Zulu Nyala Private 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’.
Zulu Nyala is a very small reserve nestled between the wilderness reserves of Hluhluwe and Isimangaliso. There are no lions in the park, but it is easy to get up close to all the other Big Five animals. Because of the limited size of the park, game drives rapidly become repetitive, but well-priced packages are offered with excursions to nearby reserves and attractions.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Zulu Nyala offers reasonable wildlife viewing of several big safari animals – including four of the Big Five (no lion). The park is very small, and numbers of any species are limited. Leopard are present but rarely seen. Cheetah are especially relaxed without lion on the property, and watching a mother with cubs or a coalition between two brothers is a special experience.
Scenery
This small reserve feels a bit like a ranch. There are patches of indigenous vegetation and areas of exotics, such as eucalyptus. There is a beautiful patch of fever tree forest in the center and a man-made dam but, overall, it's not a pristine environment.
Weather & Climate
The heat and humidity are oppressive in summer (October to April) when thunderstorms drench the landscape and afternoon temperatures stubbornly refuse to drop much below 30°C/86°F. The weather during the winter months (May to September) is much more agreeable, with warm daytime temperatures and a bright blue sky overhead. However, it does become quite cold at night.
Best Time To Visit
Due to the small size of the reserve, wildlife viewing is good throughout the year. However, the Dry season (May to September) has a slight advantage when it comes to animal visibility. Days are pleasantly cool and sunny, but evenings and early mornings can be chilly. It can be very hot and humid during the Wet season (October to April).
