The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Skyline Nature Reserve

Afrikaans name: Skyline Natuur Reservaat

Coastal forest at Skyline Nature Reserve

Photo © Steven Herbert

Skyline Nature Reserve was founded in 1962 and is situated between Margate and Uvongo. It is a small reserve that has a large diversity of trees and other plant life.

Besides the hundreds of species of trees there is the chance of seeing mammals such as Bushbuck and Blue and Grey Duiker. The reserve is home to a number of bird species as well.

There are a few short trails through the reserve.

Before it was declared a nature reserve Skyline had many different owners. It was only when a retired couple, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson, bought the property that someone saw the potential in the land. They started clearing exotic trees and establishing pathways. It was eventually donated to the Borough of Margate with the condition that it is kept as a nature reserve in perpetuity.

Opening times: 07h00 to 17h00 all year round. Entrance is free and there are no facilities available. Skyline Nature Reserve is administered by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

Have you visited Skyline? What was it like?



Some of the birds that may be seen at Skyline Nature Reserve

Natal Spurfowl

White-faced Duck

Egyptian Goose

Spur-winged Goose

African Black Duck

Yellow-billed Duck

Lesser Honeyguide

Black-collared Barbet

Crowned Hornbill

Trumpeter Hornbill

African Hoopoe

Narina Trogon

Malachite Kingfisher

Brown-hooded Kingfisher

Little Bee-eater

Speckled Mousebird

Diderick Cuckoo

Burchell's Coucal

Knysna Turaco

Purple-crested Turaco

Spotted Eagle-Owl

Laughing Dove

Cape Turtle-Dove

Red-eyed Dove

Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove

Tambourine Dove

Blacksmith Lapwing

Black Kite

African Fish-Eagle

African Goshawk

Little Sparrowhawk

Steppe Buzzard

Long-crested Eagle

Black-headed Heron

Hamerkop

Hadeda Ibis

Black-headed Oriole

Square-tailed Drongo

Fork-tailed Drongo

African Paradise-Flycatcher

Black-backed Puffback

Southern Boubou

Chinspot Batis

Pied Crow

Grey Cuckooshrike

Southern Black Tit

Barn Swallow

Dark-capped Bulbul

Sombre Greenbul

Cape White-eye

Rufous-naped Lark

Olive Thrush

Southern Black Flycatcher

African Dusky Flycatcher

Red-capped Robin-Chat

White-browed Scrub-Robin

Red-winged Starling

Black-bellied Starling

Cape Glossy Starling

Common Myna

Olive Sunbird

Grey Sunbird

Amethyst Sunbird

Collared Sunbird

Spectacled Weaver

Yellow Weaver

Village Weaver

Southern Red Bishop

Thick-billed Weaver

Common Waxbill

Bronze Mannikin

Red-backed Mannikin

Pin-tailed Whydah

House Sparrow

Southern Grey-headed Sparrow

Yellow-throated Longclaw

Yellow-fronted Canary

Golden-breasted Bunting

References and further reading

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