The Ohlanga River is a river in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, which empties into the Indian Ocean just north of uMhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, north of Durban.[2] The river has extensive reed beds in the estuary at its mouth,[3] which is only 7 km further southwest from the mouth of the Mdloti River.[4] Presently this river is part of the Mvoti to Umzimkulu Water Management Area.[5]

Ohlanga River uMhlanga (in Zulu), Umhlanga, Mhlanga
Location of the Ohlanga River mouth
Etymology	Named after the Zulu word for "reed"[1]
Location
Country	South Africa
Region	KwaZulu-Natal
Physical characteristics
Mouth	Indian Ocean
• location	North of Umhlanga Rocks
• coordinates	29°42′9″S 31°6′0″E
• elevation	0 m (0 ft)
Length	28 km (17 mi)

Umhlanga conservancy

At the river's mouth, there is a lagoon, surrounded by the Umhlanga Conservancy. This area includes a 26 hectares (64 acres) Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve,[6] and a waste treatment works which is publicly accessible.[3] This area contains bushbuck, blue and grey duiker, and numerous birds, including the southernmost occurrence of crested guineafowl.[6]

Huberta, the hippopotamus

Huberta, the celebrity hippopotamus, stopped at the river on her way down the coast from the St Lucia Estuary to the Eastern Cape. An attempt was made to capture her while she was there.

See also

• List of rivers of South Africa
• List of estuaries of South Africa

References

External links

• KZN Wildlife page on the Umhlanga Lagoon nature reserve
• South African Birding page on bird species in the Umhlanga Conservancy
• Satellite view of the river

Media related to Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve at Wikimedia Commons