Ithala Game Reserve
Overview
South Africa Parks
Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.
Ithala’s scenic beauty is a large part of its attraction. Rolling hills and rugged cliffs create a dramatic backdrop for the safari animals. Ithala is mostly a self-drive destination, but guided day and night drives as well as walking safaris are available. Big cats are rarely seen and lion are absent, but good viewing of white rhino can be expected.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
White rhino is very common and often approached on foot on walking safaris. The more dangerous black rhino is occasionally spotted as well. Predator sightings are hit-and-miss, but elephant, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest and zebra are relatively common. Among the wide range of antelope that thrive on the grassy slopes are the rare tsessebe and oribi.
Scenery
Ithala Game Reserve is a place of rugged beauty with 300 million-year-old rock formations. Rolling hills covered in mountain grassland go on forever and strategically placed viewpoints are dotted around the park. Ntshondwe, the park lodging, is set at the foot of the cliffs of the Ngotshe Mountain. Towering above Ntshondwe, horizontal contours of pink and russet sandstone offset vertically jagged spires of dolerite (dark, volcanic) rock.
Weather & Climate
In winter (May to September), afternoon conditions are generally warm and comfortable, but the early mornings can get bitingly cold. The wind can also blow hard at this time, adding to the chill. It stays warm in summer (October to April), though this is accompanied by humidity and storms late in the day.
Best Time To Visit
In the Wet season (October to April), the game reserve is beautifully green due to regular rain. The precipitation also washes the dust of the Dry season (May to September) out of the air, allowing clear views of the landscape. But the thick vegetation hampers wildlife watching. If this is your priority, it’s best to visit Ithala in the drier months, when the undergrowth thins out, and animals are more easily spotted.
