | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 156 | 1939 | 12 km north of St Lucia |
 Kosi Bay | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 110 | 1991 | 159 km north of St Lucia |
| Ingula Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Phumelela | 81,0 | 2018 | 40 km north-west of Ladysmith |
 Zingela Safari & River Company | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Inkosi Langalibalele | 80,0 | 1984 | 33 km south-east of Ladysmith |
| Lake Sibayi Fresh Water Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 71,9 | 1994 | 117 km north of St Lucia |
 Royal Natal National Park | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 61,5 | 1943 | 50 km south of Harrismith |
 Bonamanzi Game Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Big Five Hlabisa | 40,0 | — | 36 km north of St Lucia |
| Lotheni Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 39,8 | 1953 | 84 km west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Coastal Forest Reserve | Forest reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 26,1 | 1992 | 153 km north of St Lucia |
 Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 21,9 | 1973 | 53 km north of Port Shepstone |
| Umlalazi Nature Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 14,5 | — | 39 km south-west of Richards Bay |
 False Bay Park | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 11,9 | 1944 | 45 km north of St Lucia |
| Sodwana Bay National Park | National park | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 11,6 | 1950 | 97 km north of St Lucia |
| Maphelane Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 11,1 | 1984 | 7 km south of St Lucia |
| uMgeni Vlei Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Impendle | 9,6 | — | 55 km west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Mpushini Protected Environment | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Mkhambathini | 6,2 | — | 13 km south-east of Pietermaritzburg |
 Cumberland Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | 3,0 | — | 15 km north-east of Pietermaritzburg |
| Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | 2,5 | 1963 | 11 km south-west of Durban |
 Empisini Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | 0,6 | 1973 | 45 km south-west of Durban |
| Mariannwood Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | 0,1 | — | 19 km west of Durban |
| The Waterberry | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | KwaDukuza | 0,0 | — | 41 km north-east of Durban |
| Albert Falls Game Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | 1975 | 16 km north of Pietermaritzburg |
| Albert Falls Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 18 km north of Pietermaritzburg |
| Aliwal Shoal Marine Protected Area | Marine protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 44 km south of Durban |
| Amatikulu Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | uMlalazi | — | 1948 | 56 km south-west of Richards Bay |
 Babanago Game Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Ulundi | — | — | 62 km south-east of Vryheid |
| Beachwood Mangrove Nature Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | 1977 | 6 km north of Durban |
 Bluff Nature Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | — | 1974 | 9 km south of Durban |
 Burman Bush | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | — | — | 5 km north of Durban |
| Cape Vidal State Forest | Forest reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 37 km north of St Lucia |
| Cheetah Ridge | Wildlife sanctuary | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Alfred Duma | — | — | 17 km east of Ladysmith |
 Chelmsford Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | 1975 | 23 km south of Newcastle |
| Coleford Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | 1948 | 66 km north of Kokstad |
| Corridor Game Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Big Five Hlabisa | — | 1989 | 48 km west of St Lucia |
| Crestholme Conservancy and Equestrian Centre | Wildlife sanctuary | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini | — | — | 23 km north-west of Durban |
| Crocworld | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini | — | — | 51 km south-west of Durban |
| Dlangala Wildlife Sanctuary | Wildlife sanctuary | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Ubuhlebezwe | — | — | 52 km south of Pietermaritzburg |
| Doctor Alden Lloyd Nature Conservation Area | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 48 km south-east of Newcastle |
| Doreen clark nature reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | uMngeni | — | — | 9 km west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Eastern Shores State Forest | Forest reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 23 km north of St Lucia |
| Elsewhere Game Reserve | Private game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Abaqulusi | — | — | 0 km north-west of Vryheid |
| Enseleni Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 10 km north-west of Richards Bay |
| Ferncliffe Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | uMgungundlovu District | — | — | 6 km north-west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Giant's Castle Game Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 75 km south of Ladysmith |
| Golela Bush | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 116 km north-east of Vryheid |
| Harold Johnson Nature Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | iLembe District | — | — | 76 km south-west of Richards Bay |
| Hazelmere Dam and Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini | — | — | 30 km north of Durban |
| Himeville Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 82 km west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Hlobane | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Abaqulusi | — | — | 21 km east of Vryheid |
 Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 44 km west of St Lucia |
| Honey Trails: Hiking | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini | — | — | 33 km south-east of Pietermaritzburg |
| Howick Umngeni River Conservancy | Private game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | uMngeni | — | — | 20 km north-west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Impeleshu Forest Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | 1954 | 41 km west of Richards Bay |
| Impendle Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Impendle | — | — | 46 km west of Pietermaritzburg |
 Iphithi Nature Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | — | — | 23 km west of Durban |
 Kamberg Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | 1951 | 72 km west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Karkloof Conservation Centre | Wildlife sanctuary | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | uMngeni | — | — | 30 km north-west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Karkloof Falls | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | uMngeni | — | — | 24 km north-west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Krantzkloof Natuire Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 21 km north-west of Durban |
 Krantzkloof Nature Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | 1950 | 20 km north-west of Durban |
| Lake Eland Game Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Ugu District | — | — | 27 km west of Port Shepstone |
| Loteni Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 84 km west of Pietermaritzburg |
 Manyoni Private Game Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 75 km north-west of St Lucia |
| Mbumbazi Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Ugu District | — | — | 18 km south-west of Port Shepstone |
| Midmar Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 20 km north-west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Mount Currie Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 8 km north of Kokstad |
| Mzamba Fossil beds | Protected heritage site | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Winnie Madikizela-Mandela | — | — | 48 km south-west of Port Shepstone |
| Mzimkulu Wilderness Area | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 99 km north of Kokstad |
| Mzimkulwana Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 85 km north of Kokstad |
 Ndumo Game Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 164 km north of St Lucia |
| Nkomba Bird Sanctuary | Wildlife sanctuary | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Umdoni | — | — | 47 km north-east of Port Shepstone |
| Ntsikeni | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 48 km north of Kokstad |
| Ntsikeni Nature Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 46 km north of Kokstad |
| Nyalazi State Forest | Forest reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 26 km north of St Lucia |
 Oribi Gorge | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Ugu District | — | — | 18 km west of Port Shepstone |
| Palmiet Nature Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | — | — | 10 km north-west of Durban |
 Paradise Valley | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | — | — | 13 km west of Durban |
| Phezulu Safari Park | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 32 km west of Durban |
| Phinda Resource Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 68 km north of St Lucia |
 Pipeline Coastal Park | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | — | — | 23 km south-west of Durban |
 Pongola Game Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | uPhongolo | — | — | 114 km north-east of Vryheid |
| River Valley Nature Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Ray Nkonyeni | — | — | 14 km south-west of Port Shepstone |
| Roosfontein Nature Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | — | 1985 | 10 km west of Durban |
| Rugged Glen Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 47 km south of Harrismith |
| Skyline Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Ray Nkonyeni | — | — | 11 km south-west of Port Shepstone |
| Sodwana Bay State Forest | Forest reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 84 km north of St Lucia |
| Somkhanda Game Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | uPhongolo | — | — | 104 km north-west of St Lucia |
 Springside Nature Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | — | 1948 | 26 km west of Durban |
| T.C. Robertson Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Umdoni | — | — | 54 km south-west of Durban |
| Tala Game Reserve entrance gate | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 30 km south-east of Pietermaritzburg |
| Tala Game Reserve reception | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 30 km south-east of Pietermaritzburg |
| Trafalgar Marine Protected Area | Marine protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 28 km south-west of Port Shepstone |
| Ubizane Wildlife Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Big Five Hlabisa | — | — | 45 km north-west of St Lucia |
 Umdoni Bird Sanctuary | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 24 km south-west of Durban |
| Umfolozi Game Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 61 km north-west of Richards Bay |
| Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | uMngeni | — | — | 19 km north-west of Pietermaritzburg |
 Umhlanga Lagoon | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | eThekwini Metro | — | — | 18 km north of Durban |
 Umtamvuna Nature Reserve | Protected area | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | 1971 | 41 km south-west of Port Shepstone |
| Umvoti Vlei Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 53 km north of Pietermaritzburg |
| Vergelegen Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 89 km west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Virginia Bush Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 10 km north of Durban |
| Vryheid Hill Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Abaqulusi | — | — | 2 km north of Vryheid |
| WESSA uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve & Education Centre | Wildlife sanctuary | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | uMngeni | — | — | 19 km north-west of Pietermaritzburg |
| Wagendrift Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 54 km south of Ladysmith |
| Wagendrift Public Resort Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | — | — | — | 59 km south of Ladysmith |
 Zimanga Private Game Reserve | Game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Jozini | — | — | 98 km north-west of St Lucia |
| Zulu Waters Game Reserve | Private game reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Inkosi Langalibalele | — | — | 61 km south of Ladysmith |
| uMngeni Plateau Nature Reserve | Nature reserve | KZN KwaZulu-Natal | Impendle | — | — | 55 km west of Pietermaritzburg |