Ithala Game Reserve

ithala game reserve

Directions to Ithala Game Reserve

Northern KwaZulu-Natal. From Vryheid travel north-east on the R69 to Louwsburg. The reserve is located immediately to the north-west of this village and stretches to the Pongola River. Visitors may also fly in to a landing strip in the reserve, where they will be collected by prior arrangement with the camp office.

 

Accommodation Bookings

For Ithala Game Reserve  Accommodation Bookings while overnighting at Ithala Game Reserve, please do drop us an email and we will gladly forward you availability and costs incurred.

Ithala Game Reserve Park Gate Entry Fees

Gate Entry Fees: R35.00 p/p children half price

Opening Times:

Summer Gate Times :

October to March 5 am to 7 pm

Winter Gate Times:

April to September 6 am 6 pm

Ithala Hikes and Safaris

Their are a few well marked hiking trails that will offer you some magnificent views and scenes. Please refrain from doing any walking trails at night, wild animals do enter the camps and therefore it is advised to be vigilant at all times.

The camp offers night drive safaris in open game drive vehicles please enquire at reception.

Ithala Game Reserve Information and History

bush camp 1

Ithala Game Reserve situated in 290 km2 of, mountainous thornveld, plus minus 400 km north of Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.The altitude varies considerably from 400 m along the Phongolo River to 1,450 m along the Ngotshe Mountain escarpment. The reserve encompasses a wide variation of terrain, from densely vegetated river valleys and lowveld to high-lying grassland plateaus, mountain ridges and cliff faces.

History

  • In the late 1800s land was given by King Dinizulu to boer farmers.
  • In 1973 the then Natal Parks Board started buying up farms in this area to make up this Reserve

Diversity is the key to Ithala Game Reserve. Proclaimed a nature reserve in 1973, the reserve has grown steadily with the addition of purchased land in adjoining areas.

 

impressive views from ithala

The reserve measures 29 653 ha in extent and is situated on the south bank of the Pongola River, about 70 km east of Vryheid. It is some 400 km north of Durban and 500 km from Johannesburg.

Apart from a wide selection of tourist facilities, Ithala Game Reserve offers a fascinating variety of terrain, habitats, mammals, birds and trees.

The reserve is also rich in history, having been continually occupied during major events of the 19th and 20th century, such as the reigns of Shaka and other Zulu kings, the arrival of the Voortrekkers in Natal, the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879, the Anglo-Boer wars (1880 - 1902) and the anti-nagana campaign of the 1920s.

Evidence of earlier occupation by middle stone age and iron age people can be seen.

The terrain is extremely rugged, rising from 400 m above sea level in the north to 1400 m above sea level in the south, near Louwsburg. Several rivers rise in or near the reserve, winding down steep river valleys to the Pongola River which forms the northern boundary.

The steep terrain made geological exploration easy and resulted in the establishment of two gold mines (now obsolete) in the early 1900s. The geological diversity which is a feature of the reserve has resulted in the production of a variety of soils and a rich diversity of vegetation.

In turn, each plant community hosts a wide selection of insects, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. We have compiled this booklet in order to enhance your visit and experience to Ithala.

It is by no means comprehensive but should provide sufficient information to whet your appetite.

Proclaimed to be 29 653 ha in extent, the reserve holds about 910 species of plant life. The vegetation types range from wetland or marsh, stream, bank and riverine thicket, to open savanna. It is thus not surprising that Itala has such a variety of fauna, with 80 mammal, 314 bird, 18 amphibian and 15 reptile species recorded. Because of its size, this reserve can carry a large mammal population. It is hoped that other species including more predators will be reintroduced in the future. Bush camps: three rustic bush camps available for hire. Thalu bush camp accommodates four people in a two-bedroomed reed and thatch unit, Mbizo bush camp accommodates eight people in two separate four-bedded units and Mhlangeni bush camp houses ten people in five two bedded units. Camps are fully equipped but visitors need to bring their own food and torches. Ntshodwe camp - accommodation for 172 visitors in 39 self-catering, fully equipped chalets. Conference centre with accommodation for 56 delegates. Campsite there is a small rustic camp ground. No caravan facilities.

Information and content supplied by KZN Ezemvelo and WikiPedia

Ithala Game Reserve offers a true getaway nestled in real African bush. This reserve is not only incredible in offering some magnificent sights but more history and times gone by. 

 

Ithala Game Reserve Map

ithala reserve map

Ithala Game Reserve Lodge and Camp Accommodation

  • Ntshondwe Camp
  • Ntshondwe Lodge
  • Mbizo Bush Camp

 

Ntshondwe Camp

Ntshondwe Camp / Ithala Game Reserve

This camp is the main accommodation area within Ithala Game Reserve with 67 Thatched rondavels and one main luxury lodge.

On Offer:

- Shop & Curio Shop
- Restaurant
- Pub
- Coffee shop
- Secluded Boma
- Pool
- Sun deck

 

Ithala Game Reserve Chalets

Ntshondwe Lodge Video Clip

ithala game reserve Mbizo Bush Camp

Mbizo Bush Camp / Ithala Game Reserve

This camp consists of only 2 Units sleeping a total of 8 clients, each unit can accommodate 4 people. Ideal for a family retreat. Do not forget those hiking shoes for the numerous hikes.

ithala game reserve views

 

Testimonials

Ithala Game Reserve is not on the, "big", reserve map and does not accommodate Lion but for me is one of the best reserves to which I have been. The variety of, "biospheres", from tropical to almost alpine is amazing and many varieties of game abound, including leopard which I managed to photograph. The chalets at Ntshondwe Camp are comfortably

- Colin

Ithala offers beautiful varied scenery, good game viewing and interesting geological formations. An overnight stay is recommended and there is a variety of accommodation options available inside the reserve, ie from basic camping to a luxury lodge.

- Bertus

There is no better park to go and relax and enjoy the magnificent beauty of nature. We stayed at Doornkraal campsite for 4 nights and were delighted by the clean and neat and well maintained campsite.

- Erica

impressive views from ithala