Wildlife Parks
Ithala
This magnificent reserve, tumbling from the heights of the Ngotshe Mountains a thousand meters down into a deep valley, carved over the eons by the Phongolo River revealing the world's oldest rock formations, is a game viewers paradise.
Situated in the rugged, mountainous thornveld of northern KwaZulu-Natal, the reserve's multitude of habitats host a spectacular array of wildlife species.
Its scenic beauty aside, Ithala's most characteristic feature is perhaps its astonishing geological diversity. Some of the oldest rock formations in the world are found here, dating back 3 000 million years.
With a topographic profile varying from 400m above sea level in the north to 1 450m near Louwsberg in the south, Ithala's terrain extends over lowveld and densely vegetated riverine valleys to high-lying grassland plateaus, ridges and cliff faces.
Ithala has provided the setting for many historic events, from Shaka's reign and those of successive Zulu kings, to a number of gold mining enterprises in the early years of the 20th Century.
Ithala has an excellent auto trail to facilitate visitor's game viewing, and a notated guide booklet is available in the shop at Ntshondwe, Ithala's superbly designed, multi-award winning camp.
Accommodation
Ntshondwe Camp
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.
The visitors' centre 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.
Ntshondwe Luxury Lodge - 6 beds
This exclusive luxury lodge offers complete privacy in spectacular surroundings. It accommodates six guests in three bedrooms with bathrooms en-suite, and has a small swimming pool, a sun deck and barbeque area overlooking the valley below.
- 3 luxurious en-suite bedrooms sleeping six
- Lounge and a dining room which leads out onto a broad covered deck
- Deck has a small plunge pool and a discreet Jacuzzi tucked away in a shady atrium
Chalet - 2, 4 and 6 bed
- Lounge/dining area
- Fully appointed kitchens
- Private bathroom
- Some designed for use by the handicapped
Chalets - 2 bed
- Non self-catering, making use of restaurant
- Geared for tour groups and conference delegates
Thalu Bush Camp
Thalu Bush Camp is tucked away at the foot of a steep slope on the banks of the Thalu river. A picturesque barbeque area overlooks a large pool in the river where swimming is permitted as the rivers in Ithala are belhazia free.
- 2 bedrooms with en suite bathrooms - 4 beds
- central lounge, kitchen and viewing deck
- self catering
Mbizo Bush Camp
Stretching along the west bank of the Mbizo river, this atmospheric camp lends itself to relaxation in the African bush or walking into the surrounding hills with the field ranger to experience animals in their natural habitat or see the rare Protea comptonii high above the camp. Swim in the rapids and pools as the rivers in Ithala are bilharzias free.
- 2 separate bush chalets
- Each chalets has 2 bedrooms - 4 bed
- Own lounge, kitchen and viewing deck
- Own separate bathroom with showers with a view
- Self catering
Mhlangeni Bush Camp
Set high on a granite boulder koppie, the sun deck, lounge and bedrooms of this special bush camp all look down across the savannah like expanse of the Ncence valley to the bush lined river. The Valley is a haven for black and white rhino, giraffe and a variety of large antelope and there is a constant moving panorama of African wildlife to delight visitors.
- 5 separate units
- Each unit - 2 bed
- Own private bathrooms with showers with a view
- Central open plan lounge, dining room and sun deck
Facilities
- Restaurant and bar
- Petrol and diesel
- Conferences
- Day and night game drives, walking trails.
- Shop offering curios and a range of supplies.
Extra Information
- The nearest town which has a full range of services is Vryheid which is 69 kms away.
- Pets are not permitted into the reserve
- Bush camps and lodges only cater for one party at a time so for the period of your stay it becomes your home in the African bush.
Gate Times
| Gate Times | Summer (Nov-Feb) |
Winter (Mar-Oct ) |
| Gates Open | 05:00 | 06:00 |
| Gates Close | 19:00 | 18:00 |
Office Hours
The office is open from 07h00 to 19h30
Check in / out
Check Out Time: 10h00
Check In Time: 14h00
