South Africa's Ithala Game Reserve

Useful Information

History

Even though Ithala Game Reserve was only established in 1973, the anthropogenic history of the area dates back thousands of years. The first inhabitants we know of were the San. Stone tools are still scattered across the park and rock paintings can be seen in the eastern part of the reserve. They might have been here as many as 20,000 years ago. More recent occupants were Iron Age communities able to work iron from banded iron formations using clay furnaces to forge tools and weapons.

In 1884, Zulu King Dinizulu granted more than 1.1 million hectares to 800 Boers after 115 volunteers helped the Zulu in conflict. Subsequent white settlement and the 1896 rinderpest epidemic devastated wildlife. After gold discoveries in the early 20th century, two mines operated: Wonder Mine produced 147 kg of gold (1910–1933), and Vergelegen (later Eureka) produced 129 kg by 1915.

Wildlife

Ithala Game Reserve hosts four Big Five animals, except for lion. There is a relatively good chance of spotting white rhino and occasionally elephant and buffalo. With some luck, one might even come across black rhino, but sightings of leopard are infrequent. cheetah occur but are not seen frequently. Ithala is home to the very rare brown hyena. The elegant serval can be found hunting rodents in the early morning and late afternoon. Ithala is also home to the fastest-running antelope, tsessebe, and the petite oribi often spotted in pairs.

Other grazers one might encounter are impala, red hartebeest, blue wildebeest, reedbuck, zebra, and eland. Browsers include duiker, bushbuck, nyala, kudu, and giraffe. Most of these species give birth in late spring or early summer. More than 300 bird species have been documented here. Common birds include ostrich, Shelley’s francolin, purple-crested turaco, and red-billed oxpecker. The reserve also hosts southern bald ibis, Cape vulture, and Verreaux's eagle.

Vegetation & Terrain

Ithala is diverse, with riverine valleys and forests that spill into dense thickets and grasslands. It consists of no fewer than 13 vegetation clusters. An impressive 320 tree species are documented in the area.

The area also boasts a broad geological range, including gorges carved by the Phongolo River in the north and the Ngotshe Mountains in the south. Granite outcrops and widespread cliffs are accentuated by thornveld, woodlands, floodplains, and grasslands seen in the Ngubu Basin below. The rugged terrain rises to 1,450 m above sea level and encompasses rock formations that are millions of years old.

Activities

Ithala is ideal for a tranquil breakaway. Nestled between the Ngotshe Mountains, one cannot help but imagine what it feels like to be an eagle. Enjoy the scenery from your lodge or one of the many picnic spots created for this purpose. Game drives led by experienced rangers are an excellent way to get to know the wildlife. The availability of self-guided and guided walks ensures guests can immerse themselves in the finer details of the habitat. Night drives are also available and are a great way to view predators that hunt after dark.

Grabbing a bite on the deck overlooking the Ntshondwe waterhole or barbecuing at one of the picnic spots turns any meal into an experience. For the more active adventurer, trekking through lush forests in search of waterfalls will keep your blood flowing, and the reward at the end is worth it. Guests can also visit cultural sites, such as historic smelting locations where iron was processed centuries ago.