Wildlife in the Midlands and Drakensberg

The Wildlife in the Midlands and Drakensberg areas of KwaZulu-Natal refers to the naturally occuring game.

Wildlife in the Midlands and Drakensberg areas of KwaZulu-Natal refers to the naturally occuring game that, over time, has been reduced to antelope such as reedbuck, a few cats and smaller mamals, the illusive leopard - only found in very small numbers in wilderness areas, caracal, jackal, dassies and hares can be seen on farmlands in the Midlands.

Up until the early part of the 20th century animals would migrate into the mountains in summer when grazing was plentiful, and would move to warmer areas as winter approached. With the advent of farms and fences, however, this was no longer possible. As a result, game populations in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park remain at a level that can be sustained by winter grazing. As part of the grassland management programme, large areas of the park are burnt annually to improve and maintain quality grasslands. Eland antelope and chacma baboons are commonly seen. Mountain Reedbuck are occassionally spotted.

Game reserves with larger mamals in these regions include Spioenkop Game reserve, Weenen game reserve & Thukela Bisophere and privately owned game reserves such as Gasuta and Penwarn have re-introduced wildlife onto their properties.