Cumberland Nature Reserve

Cumberland Nature Reserve Self-catering accommodation & campsites on a 560ha private nature reserve near Pietermaritzburg.

Nestled to the east of Pietermaritzburg, Cumberland Nature Reserve is a picturesque 560-hectare sanctuary of natural beauty. As a walker’s paradise, our reserve offers a mosaic of diverse habitats including savanna, woodland, valley thickets, and wetlands, perfect for exploration and adventure. This breathtaking landscape is enriched with extensive cliff faces, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls, and wooded gorges, creating an idyllic setting for landscape photography enthusiasts – every corner of the reserve presents an opportunity to capture nature’s splendour. Teeming with wildlife, prepare to discover over 30 mammal species, marvel at the diversity of 300 bird species, and soak in the vibrancy of 50 butterfly species. Our reserve is also home to more than 200 wildflower species and a healthy population of snakes, including several resident African Rock Pythons. We’re dedicated to preserving and celebrating the natural world and invite you to explore the wonders of our reserve, connect with nature, and experience the unparalleled beauty that Cumberland has to offer.

Spring has a way of making the walking shoes look a little more tempting 😉🌿With warmer days settling in, it’s a good tim...
10/09/2026

Spring has a way of making the walking shoes look a little more tempting 😉🌿

With warmer days settling in, it’s a good time to get out onto Cumberland’s safe, unguided trails. Take it easy with a gentle wander or give the legs a little more work on a longer route.

Along the way, keep your eyes open for birds flitting through the trees, buck grazing nearby and spring wildflowers adding a splash of colour 🌼 And, of course, there’s always that one bird you hear for half the walk but never actually manage to find 😅

With the September break coming up, you might just have a little more time to lace up and head out.

Book your trail time by clicking the link in our bio.

📷 Image courtesy of Merrell Trail Runs / Mountain Runner Events

08/09/2026

What do giraffes get up to all day? Quite a lot, as it turns out 😉🦒🌿

Meet Scarlett and Simangele from University of KwaZulu-Natal , who’ve been spending time at Cumberland getting to know the daily routines of our much taller residents.

Their research looks at giraffe behaviour and foraging, helping to build a baseline of how giraffes behave in natural settings and how that compares with areas where there’s more human disturbance and predators.

With their time at Cumberland starting to wrap up, we caught up with Scarlett and Simangele to chat about what they’ve been observing, what they’ve learned and what it’s like when watching giraffes is genuinely part of the job 💚🦒

Anne Innis Dagg Foundation

School holidays are coming… which means quality family time, plenty of snacks, and someone asking, “what are we doing to...
03/09/2026

School holidays are coming… which means quality family time, plenty of snacks, and someone asking, “what are we doing today?” before you’ve even finished your morning coffee 😉🌿

Cumberland’s Kudu Room sleeps 6, while the Impala Room sleeps 2. Book both together and you’ll get a break for 8 loved ones. You’ll also have exclusive access to the shared kitchen - plenty of room for the family to spread out, come together, and keep the snack department running smoothly 😅

And this September, there’s a good reason to stay a little longer 💚

One More Night, On Us! Book and pay for 2 nights this September and enjoy a 3rd night on us. That’s another day for wandering, wildlife spotting and enjoying some time out in the bush.

Valid for Monday–Thursday stays until 30 September 2026. To book the Spring Special, email your booking request directly to [email protected].

Well, Cumberland certainly got its steps in this past weekend 😅🏃‍♂️🌿The Merrell KZN Trail Runs took over the trails, wit...
01/09/2026

Well, Cumberland certainly got its steps in this past weekend 😅🏃‍♂️🌿

The Merrell KZN Trail Runs took over the trails, with runners tackling 42km, 21km, 12km and 6km routes across Cumberland’s rolling hills, grasslands and scenic trails.
Some came for the kilometres, some for the views… and we’re fairly sure everyone was very happy to see the finish line 😉👏

A big thank you to Mountain Runner Events and every runner who spent their weekend out on the reserve with us. We loved having you here 💚

Now we want to hear from the legs themselves which distance did you tackle, and how are the stairs treating you today? 😅👇

📷 Images courtesy of Merrell Trail Runs / Mountain Runner Events / Kirsten Oliver 📷

Some of the best lessons don’t happen behind a school desk 🌿Outdoor Educators offers school programmes at Cumberland th...
01/09/2026

Some of the best lessons don’t happen behind a school desk 🌿

Outdoor Educators offers school programmes at Cumberland that get learners outdoors, working together, trying new things and developing skills along the way.

And there’s plenty to keep them on their toes 😉 From raft building and beacon hunts to map reading, trust and communication activities, the underground Tunnel maze, photo adventure challenges, indigenous games and team-building activities.

It’s outdoor education with plenty of opportunities to problem-solve, communicate, work as a team and have a good time while they’re at it.

Planning your school’s next outdoor programme? Get in touch with Dirk at Outdoor Educators:

Email – [email protected]
Mobile – 072 135 7047

31/08/2026

A little more time in the bush sounds good to us 😉🌿

Book and pay for 2 nights this September, and we’ll add a 3rd night on us. That’s an extra morning to wake up surrounded by nature, another day to wander, and a little more time to slow down and switch off.

Valid for Monday–Thursday stays until 30 September 2026.

To take advantage of the offer, email your booking request directly to [email protected].💚

Race day has arrived ☀️🏃‍♀️The sun is coming up over Cumberland, the trails are waiting, and runners are getting ready f...
30/08/2026

Race day has arrived ☀️🏃‍♀️

The sun is coming up over Cumberland, the trails are waiting, and runners are getting ready for a memorable day out in the Midlands.

Good luck to everyone taking part in the 2026 Merrell KZN Trail Runs. Enjoy the trails, take in the views, and have a fantastic day out in nature 💚

Let’s run!

Mountain Runner Events

Tomorrow’s the day 🏃‍♂️🌿The trails are marked, the winter grasslands are glowing, and we’re ready to welcome runners to ...
29/08/2026

Tomorrow’s the day 🏃‍♂️🌿

The trails are marked, the winter grasslands are glowing, and we’re ready to welcome runners to Cumberland for the 2026 Merrell KZN Trail Runs.

Safe travels to everyone making their way to the reserve. We’re looking forward to sharing a great day out in nature with you all 💚

See you on the start line.

Mountain Runner Events

Time to test your bush knowledge 👀🐾Take a good look at these tracks. Any idea who they belong to?Drop your guess in the ...
28/08/2026

Time to test your bush knowledge 👀🐾

Take a good look at these tracks. Any idea who they belong to?

Drop your guess in the comments before you swipe for the answer - confidence is encouraged, Googling is frowned upon 😉🌿

And yes, bragging rights are absolutely on the table.

Winter is almost ready to hand the bush over to spring... but it's not done putting on a show just yet. ❄️🌿There's still...
27/08/2026

Winter is almost ready to hand the bush over to spring... but it's not done putting on a show just yet. ❄️🌿

There's still time to enjoy the golden grass, crisp mornings and peaceful landscapes that make this season so special at Cumberland. Wander our safe walking trails, pause at the viewpoints and soak up the last of winter's quiet beauty before the seasons begin to change. 🍂☀️

If you've been meaning to experience Cumberland in winter, now's the time. 🌿 Click the link to plan your visit: https://www.cumberlandreserve.co.za

Address

Cumberland Nature Reserve, D408, Table Mountain Road
Pietermaritzburg

Opening Hours

Monday 07:30 - 15:30
Tuesday 07:30 - 15:30
Wednesday 07:30 - 15:30
Thursday 07:30 - 15:30
Friday 07:30 - 15:30
Saturday 07:29 - 12:30

Telephone

+27823765600

Website

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