Coastal grassland and forest above the South Coast
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve lies in the hills inland from Scottburgh on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, a mix of coastal grassland, forest patches and sugar-cane country views towards the sea. Zebra, wildebeest, impala and other antelope graze the grassland, and in spring the grassland flowers. It is a quiet reserve for walking, cycling and birding, close to the South Coast beaches and the Aliwal Shoal dive sites.
Things to do: Game drives · Guided walk · Hiking
What people record most across KwaZulu-Natal. Past sightings, never a guarantee.
From iNaturalist records across KwaZulu-Natal, not confirmed sightings inside this reserve.
Inside-park stays and nearby lodges, sorted by distance.
One stay we sell in Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve. Tap the pin for the listing.
30.2665° S, 30.6108° EOpen in Maps
Why book here
Wild places survive when the communities around them earn more from protecting wildlife than from anything that would replace it. Every stay you book through Spekboom carries a conservation contribution built into the price, never added on top, so choosing where you sleep becomes a way to fund the people and projects keeping this landscape intact.
Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve is in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Yes. Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve is in an area recorded as malaria-free, which is why it is a common choice for families with young children and for a first safari. Malaria risk can shift with the season and the year, so confirm current advice with a travel clinic before you go.
In KwaZulu-Natal, commonly recorded species include animals such as Leatherback Turtle, Green Turtle, Loggerhead Turtle, Flap-necked Chameleon and birds including Southern Banded Snake Eagle, Woodward's Batis, Rosy-throated Longclaw, based on iNaturalist occurrence data. These reflect the wider province, not confirmed sightings inside the reserve.
Request Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife camps and cottages on Spekboom. We confirm with Ezemvelo, then you pay on Spekboom. Popular camps fill up well ahead of school holidays, so request early for peak dates.
The best time to visit Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve is Spring and summer (Sep-Mar).
Popular activities at Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve include game drives, guided walk, hiking.
Spekboom lists stays in and near Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve, from inside-park camps to nearby lodges. Every booking funds conservation.
Other parks and reserves that share something with Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve.
Malaria-free parks and game reservesNational parks and reserves in South AfricaNature reserves and parks in KwaZulu-NatalAll protected areas