NDUMO GAME RESERVE - EDUCATION

 
This most attractive education centre nestles in the heart of Maputaland at the foothills of the Lubombo Mountains within the Ndumo game reserve.As early as 1993 KZN Wildlife and the communities living adjacent to this protected area conceptualised this project. From 1995 it has been in full operation and now opens its doors to more than just an educational experience but also for the leisure seeking tourist groups . A management committee comprised of KZN Wildlife staff and community representatives manages this partnership project.

Apart from the educational programmes described in this brochure , Ndumo Centre also works in supporting community - based projects such as ecotourism , ethnobotany and natural farming . The staff are actively engaged in developing and adapting resources such as school materials , workshop aids , books and pamphlets. Adults courses are also conducted for surrounding communities and topics include:conservation , resource management , social/organizational skills and community development.

ATTRACTIONS OF THE AREA:
The reserve is best known for its magnificent bird life. Many tropical east African species can be found at Ndumo as well as a wealth of aquatic birdlife on the many pans within the reserve.Game viewing too can be most rewarding with species such as hippo , crocodile , nyala , bushbuck , impala , suni and red duiker , white rhino and the buffalo.

The area is also one of unusual interest to the entomologist , and a variety of dung beetles and other fascinating insects are a common sight.
Ndumo is situated in the middle of the most interesting and diverse area in South Africa. Within an hour one can move from bushveld and big game country through sand forests to the coastal dune forests and rocky shores at Kosi Bay . Here one can snorkel , visit the unique fish kraals of the local people or explore the incredible swamp forest and Kosi Palm forest with the rare palm-nut vulture.

PROGRAMMES OFFERS:
Ndumo education centre offers professional education programmes to a diversity of groups ranging from schools to special interest groups . The project is within an hour's drive of the magnificent Kosi Bay estuarine and lake system and 30 minutes from Tembe elephant park. Breathtaking views of Swaziland and Mozambique can be seen from the park.

WHAT YOU CAN DO AT NDUMO:
1.There are professionally trained and experienced educational staff who can plan and conduct your learning    programmes. These staff are well versed with the educational changes taking place in South Africa and will    contextualise the learners experience at Ndumo by using the ‘environment' as a phase organizer.
2. A wide range of practical learning activities are offered in a number of ecosystems including :
• Pans , wetlands , bushveld , flood-plain , grasslands
• Leaning trips can also be organized at Tembe Elephant Park and Kosi Bay
• Activities are supported by a substantial range of resources including hands-on booklets , share-net    resources , field guides etc...
• A combination of learning , fun and adventure with starlit campfire evenings will be an experience    remembered for life.