Hlathikhulu Forest Reserve

Hlathikulu Forest is a coastal scarp forest in the Lebombo Mountains of South Africa, between Ingwavuma and the Pongola Gorge. The forest is also known as the Gwaliweni Forest. The forest is part of the IUCN's Maputaland Centre of Plant Endemism

History

It is the site of the murder of the Zulu King Dingane by Zulu Nyawo, iNkosi Sambane of the Nyawo Royal House and Nondawana. After being stabbed to death, Dingane was buried beneath a large fig tree at his residence at eSankoleni. Three large stones were used to mark the grave.
In 1948, the forest was proclaimed as the Hlatikulu Forest Reserve. In 1987, while under the jurisdiction of the KwaZulu bantustan, it was renamed to Hlathikhulu Nature Reserve. On 7 March 2013, it was formally declared as a nature reserve: Hlathikhulu Forest Reserve Nature Reserve.

Biodiversity

Bird species recorded here include the lemon dove, trumpeter hornbill, olive woodpecker, pink-throated twinspot, Livingstone's turaco and African crowned eagle.
Tree species found here include the Lebombo ironwood and Lebombo krantz ash.