ONGOYE FOREST - OVERVIEW

Ongoye Forest is an exceptionally rare and diverse habitat. It is probably the most famous example of the extremely rare scarp forests. The Ongoye range is well-drained by numerous fast-flowing streams such as the Umlalazi and its tributaries the Thondo and the Intuze arising from valley-head springs and is of great importance as a water catchment area. It has large array of rare and endemic tree and plant species that make it "a must" for the more discerning nature lover.

The many tree rarities include magnificent giant umzimbeet, Millettia sutherlundii, forest mangosteen Garcinia gerrardii, forest water berry, Syzygium gerrardii and pondoland fig Ficus bizanae amongst others. The cycads Encephalartos ngoyanus and Encephalartos villosus are also found here. Birding and hiking are also very popular all year round. There are about 130 bird species found on the reserve. The green barbet is endemic to the forest. Bushbuck, red duiker and red squirrel are also found. The giant Wood's cycad, Encephalartos woodii, now extinct in the wild, but surviving at the botanic gardens in Durban only occurred here.

In the past, Ongoye forest was protected by the Zulu Royal household because of the medicinal value of the plants found there. During the period that the Zulus were under the rule of King Mpande, (Cetshwayo's father) , Cetshwayo's kraal was at Ongoye in the hills overlooking the Empangeni and Mhlatuze areas, with a view over the Mhlatuze and out to sea. It was healthy there and the grazing was good. After his father's death he moved to the Emakoseni and built his great Ulundi kraal.

Even after giving the land to John Dunn in return for Dunn's insight into dealing with the Europeans in Natal, Cetshhwayo prevented him hunting within the bounds of the forest.

Cetshwayo also controlled the planting and harvesting periods of his people by noting products coming out of the forest. Only when the first fruits were harvested from the forest, would the Zulu people be allowed to harvest fruits within the region. 

Ongoye Forest brochure. (PDF file)