Ithala Game Reserve: Elephant Coast Travel, Elephant Coast Tourism

Elephant Coast Travel

Ithala Game Reserve

This magnificent reserve 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.

The area now proclaimed as Ithala has been occupied by man for thousands of years and there are many sites littered with stone age spear and axe heads dating back some 20,000 years. There has even been a middle stone age tool discovered by archaelogists which pushes the date back to anything up to 250,000 years.

More recently, in the last few hundred years, with the advent of the Nguni people, iron smelting took place in Ithala and there are a number of smelting sites adjacent to deposits of banded ironstone which was crushed to provide the iron ore.

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.

ACTIVITIES

Ithala has an astonishing range of landscapes and habitats from the highland sourveld grasslands at the top of the Ngotshe Mountains to the Bushveld and Forest along the Phongola River a thousand metres below. Characterized by deep bush filled valleys and gorges with clear streams cascading over numerous waterfalls into deep pools, and expansive grassy plateaus with large herds of plains game such as blue wildebeest tssessebe and red hartebeest, Ithala offers a wealth of activities for visitors.

SELF-GUIDED WALKING TRAILS:

A number of self-guided trails traverse the wooded mountainside above Ntshondwe camp, inviting guests to enjoy glimpses of the indigenous wildlife while stretching their legs. The sight of black rhino and elephant droppings along a path adds a rush of adrenaline to the experience.Rhino occasionally enter the camp at night,therefore visitors are advised to exercise caution when walking around the camp at night.

DAY AND NIGHT DRIVES:

Day and night drives are conducted in open viewing vehicles and are a popular tourist attraction in the reserve. These can be booked at Ntshondwe camp office.

SELF-GUIDED AUTO TRAILS:

Ithala has a number of well laid out auto trails with markers at points of interest.These enable visitors to discover and appreciate aspects of the reserves fascinating wildlife and geology in the comfort of their own vehicles. Driving along these routes one is constantly struck by the wide range of habitats which support a large biodiversity of plant, bird and animal life in the reserve.

PICNIC SITES:

Picnic sites are situated in several scenic spots which offer spectacular views and are ideal for game watching. These all have barbecue facilities and toilets.

GUIDED WALKS:

Visitors to Ntshondwe and to the Bushcamps may hire a field ranger for half a day or a full day and go walking in various parts of the reserve to view wildlife, rock formations or just to swim in one of the crystal clear river pools.

Source: South African Tourism

Towns and Regions in Elephant Coast
Richards Bay, Ulundi, Melmoth, Mkuze, Hluhluwe, St Lucia, Kosi Bay, Ndumo, Pongola, Umfolozi, Mtunzini, Maputoland, Sodwana Bay, Zululand towns

Hotels in Elephant Coast - Show all accommodation in Elephant Coast »»
	Phinda Mountain Lodge From $310 per person per night	Phinda Mountain Lodge lies within the Phinda Private Game Reserve overlooking the Lebombo Mountains and bushveld. Little can compare to Phinda’s exciting range of safari activities. Phinda also offers a range of optional thrilling Indian Ocean adventures from scuba diving and deep-sea fishing to spectacular air safaris.

	Mkuze Falls Tented Lodge From $213 per person per night	Mkuze Falls Tented Lodge is for an adventurous experience in five 'Hemingway' style East African Tents, each overlooking the Mkuze River. Each tent is air-conditioned and has a private game viewing deck. Starlit evenings are enjoyed in the boma surrounded by the sounds of the Zulu drumbeat.

	Phinda Vlei Lodge From $392 per person per night	Phinda Vlei Lodge is an intimate and elegant lodge situated within the Phinda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, overlooking the vlei where you’re likely to observe herds of grazing antelope, zebra and a dazzling variety of birdlife. Enjoy a great variety of fantastic safari activities.

	Show all accommodation in Elephant Coast »»

Car hire
	Toyota Avanza 1.5SX or Similar (IDMR) (Richards Bay)
	Hyundai Tucson 2x4 or Similar (IFMR) (Richards Bay)
	VW Golf Chico or Similar (EDMN) (Richards Bay)
	Mercedes Benz C180 or Similar (PDAR) (Richards Bay)
	Toyota Avensis or Similar (SDAR) (Richards Bay)
	Toyota Verso or Similar (IMMR) (Richards Bay)
	VW Polo Classic or Similar (CCMR) (Richards Bay)
	Kia Picanto or Similar (ECMN) (Richards Bay)
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In and Around Elephant Coast:
Ithala Game Reserve This magnificent reserve 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... More »»	Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve With it's huge diversity of wildlife, landscapes and scenery, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve offers a wide range of activities. Set in the heart of Zululand, the oldest game reserve in Africa where... More »»
Mkuze Game Reserve A place of great beauty and high contrasts. Mkhuze is renowned as a mecca for bird lovers , with more than 420 bird species on record. The reserve has an astonishing diversity of natural habitats, from... More »»	St. Lucia Estuary St Lucia Estuary is one of the tourism focal points of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a recently declared World Heritage Site. The Park comprises a number of conservation areas, the oldest of which... More »»

Map of Elephant Coast

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In and Around Elephant Coast

Elephant Coast Travel

Ithala Game Reserve

Hotels in Elephant Coast

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In and Around Elephant Coast:

Map of Elephant Coast