It protects an interesting diversity of habitats including coastal, riparian and dune forests as well as grassland, Lala palm savannah, an estuary, as well as several small freshwater pans. Given this high habitat diversity, an impressive list of well over 300 bird species may be seen within the reserve. Access is via two roads, a 4×4 trail and several hiking trails which cover all areas of the reserve.

The most productive area to explore is the Amatikulu 4×4 trail, the first portion of which may be covered in a normal car with average ground clearance. The first stretch meanders through grassland habitats where Croaking Cisticola, Rufous-naped Lark, and Plain-backed Pipit may all be seen. Cuckoo-finch is an irregular visitor when grasses come to abundant seed and is best detected in the summer months when the males attain their brilliant golden plumage. Black Coucal has also been reported in the wetter years, when the grasses grow taller. Near the edges of marshy pans, look for the Swamp Nightjar, which is regularly heard calling at night. Other notable species in this marshy habitat include the Black Crake, African Swamphen, Common Moorhen, Dwarf Bitten (in wet years), and Marsh Owl. The pans with standing water attract African Spoonbill, African Jacana, and various ducks and geese, herons and cormorants.

As one approaches the open savannah and woodland, listen for the loud advertising calls of the Lesser Honeyguide and Red-throated Wryneck. After 1.7km, the road then follows the fence closely before dropping down a rather steep and sandy slope (where 4×4 is required). Search this area for both the White-fronted Bee-eater and European Roller (summer). As one drops into the coastal forests, listen for the ringing calls of the aptly-named Gorgeous Bush-shrike. This species occurs commonly alongside the Olive and Orange-breasted Bush-shrikes, though perseverance is required to see these skulking species. Other species to look for in the coastal thickets include the Green Twinspot, Green Malkoha, White-browed and Red-capped Robin-chats, Spotted Ground Thrush (winter), and Scaly-throated Honeyguide.

Once the forested sections open into bushveld, look for the White-browed Scrub-robin, Emerald-spotted Wood Dove, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Long-billed Crombec, African Firefinch, Purple-banded Sunbird, and Rattling Cisticola. This area of the reserve is usually extremely rewarding and may deliver forest species mingling among the savannah species. Areas with Lala palms may produce the Black-bellied Korhaan. Attempt to find the giraffe and zebra in this area as they are usually accompanied by Red-billed Oxpeckers. Although 25 species of raptor, including Crowned Eagle, African Cuckoo Hawk and Jackal Buzzard, have been recorded, they are surprisingly scarce. Aside from African Fish Eagle, Black Sparrowhawk or Yellow-billed Kite, the bird one is most likely to see soaring high on thermals is Woolly-necked Stork.

The forest trail is similarly excellent, but quite long and is therefore best done during the early morning, thus conflicting with the 4×4 trail, which is also best early in the day. Some of the highlights of the forest include very southerly Eastern Nicator, Blue-mantled Crested-Flycatcher, African Emerald Cuckoo (summer), Green Malkoha and Tambourine and Lemon Doves. The trail opens up on top of a tall dune where a whale watchtower is provided. The views from this watch point are superb and aside from the occasional whale, one might spy a Western Osprey quartering over the Nyoni River.

The picnic site, which is located along the Amatikulu River, is a great lunch site. African Cuckoo has been seen in the tall trees and forest edge here in the summer months. This is also the most reliable place in the reserve to look for Black-throated Wattle-eye and African Pygmy Kingfisher. Great White and Pink-backed Pelicans are sometimes present on the sandbanks in the middle of the river, as are waders such as Sanderling, Common Greenshank and Common Ringed Plover during summer. Giant and Pied Kingfishers are common and there is almost always a solitary Goliath Heron hunting in the middle of the channel. The riverwalk often yields Eastern Golden Weaver, Purple-banded Sunbird, Gorgeous Bush-shrike and Olive Bush-shrike (winter) and eventually reaches the confluence of the Nyoni and Amatikulu Rivers. The Nyoni River is lined with dense hibiscus trees and a canoe-trip up the river may yield African Finfoot and Half-collared Kingfisher.

The rocky hillside to the left of the entrance gate, which can be reached via the education camp road or walking trail, can yield Striped Pipit.

Key species:

Gorgeous Bush-shrike, Black Coucal, Goliath Heron, Yellow-throated Longclaw, Green Malkoha, Green Twinspot