Steeped in history, from the Bushmen to the British, and including an Anglo-Boer battlefield, this reserve offers a lot to the visitor. There are five major ecosystems present; grassland, forest, wetland, mixed woodland and cliffs. This ensures a high biodiversity, with many special plants, animals and birds.

The 900ha reserve borders on the historical town of Vryheid in northern Zululand. The many trails in the reserve take the visitor through or past all of these ecosystems, and allows one to take in beautiful views of Vryheid and the surrounding area. Some of the animals occurring in the reserve include eland, zebra, impala, blesbok, mountain and common reedbuck, bushbuck and oribi.

Many grassland orchids and wild flowers grace the plateau and the forest hosts many tree and shrub species. There have been about 230 species of birds recorded in the reserve, and it is well known as one of the top birding venues in the area. Crowned Eagles breed in the forest overlooking Vryheid. Other interesting birds include the Broad-tailed Warbler, Cuckoo Hawk, Olive Bush Shrike, many pipit and cisticola species, Bush Black-cap, Buff-streaked Chat and Buff-spotted Flufftail.

Accommodation is available at the Ntingonono Environmental Centre. Situated on the edge of the forest, this venue offers 10 permanent safari tents, as well as hot and cold showers, a kitchen providing cutlery and crockery and a 100-seat hall.