History of the Forest
The Marutswa Forest Boardwalk is built on an old logging site used in the late 1800s and is named after a local Zulu Man ‘Mahustjwa’ who harvested Sneezewood trees to sell as railway sleepers. The lower walk of the contour trail is part of the old logging route which was used by oxen and mules to drag timber for sale in Durban and Pietermaritzburg.

Objective

The Marutswa Forest Trail & Boardwalk, located close to the quaint country village of Bulwer on the R617, is a joint initiative between the SappiWWF TreeRoutes Partnership. Local conservation group, The Bulwer Biosphere. BirdLife South Africa and the Southern KZN Birding Route have incorporated the site into the route.

It is a wonderful testament to the power of local people in co-operation with both the business and wildlife communities in their combined determination to conserve and encourage more interest in our eco – heritage.

Our intentions are that the Marutswa Forest Boardwalk will profile and promote the conservation of Bulwerâ’s unique biodiversity by supporting eco-tourism and eco education initiatives that will in turn lead to the conservation of threatened forest habitats.

The project has so far provided 3 full time jobs for local community members as custodians of the project, as well as a welcome platform for local crafters to sell their original and unusual handicrafts from.

The Forest

The site comprises a network of arterial trails leading into the indigenous forest, where there are a number of lookout jetties boardwalk sections , picnic sites decks and view points, allowing visitors to view the various layers of the forest, including the canopy.

Biodiversity

Birds. Marutswa Forest has been described by some of the South Africa’s top birding tour operators as one of the most active mist-belt forests in KwaZulu-Natal.
The forest is home to a vast number of rare and interesting birds. Cape Parrots, sadly endangered and dwindling in numbers in South Africa are attracted by the seeds, and the nesting potential of the plentiful yellow wood trees and are often found in flocks of up to 100 birds in the forest.

Specials to look out for are Cape Parrot, Orange Ground-Thrush, African Crowned Eagle, Bush Blackcap, White- starred Robin, Buff-spotted Flufftail, Narina Trogon, Grey Cuckooshrike, Yellow-throated Woodland-Warbler, Crowned and Southern -Ground Hornbill.

Mammals
Attracted to the pristine forest habitat Bush Buck and Reed Buck are frequent visitors to the forest, as are a herd of Bush Pig that freely forage. Rock Dassies have been seen and the call of the Tree Dassie has also been heard in the forest. Very recently Mongooses were also seen around the forest boardwalk. Natal dwarf chameleons and several species of buttefly such as the emperor swallowtail can also be found.

Trees
Within the forest there are a number of very large and old Yellowwoods of about the same age and size, surviving simultaneously because they were too small to harvest for logging during the late 1800s. On the upper contour of the walk you will also be enchanted by the very ancient vines that twine and spread through the tree canopies for miles on end.

You will also encounter amongst many other Tree species:

· Cabbage trees

· White Ironwood

· Knobwood

· Black Stink wood

· Sneezewood

· Lemonwood

· Wild Currant

· Wild Quince

· Tree Fuschia

Plants
The forest hosts a rich selection of wild plants and grasses, including;A large variety of ferns ,wild lilies including the ‘Paint brush’, Ground and tree orchids, Wild Dagga and wild iris. The forest has just opened it’s indigenous nursery where you can find well priced plants and tree saplings.

Craft and coffee shop

The Marustwa craft shop is truly an Aladdins cave of treasure, filled with interesting and unusual items made by crafters from the surrounding communities, you will find beautifully made baskets, pots, wire, and woven gifts as well as jewellery and carvings. A purchase at the shop helps support a local family,.

Stop and have a light snack at the forest café or join us for one of our delicious and poetic candle lit suppers for an owl hunt or chameleon spotting,

Catering and picnics

Why not end your visit to the forest with a picnic with a group of friends,with a children’s treasure hunt or a braai curry a potjie around the firepit. The Marutswa Forest is always happy to specially cater for groups when booked in advance .

Office Opening Times: 6am – 4pm (7 days a week including public holidays) honesty box after hours

Entrance fee:

· R20 Adults

· R5 scholars

· Pre school children free

Accredited birding and cultural tour guide available on request tel: : 071 471 8993/0735438545

Large parties catered for with pleasure. bulwerbiosphere@gmail.com for your advance booking

CCraft craft and coffee shop: 071 419 5238

From King Shaka Airport

Travel Time approx 2 hours.

From Pietermaritzburg Oribi International

Travel time approx 1 hour.

Howick approx 45 mins on the R617

GPS Coordinates (decimals)
Lat: S 29°48.465′
Lon: E 29°47.053′

bulwerbiosphere@gmail.com

Opening Times: 06h00 – 16h00

(Honesty box after hours)

Tel: (++27) 071 471 8993

Photo Credits: Mike Cowell, Ria Fokkems