By Roxanne Reid
It’s easy to fall in love with Ithala Game Reserve near Louwsberg in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and we did. You’ll find a scenic fusion of ancient rocks and cliffs, rivers, rolling hills and wildlife. Take a high-clearance vehicle or 4x4 to navigate the rugged thornveld, and discover some of these 10 things to do at Ithala Game Reserve.
It’s easy to fall in love with Ithala Game Reserve near Louwsberg in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and we did. You’ll find a scenic fusion of ancient rocks and cliffs, rivers, rolling hills and wildlife. Take a high-clearance vehicle or 4x4 to navigate the rugged thornveld, and discover some of these 10 things to do at Ithala Game Reserve.
1. Stay at the beautiful Ntshondwe resort for at least three nights in a thatched chalet. It's built into the natural landscape on a plateau at the foot of Ngotshe mountain. There’s a restaurant, info centre, shop, swimming pool and nature walks.
Ithala Game Reserve accommodation: Ntshondwe camp is carved into the natural landscape at the foot of a mountain; walk around to fully appreciate its beauty
2. Go on an early morning drive with a guide who can interpret the rocks, birds, trees and mammals that you see. A sundowner drive is a great way to experience the romance of an African sunset as well as to see nocturnal animals with the help of a spotlight.
3. Take a walk around Ntshondwe to enjoy the scenery, including the large boulders that fell from the cliffs above the camp hundreds of years ago. It’s a good chance to identify some of the trees of the area too, like euphorbias, acacias, wild figs and cabbage trees.
3. Take a walk around Ntshondwe to enjoy the scenery, including the large boulders that fell from the cliffs above the camp hundreds of years ago. It’s a good chance to identify some of the trees of the area too, like euphorbias, acacias, wild figs and cabbage trees.
See how many trees and plants you can identify
4. Go on a guided bush walk with a field ranger for a chance to see and learn about small things like birds, tracks and other signs of the bush. There’s always a chance of finding dangerous big game like elephant, rhino or buffalo, so keep quiet and listen to what your ranger tells you to do.
5. Listen to and absorb the sounds of the bush, from the chittering of small birds or the call of the painted reed frog to the braying of zebra and rumbling of elephants.
5. Listen to and absorb the sounds of the bush, from the chittering of small birds or the call of the painted reed frog to the braying of zebra and rumbling of elephants.
Zebra, giraffe, kudu, impala, wildebeest, eland, hartebeest, white rhino and elephant live in the reserve
6. Take a coolbox with you on your game drive and stop off at Onverwacht, Phongolo or Ngubhu for a picnic in the bush. Tables and benches, some shade and toilets are provided. Make sure you clean up after yourself and don’t leave food lying around for baboons or monkeys.
Take a game drive and stop off at one of the picnic sites for brunch
7. Enjoy a braai at your Ntshondwe chalet in the cool of the evening. Just be aware that Ithala has a fairly big population of vervet monkeys, so don’t leave the windows or doors of your chalet open or food where these clever and sneaky creatures can get to it.
8. Enjoy a meal on the deck overlooking the waterhole at Ntshondwe for a chance of seeing animals even while you’re in camp.
8. Enjoy a meal on the deck overlooking the waterhole at Ntshondwe for a chance of seeing animals even while you’re in camp.
Ntshondwe's restaurant overlooks a dam where elephant and antelope come to drink
9. If you enjoy basic rustic camping, book a site at Doornkraal. There’s a river along one side of the campsite where you can swim if water levels allow. You’ll also find flush loos, a hot bush shower, bush kitchen and communal dining area. Don’t expect luxury, but you’ll enjoy the feeling of being away from it all at this pristine unfenced site.
Ithala Game Reserve camping: if you like your campsites quiet and basic, with a chance of animals drifting through, Doornkraal is the place for you
10. Take some friends or family and book a couple of nights at one of Ithala’s bush lodges – Thalu or Mbizo in the west and Mhlangeni in the east. We got permission to go on the residents-only track to the Mhlangeni Bush Camp because there were no guests there. The camp is built between the rocks overlooking a river, just five two-bed chalets, a central kitchen/dining/lounge area and three ablutions, some with great views over the surrounding landscape. The setting and the privacy were fabulous, but the structures looked thirsty for a little wood sealer.
Mhlangeni Bush Camp sprawls in the spaces between rocks overlooking a river
For another 6 things to do at Ithala, see my post for ThisisKZN.
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Falling in love with Ithala Game Reserve
Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
Falling in love with Ithala Game Reserve
Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
