Habitat:
The vegetation varies from large patches of high-altitude Afromontane forest in the valleys; to forest-related bush clumps along the edge of the escarpment; to open tree savanna; to montane grassveld on the open exposed slopes.

Birds:
This is the only site in South Africa that supports breeding Taita Falcon.  One pair of the critically endangered Blue Swallow still breed here, and occasionally additional birds are found foraging or moving through the area.  The cliffs of Manoutsa hold over 660 pairs of the vulnerable Cape Vulture, making it the world's fourth largest colony.  The gorges also hold breeding pairs of the Black Stork and Peregrine Falcon (both near-threatened species), as well as the Cape Eagle Owl.

The quiet backwaters of the river support the vulnerable Pel's Fishing Owl, Whitebacked Night Heron and African Finfoot, and the near-threatened Halfcollared Kingfisher. The surrounding grassland supports the endangered Blackrumped Buttonguail; the vulnerable Striped Flufftail, Stanley's Bustard, Blue Crane, Ground Hornbill, Grass Owl and Bald Ibis (which breed within the reserve along the cliff gorges); the near-threatened Secretarybird; as well as the Buffstreaked Chat.  Gurney's Sugarbird occur on the protea shrubs on the hillslopes.

The forest and forest edge supports the near-threatened Crowned Eagle, Orange Thrush and Bush Blackcap, as well as Forest Buzzard, Buffspotted Flufftail, Cinnamon Dove, Knysna Lourie, Barratt's Warbler, Olive Bush Shrike, Chorister Robin, Brown Robin, Swee Waxbill and Forest Canary.  The near-threatened Bat Hawk has been recorded in the thick riverine woodland and it is possible that the vulnerable Delegorgue's Pigeon still exists here.  The vulnerable Martial Eagle is frequently seen soaring over bushveld dominated parts of the reserve, which also holds Whitethroated Robin and Gorgeous Bush Shrike.

Other common sightings include Grey Cuckooshrike, Kurrichane Thrush, Starred Robin, Yellowthroated Warbler and Whitebellied Sunbird.
 

Habitat:
The terrain consists mainly of gently undulating sour grassveld with some hilly terrain, rocky outcrops and sheer cliffs.  Shrub thickets occur along the rivers and patches of fynbos elements are also present.  Isolated forest are restricted to the valleys.  Encroachment by exotic plantation trees is a common site.

Birds:
These two fragmented grassland patches hold the second largest population of breeding Blue Swallow in South Africa.  The vulnerable Stanley's Bustard and Ground Hornbill, as well as other grassland species such as the Buffstreaked Chat and the near-threatened Blackwinged Plover and Broadtailed Warbler occur here.

The protea shrubs are hosts to Gurney's Sugarbird.  Swee Waxbill and Forest Canary are fairly common sightings. The endangered Blackrumped Buttonguail and the vulnerable Striped Flufftail may also occur on this site.
 

Habitat:
This site consists of a patchwork of commercial plantations that still hold superb patches of fragmented indigenous forest, as well as some remaining grassland and sheer cliffs.  Other habitat types include rocky outcrops, gullies, streams, mountain slopes and patches of fynbos.

Birds:
This area is important for some cliff-nesting species, such as the near-threatened Black Stork and Peregrine Falcon.  The rivers running through the area support small populations of the vulnerable Whitebacked Night Heron and African Finfoot.

The remaining grasslands hold a relatively large population of the vulnerable Ground Hornbill.  Other grassland specials include the endangered Blackrumped Buttonguail and the vulnerable Striped Flufftail.  Buffstreaked Chat also occur in the grasslands, whilst Gurney's Sugerbird are found in association with protea shrubs.

The forest patches are the most interesting natural habitat within the complex, supporting  the near-threatened Crowned Eagle, Orange Thrush and Bush Blackcap as well as Forest Buzzard, Knysna Lourie, Chorister Robin, Brown Robin, Barratt's Warbler, Swee Waxbill and Forest Canary.

Other species include the vulnerable Grass Owl and Ground Hornbill, and the near-threatened Ground Woodpecker, Blackwinged Plover, Halfcollared Kingfisher and Broadtailed Warbler. Rare visitors to the area include the critically endangered Blue Swallow, the vulnerable Bald Ibis, the near-threatened Secretarybird and the Blackbellied Glossy Starling.