The area is drained by a number of rivers, the most important of which is the mBashe River. The climate is humid and temperate. The reserve receives an average rainfall of 870 mm p.a., which falls mostly in spring and early summer. The annual average minimum and maximum temperatures are 15 °C and 20 °C respectively. Because of the maritime influence, there is little diurnal or seasonal variation in the temperature.

Biogeographically, Dwesa–Cwebe is situated in the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, which extends along the eastern seaboard of Africa from south-eastern Somalia to Port Elizabeth. Growing on well-drained but poor soils derived from tillite, the vegetation here is typical of edaphic coastal plateau sour grasslands that constitute part of the Tongaland–Pondoland Mosaic. The grasses are low in nutrient content and are of little agricultural value to commercial or subsistence farmers. Small forest patches exist in the river gorges and on the coastal sand dunes. The coastal zone is situated at the southern limit of the East African mangrove belt, which is quite extensive along the coast.

More than 200 bird species are known from the Dwesa & Cwebe Nature Reserve. The region is ranked as an IBA for the global conservation value of a breeding population of Spotted Ground Thrush, as well as a population of Red data listed African Black Oystercatcher and Knysna Woodpecker. The coastal mangroves support the only protected breeding population of Mangrove kingfisher, though they migrate north for the winter. The best time to see Mangrove kingfisher here is thus in summer, with the added benefit that the birds are very vocal from September – April, making them easier to find! Also vocal during the summer are the migrant cuckoos, with African Emerald & Black Cuckoos being especially noticeable. Other forest specials include the Trumpeter Hornbill, Narina Trogon, Knysna Turaco, Chorister Robin-chat, Grey Cuckooshrike, White-starred Robin, Brown Scrub-robin, Yellow-streaked Greenbul, Common Square-tailed Drongo, Blue-mantled Crested Flycatcher, Olive Bush-shrike, Swee Waxbill and Forest canary. The road to the Dwesa office is most productive, though the forest around the chalets and campsites is also worth exploring!

Look carefully along the banks of quiet stretches of river for Mountain Wagtail, African Finfoot and the beautiful Half-collared Kingfisher – the Mbanayana River causeway in Cwebe is a good place to stop. Crowned Eagle and Narina Trogon occur in the vicinity of the causeway. African Wood Owl can often be heard in the early evenings. Along the forest edges or in grassy clearings look for Barratt’s Warbler, Forest Canary, Southern Tchagra, Olive and Grey Sunbirds, Red-backed Mannikin and Swee Waxbill.

As you move away from the coast and into the grasslands, in particular the moist grasslands to the east of the campsite, look for Croaking Cisticola and the resident pair of Grey Crowned Cranes. Swamp Nightjar is suspected to occur. Other grassland to look for include the Denham’s Bustard and Southern Ground Hornbill. A walk around the grassy areas at Dwesa office should reveal Plain-backed Pipit, Wailing Cisticola, Broad-tailed Warbler (Fan-tailed Grassbird) and Yellow-throated Longclaw.

Mammals that can be seen in the reserve include the Common Eland, Blue Wildebeest, Red Hartebeest, Common Warthog, Cape Clawless Otter and Cape Buffalo. Other notable species include the coastal forest–grassland mosaic may support the South African endemic Giant Golden Mole, Zulu Golden Mole, Forest Shrew and the Least Dwarf Shrew, all of which occur within the general vicinity. The South African endemic Natal Black Snake and Southern Brown Egg Eater are known to occur in the reserve. The area is also particularly rich in highly localised endemic frogs and Yellow-striped Reed Frog, Forest Tree Frog, Plaintive Rain Frog and Kloof Frog have all been recorded in the reserve. Knysna Leaf-folding Frog, Natal Chirping Frog and Bush Squeaker all occur along this coastal strip and possibly also in Dwesa–Cwebe.

Key species:

Knysna Woodpecker, African Finfoot, Narina Trogon, Spotted Ground Thrush, Mangrove Kingfisher, Yellow-streaked Greenbul