Context <p>Repeated surveys to investigate mammalian assemblages at the landscape level are crucial to understanding how natural ecosystems function and regulate over time.</p> Objectives <p>We assessed mammalian species richness and occupancy changes across selected protected areas (PAs) in northern KwaZulu-Natal in the Maputaland Conservation Unit, South Africa.</p> Methods <p>We collected data using 366 camera traps during 2013–2014 and 2022–2023, consisting of 183 camera trap sites covering four PAs (iSimangaliso Wetland Park, incorporating Eastern Shores, Western Shores, and False Bay PAs, and Tembe Elephant Park) that varied in size, habitat diversity and disturbance levels. Our study assessed whether changes in mammalian species richness and occupancy occur across protected areas in northern KwaZulu-Natal, relative to biotic drivers (habitat and path type) in protected areas over two independent survey cycles using a multi-species occupancy model. We applied the Royle–Nichols multi-session multi-species hierarchical model to estimate species richness and occupancy dynamics of 39 mammalian species for different PAs while accounting for imperfect detection.</p> Results <p>Species richness increased with PA size across both camera trap cycles. Two PAs (False Bay and Western Shores) experienced major declines in estimated species richness compared with the previous study. Mammalian community richness remained relatively stable. Notable shifts in mammal occupancy for eight species and detection for ten species over two survey periods were found, reflecting changes in habitat composition and potential pressures from poaching and human activities. Eight mammalian species showed marked increases in detection, while others, hippopotamus (<i>Hippopotamus amphibius</i>) and serval (<i>Leptailurus serval</i>), experienced declines. Occupancy pattern shifts were present, with some species increasing in occupancy, particularly in habitats such as grasslands and forests, while cane rats (<i>Thryonomys swinderianus</i>) and white rhinoceroses (<i>Ceratotherium simum</i>) showed significant declines.</p> Conclusions <p>Our results suggest that habitat composition changes, particularly the expansion or reduction of specific habitats (e.g., grasslands, forests), influenced species occupancy trends, with more generalist species adapting to broader habitat types and specialist species experiencing occupancy reductions based on habitat specificity. Additionally, poaching was widespread in sections near the Western Shores fence line. Management should intensify antipoaching resources in hotspot areas (security and ranger patrols) to reduce illegal hunting within the reserve. Our multi-species, multi-season models revealed the resilience and stability of terrestrial mammals in PAs within the Maputaland Conservation Unit, KwaZulu-Natal. Through a systematic survey approach, we emphasise the value of long-term monitoring for tracking large-scale population trends in this ecologically and economically significant region.</p>