Empisini Nature Reserve

The reserve is approximately 60 ha in extent[2][3] and is owned by the borough of uMkhomanzi[4] which has been incorporated into the eThekwini municipality.

[5] Empisini is managed jointly by eThekwini[3] and the Umkomaas centre of the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa.

[1] Infrastructure consists of hiking trails, demarcated picnic sites, overnight cabins, and a tree house.

[2][7] At least 201 species of birds have been recorded at Empisini[8] including: African fish-eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer), African crowned eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus), Wahlberg's eagle (Aquila wahlbergi), black-chested snake-eagle (Circaetus pectoralis), spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis), African black duck (Anas sparsa), tambourine dove (Turtur tympanistria), emerald-spotted wood-dove (Turtur chalcospilos), lemon dove (Aplopelia larvata), purple-crested turaco (Gallirex porphyreolophus), Knysna turaco (Tauraco corythaix), green malkoha (Ceuthmochares aereus), African wood-owl (Strix woodfordii), African palm-swift (Cypsiurus parvus), Narina trogon (Apaloderma narina), giant kingfisher (Megaceryle maximus), African pygmy-kingfisher (Ispidina picta), trumpeter hornbill (Bycanistes bucinator), olive woodpecker (Dendropicos griseocephalus), red-throated wryneck (Jynx ruficollis), spotted ground-thrush (Zoothera guttata), mountain wagtail (Motacilla clara), dark-backed weaver (Ploceus bicolor), magpie mannikin (Spermestes fringilloides), red-backed mannikin (Spermestes bicolor), green twinspot (Mandingoa nitidula) and forest canary (Crithagra scotops).

Trees include: cheesewood (Pittosporum viridiflorum), false white stinkwood (Celtis gomphophylla) and broad-leafed quince (Cryptocarya latifolia).