Location: South Africa » Kwazulu Natal » Zululand » Battlefields » Ithala Game ReserveIthala Game ReserveIthala Game Reserve Contact Details:
Reservations
Tel: 086 127 6237
Int. Tel: +27 51 924 0585 | DescriptionIthala has become a favourite with tour guides who are familiar with all the reserves in KwaZulu-Natal. It’s location makes the journey from Durban longer, but the rewards are astonishing to the national and international traveler alike. Overlooked by the Ngotshe Mountains, the deep valley is a game viewers paradise, with a spectacular array of wildlife species. Some of the oldest rock formations in the world are found at Ithala, dating 3,000 million years. There are also many sites with evidence of stone age man, dating 20,000 years. The altitude varies from 450m to 1450m, so there is a great variation in terrain, including lowveld, highveld, grassland plateaus, ridges and cliff faces. Ithala’s big game species include white rhino, black rhino, elephant, buffalo and notably giraffe so numerous that they have been selected as Ithala's logo. The absence of lion makes for a relaxed air among these animals and other game such as zebra , blue wildebeest and a wide variety of antelope. These include impala, oribi, red hartebeest, eland, kudu, waterbuck, tsessebe, common and mountain reedbuck, steenbok and grey duiker. Predators include spotted hyaena, brown hyaena, the elusive leopard and serval. Sightings of large birds at Ithala may include black eagles, lappet faced and whitebacked vultures, ostriches and secretary birds stalking across the veld. Ntshondwe Camp
'Winner of three consecutive AA Travel Guides & SAA Resort of the Year awards'
Virtually invisible until the moment of arrival, Ntshondwe, Ithala's main camp, is ingeniously camouflaged against a plateau at the foot of the cliffs of the Ngotshe mountain. Towering above the camp, horizontal contours of pink and russet sandstone offset vertically jagged spires of dolerite rock. These provide the ideal haven for raptors,their calls echoing from rock face to crevice as they soar into the sky in territorial display. Ntshondwe's 39 thatched chalets blend into a lush setting of acacias, wild figs, cabbage trees and other indigenous flora. A variety of self-catering chalets, with two to six beds each, some of which have being designed for use by the handicapped, are available, while 28 other chalets without catering facilities are geared for tour groups and conference delegates. These are situated around the visitors' centre which has a fully licensed restaurant, a bar and an open game viewing deck which overlooks a small pan. Other amenities include a swimming pool built around a giant rock , a fully- equipped conference centre, and an imaginatively stocked curio shop which also carries a range of basic provisions.
Ntshodwe Lodge Ntshondwe Lodge is one of the most spectacularly situated lodges in Africa, suspended on the edge of a cliff, boasting soaring mountains and sweeping vistas across the African plains. Set in the spectacular Ithala Game Reserve, which tumbles a thousand meters over 20 kilometers, from the heights of the Ngotshe Mountain into a deep valley carved by the Phongolo River. This six-bedded lodge has three spacious en-suite bedrooms, and a tiered lounge and dining room leading onto a covered deck with barbeque and plunge pool facilities, as well as a Jacuzzi, tucked away in a shady atrium. The lodge is centrally placed to explore the wildlife, history and cultural diversity of the reserve set in the spectacular vistas of rugged mountains, open plains and wild rivers. Ntshondwe Lodge is a self-catering facility that offers the services of a cook and an attendant to prepare the food you bring, so you can enjoy the natural splendour and tranquility of Ithala Game Reserve . Mhlangeni Bushcamp Set on a rocky outcrop overlooking a stream, the Mhlangeni bushcamp accommodates up to ten guests in five two-bed units. A central open-plan lounge and sun-deck offer excellent views, as do the showers! The services of an attendant are provided and a tour guide is available by prior arrangement to take guests on game walks. Mbizo Bushcamp Mbizo is ideally situated beside a series of rapids and pools near the spot where the Ngubhu and Mbizo rivers meet. A total of eight guests can be accommodated here, in two separate bush chalets constructed of wood , reed and thatch. Each has two bedrooms, it's own lounge, kitchen and viewing deck. The camp has two separate ablution facilities. The tariff includes the services of an attendant and tour guide to take guests on walks by prior arrangement. Thalu Bushcamp Thalu Bush Camp is tucked away at the foot of a steep slope on the banks of the Thalu river. A picturesque barbecue area overlooks a large pool in the river where swimming is permitted. Thalu accommodates four people in two bedrooms linked by a kitchen, lounge and viewing deck. An attendant is provided and a tour guide is available by prior arrangement to take visitors on game walks. Rates| Camp | Accommodation offered | Fee per adult | Fee per child < 12 | Minimum charge | | Ntshondwe | 1x6-bed Luxury lodge (subject to change) | R 750.00 | R 375.00 | R 2,250.00 | | | 4x2-bed chalets (Bachelor) | R 460.00 | R 230.00 | R 460.00 | | | 21x2-bed chalets | R 460.00 | R 230.00 | R 460.00 | | | 12x4-bed chalets | R 460.00 | R 230.00 | R 920.00 | | | 2x6-bed chalets | R 460.00 | R 230.00 | R 1,380.00 | | | 28x2-bed non self catering units | R 430.00 | R 215.00 | R 430.00 | | | D/B&B option available on request | | | | | Thalu Bushcamp | 1x4-bed bush camp | R 375.00 | R 375.00 | R 750.00 | | Mbizo Bushcamp | 1x8-bed bush camp | R 375.00 | R 375.00 | R 1,500.00 | | Mhlangeni | 1x10-bed bush camp | R 375.00 | R 375.00 | R 1,875.00 | | Doornkraal Campsite | Campsites (Accomodate a maximum of 20 people ; cold water showers only) * Note Campsite accommodation fee excludes park permit fee. | R 110.00 | R 55.00 | | | Aircraft Landing Fee (Park permit fee is additional) | <6 passengers | R 200.00 | R 200.00 | | | | >6 passengers | R 220.00 | R 220.00 | | | Collection Fee | <6 passengers | R 45.00 | R 45.00 | | | | >6 passengers | R 90.00 | R 90.00 | | | Trails/Tours/Walks/Rides (Children< 7 years are not permitted) | Guided walk (incl. drinks & snacks) | R 175.00 | | | | | Bivane trail (incl. guide, drinks & sandwiches | R 250.00 | R 125.00 | | | | Landrover tour (incl. finger lunch, fruite juice/beer) | R 375.00 | R 188.00 | | | | Game Drives (incl. sunset drinks) | R 190.00 | R 95.00 | | | Low Season ** | | Camp | Accommodation offered | Fee per adult | Fee per child < 12 | Minimum charge | | Ntshondwe Camp | 1x6-bed Luxury lodge (subject to change) | R 600.00 | R 300.00 | R 1,800.00 | | | 4x2-bed chalets (Bachelor) | R 325.00 | R 163.00 | R 325.00 | | | 21x2-bed chalets | R 325.00 | R 163.00 | R 325.00 | | | 12x4-bed chalets | R 325.00 | R 163.00 | R 650.00 | | | 2x6-bed chalets | R 325.00 | R 163.00 | R 975.00 | | | 28x2-bed non self catering units | R 300.00 | R 150.00 | R 300.00 | | | D/B&B option available on request |
DirectionsIthala Game Reserve is situated near Louwsburg in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
From Durban it is best reached via Eshowe and Melmoth to Vryheid.
From the Gauteng area the best approach is via Standerton, Volksrust and Utrecht to Vryheid.
From the north coast go via Pongola and Magudu.
From Pietermaritzburg travel via Ladysmith, Dundee and Vryheid. |
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