The magnificent Ithala Game Reserve is a game viewer's paradise. It includes the heights of the Ngotshe Mountains and the valleys of the Phongolo River – a height difference of approximately 1000 meters. It is located 30 km east of Vryheid and is close to the town of Louwsburg in the Midlands of Kwazulu Natal. This prime game-viewing venue was established in 1972. It is about 30 000 ha in size. It is situated in a rugged, mountainous area with jagged dolerite cliffs. Its name was therefore derived from the Zulu word iThala which means "the shelf". Six rivers flow through the Ithala Game Reserve to join the major river in the area – the Pongola (Phongolo) River.
Some of the oldest rock formations on earth are found here, dating back to
3 000 million years. A stone age tool, spear heads and evidence of iron smelting and gold mining was found in the region.The vegetation of this hilly area is mainly grassveld and bush veld (thorn veld) and the area hosts about 75 mammal species.
The Ithala Game Reserve is home to Kwazulu Natal's only herds of Tsessebe. Large concentrations of klipspringer, crocodile, leopard, cheetah, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, giraffe, zebra, eland, kudu, white and black rhino as well as warthog occur in the park.
Fish eagles, Wahlberg's eagles, martial eagles, black eagles, southern banded snake eagles and black-breasted snake-eagles are among the birds of prey that can be found in the Ithala Game Reserve. The threatened bald ibis is now breeding in Ithala.
The Ntshondwe Lodge takes its name from a peak overlooking the park. Ntshondwe Lodge is Ithala's multi-award winning camp. Two bush camps – Mbizo and Thalo provide private accommodation. Activities include the visiting of Zulu Kraals (and beer tasting), tours of historical interest and gold mining history, and conservation awareness sessions such as game walks and game drives in the Ithala Game Reserve. |
