Ntshondwe Walkabout

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When visiting Ithala Game Reserve, it pays to spend some time strolling through Ntshondwe, the reserve’s award-winning main camp.

Ntshondwe Walkabout (22)

Ntshondwe’s excellent amenities all blend beautifully into the environment and despite offering all modern conveniences, one never feels cut-off from the natural beauty that surrounds you.

Ntshondwe reception
Ntshondwe Information Centre
Ntshondwe Information Centre
Ntshondwe’s shop
The conference and function venue
One of Ntshondwe’s chalets

Take one of the shady pathways that lead through the camp’s lush indigenous vegetation.

Ntshondwe pathway
Ntshondwe pathway
Ntshondwe pathway
Fig trees are popular with birds and animals alike
The flowers of the Sickle Bush

Stop and have a closer look at the variety of moss, toad stools and mushrooms that thrive in the dampness of the forest floor.

Fungal variety in Ntshondwe
Fungal variety in Ntshondwe
An easy-to-overlook patch of moss
Fungal variety in Ntshondwe
Fungal variety in Ntshondwe
Fungal variety in Ntshondwe

All around you you’ll notice little animals quietly going about their daily lives in the undergrowth – insects, spiders, frogs, toads, lizards and birds

CMR Blister Beetle
Bee and White Water Lily
Suspended spider
Eastern Olive Toad
Tiny Raucous Toad
Tiny Raucous Toad, no bigger than a pinkynail
Painted Reed Frog
Tree living agama lizard

Even bigger animals – especially dassies, monkeys and bushbuck –  are quite at home around Ntshondwe’s human visitors.

Ntshondwe Walkabout (1)

Ntshondwe Walkabout (2)

And then, to end your walk on a high, why not head onto one of the surrounding hills – easily accomplished along the well marked trails – for a breathtaking view over Ntshondwe and the reserve?

Ntshondwe Walkabout (20)  Ntshondwe Walkabout (21)

We hope you enjoyed this closer look at life inside Ntshondwe? Have a look here to read more about our December 2013 trip to Ithala Game Reserve

32 thoughts on “Ntshondwe Walkabout”

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    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      If you ever have the opportunity to visit Ntshondwe and Ithala, we’d definitely advise you grab it with both hands 😉

      Thank you for joining us here at de Wets Wild!

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  12. mjculverphotography

    Another super post from our dear friends, De Wets!! Sorry we’ve been MIA for so long. Sometimes life gets in the way as much as we don’t want it to. I could really use a few weeks in one of the lovely places you visit to recoup, regroup and get away from constant technology 😉

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    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      So nice to “host” you again at de Wets Wild dear Joey and Marks!

      I entirely understand what you’re saying about recouping in nature Joey! We’re hardly back two weeks and already city life is threatening to drive us insane!

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  14. vastlycurious.com

    Never ever tire of your Blog and the quiet special lives that the animals lead without expectation and hopefully with out extinction before I can get my ass there!

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    1. de Wets Wild Post author

      There’s many people working very hard to ensure that these beautiful creatures are around for many generations to come Kathryn. Let’s hope they’ll prevail against the tide of human greed. And we’re very grateful to have you support us, you are always welcome here!

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      2. de Wets Wild Post author

        Just as soon as some magnate sponsors us to travel from reserve to reserve and leave behind the daily grind Kathryn ;-).
        In all seriousness though, there’s many “working holiday” opportunities available in conservation down here in South Africa – have a look at http://www.wildlifeact.com/ for instance.

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  17. Pingback: Ithala Game Reserve – December 2013 | de Wets Wild

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