The Karkloof Nature Reserve was created in 1983 between private landowners in the area and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. The intention was to provide long-term protection to the highly-threatened forest area. The Reserve continues to expand the mist-belt grasslands and wetlands.
The Karkloof Nature Reserve is an important water catchment area.
In 2012 the Karkloof Private Nature Reserve was declared under The Protected Areas Act with its own Management Plan.
