In 2003, the Ingula Partnership was established between Eskom, BirdLife South Africa and the Middelpunt Wetland Trust with a common conservation objective of managing the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme as a sustainable conservation site. It is a classic example of how an industrial undertaking can be integrated within a conservation area. Ingula and its surrounding nature reserve provides a core conservation area and acts as a catalyst to encourage conservation-based management principles for surrounding landowners and for socio-economic development for local communities.
The Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme was initiated by Eskom to supplement the national power grid during peak periods. The Bedford and Braamhoek dams are connected by underground waterways passing through a subterranean powerhouse with four generators. To generate electricity during times of peak demand, water is released from Bedford Dam which is situated in the upper site and allowed to pass through the turbines into the Braamhoek Dam situated in the lower site. Situated close to the Van Reenen’s Pass, on the provincial border between the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, the scheme spans the escarpment of the Little Drakensberg and the continental watershed between the Orange River (from the Vaal River) in the eastern Free State and the Tugela River in KwaZulu-Natal, where high-altitude wetlands provide ideal habitat for, amongst others, the Endangered White-winged Flufftail.Â
The environmental impact assessment approved the scheme, and the Record of Decision (ROD) stipulated several conditions. These included Eskom entering into a partnership agreement with a conservation NGO to ensure that environmental impacts were properly managed, the declaration of the land acquired for the project as a nature reserve upon completion of the pumped storage scheme, the rehabilitation of all existing erosion problems on the property, and the removal of all exotic fauna and flora from the area.
To find out how the Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme works, download the factsheet here.Â
The Ingula Partnership steering committee is made up of primary members representing Eskom (Felicia Sono and Warren Funston), BirdLife South Africa (Mark Anderson and Dr Hanneline Smit-Robinson), and the Middelpunt Wetland Trust (Malcolm Drummond). The Partnership was established to monitor and minimise the environmental impacts throughout the project construction and beyond.Â
Download the factsheet here.Â
As part of the Ingula Partnership, BirdLife South Africa delivers an integrated conservation programme that protects the exceptional biodiversity of Ingula Nature Reserve. Our work includes monitoring threatened bird species and their habitats, guiding grassland and wetland management, reducing bird collisions with power infrastructure, and undertaking applied conservation research. We also support environmental education, citizen science and eco-tourism initiatives, provide technical biodiversity advice for renewable energy development, and work with local communities, landowners and conservation partners to promote sustainable livelihoods and strengthen conservation across the broader landscape.Â
Through monitoring work done by BirdLife South Africa, the Eskom environmental team, and various citizen scientist initiatives, over 340 bird species have been recorded at Ingula. These include two regionally Critically Endangered species, i.e. the White-backed Vulture, and Bearded Vulture, as well as several other threatened high-altitude grassland specialists and endemics. Several threatened bird species have also been observed to breed on site or in the immediate vicinity. A very impressive list of reptiles, butterflies and plants also occur on Ingula.
Please note that due to being an operational power station and National Key Point, prior arrangement for access to Ingula is strictly required. Visitors who fail to make prior arrangements will be turned around by security at the gate.
For more information, please contact Steven Segang ([email protected]) or Carina Pienaar ([email protected]).
There are a couple of options, depending on preference and group size. The closest accommodation is M’sonti Bushcamp (078 648 1033 / 072 244 3004 / 081 334 7702) and Scheurklip Farm House (083 318 3894 or [email protected]). M’sonti Bushcamp is very basic with poor road conditions, but it is very scenic and almost neighbouring Ingula with hiking possibilities along the escarpments and even through some forest patches for good forest birding.
Going from Ingula towards Van Reenen there are three more options: Waterfall River Lodge (also on AirBnB – 083 303 0364), Oaklands Country Manor (quite fancy with the accompanying increased price, but with a very special menu – 079 529 2314 / 082 608 2469), Camp Scheurklip (for campers – 082 926 1531) and Oban farm (also very basic). These are also on roads that can be relatively bad in some areas, but are fine with a high-clearance vehicle.
If you prefer driving tar roads, the accommodation in Van Reenen, or Wyford Farm (on the Van Reenen’s Pass) will be the better options. Within Van Reenen you have the choice of The Green Lantern Hotel and the Little Church self-catering cottages (058 671 0106). Several guest houses are also available in Ladysmith, but these may be slightly farther away than Van Reenen.
This will depend on your available vehicle. If you prefer driving tar roads, you will pass Van Reenen, go down the Van Reenen’s Pass, and take the Tugela-East off-ramp to the R103 to Ladysmith. Shortly after the toll gate, a road turns to the left toward Besters/Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme. This is a good tar road all the way to the Ingula security gate, and De Beers Pass, although slightly farther.
The shorter route will pass the above mentioned accommodation (Oaklands and Oban), so high-clearance vehicles are preferable. This road takes a gravel road from Van Reenen toward the De Beers Pass, where it meets at the Bedford gate to Ingula.
We have the highest number of species on site (with all the specials like Yellow-breasted Pipit, Denham’s Bustard, all three Cranes, etc.) during September to February, with the peak of raptors seen during January and February. However, this is mostly season- and rain dependent, as breeding starts with the first big rainfall event.
Most of the main roads on Ingula are tarred. If you wish to do self-drive birding, you will only be allowed on these tarred roads, and a brochure is available to indicate where the hotspots are.
However, if you arrange a guided birding trip (at the suggested BirdLife guiding rates available on our website), high clearance vehicles are needed, and 4×4 is beneficial, as you will be taken over some more difficult terrains. Other than the guiding tariffs, visiting the Nature Reserve is free of charge, and only subject to prior arrangement.
Yes. We have two local bird guides with excellent knowledge of the site and its history who is keen to assist where needed. Some areas on the reserve are only accessible when guided. Please look below in the Guides section for more information.
Please note that there’s a flat rate for groups up to a maximum of 3 people per guide, and an additional fee per person after the maximum.
Yes. We have developed a brochure and map showing the birding hotspots around the Nature Reserve, including the species that have been recorded at each site: Ingula Self-Guided Birding Guide
However, due to security reasons, prior arrangement is essential (contact Steven Segang – [email protected] or Carina Pienaar – [email protected] to obtain a visitor’s permit). Driving on any other road than the tarred roads are not allowed on this option.
Yes. Two mornings (one for the upper, and one for the lower site) is suggested, but if only one day is available, it is suggested to start with the high altitude grassland specialists, moving gradually to lower site, ending with sundowners next to one of the dams.
If you want to do a self-guided trip on Sunday, I can suggest driving the dirt roads neighbouring Ingula, within our Upper Wilge Protected Environment.Â
Alternatively, the area covered in the Memel birding routes document as well as Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve is also nearby and will also provide you with some good sightings.
There are several other destinations in the vicinity (Ladysmith sewage works usually have great birding, to Weenen Nature Reserve) so it all depends on your available time, the distance you are willing to travel, and what birds you are hoping to see.
If you would like to also visit the Eskom operational tunnels for the Pumped Storage Scheme, this is easily arranged (also free of charge). These tours are, however, only available on weekdays (Monday–Friday), while birding is always available!
Please contact Bekibuhle Mlaba at [email protected] to arrange Pumped Storage Scheme tours.
I grew up in the North West Province and gained experience in bird guiding and bird ringing, which is how my passion for birds started. I am a qualified bird guide at the Ingula Nature Reserve, Ladysmith, and surrounds, and have a good knowledge or high-altitude and open grassland, and wetland birdsÂ
I am a professional bird guide, operating in the grasslands, wetlands and forests around Van Reenen and the Ingula Nature Reserve. My passion for birds started when I was about seven years old. I used to look after my grandmother’s goats, and out there was where I used to listen to different bird calls and enjoyed it. One day, I found a Red-winged Starling with a broken leg. My grandmother helped me to save and release it when it was able to fly again, fuelling my passion about birds which has never stopped. Â
*Additional R275.00 per additional pax from 4 and upwardsÂ
Note: Any groups larger than 10 would require an additional guide.
There are a wide variety of accommodation options in the area surrounding Ingula Nature Reserve:Â
Waterfall FarmÂ
https://www.waterfallfarm.co.za/Â
Oaklands Country ManorÂ
https://www.oaklandsfarmstay.com/Â
Camp SkeurklipÂ
https://www.lekkeslaap.co.za/accommodation/camp-skeurklipÂ
Oban Guest farmÂ
https://obangasteplaas.co.za/Â
Wyford FarmÂ
Wattled Cranes, © Warwick Tarboton
Ingula Nature Reserve boasts a huge variety of birds, from reclusive wetland specialists to high-altitude grassland endemics:
Yellow-breasted PipitÂ
Wattled CranesÂ
White-bellied KorhaanÂ
Croaking CisticolaÂ
Denham’s BustardÂ
Fantailed Grassbird
Pale-crowned CisticolaÂ
SecretarybirdÂ
Half-collared KingfisherÂ
African Marsh HarrierÂ
Black HarrierÂ
Black-rumped ButtonquailÂ
Download the full list here.
Ingula Nature Reserve has recorded 49 mammal species, including antelopes, predators, primates, hares, rodents and scavengers. Several are threatened or endemic, including Oribi. Many records are based on camera-trap surveys across Ingula’s grasslands, wetlands and forests, supported by a small-mammal study.Â
Ingula Nature Reserve is home to a diverse butterfly assemblage, with 69 listed species recorded. All are currently classified as Least Concern, although several are endemic or near–endemic.Â
Ingula Nature Reserve’s biodiversity list records 36 reptiles and amphibians, most classified as Least Concern, with several notable endemic and near-endemic taxa, including the Vulnerable Breyer’s Long-tailed Seps.Â
Ingula is home to an extraordinary fossil record, with 255-million-year-old plant and animal fossils discovered during construction revealing a unique window into life in the Late Permian, millions of years before the age of dinosaurs. Â
Download the factsheet here.Â
