We’ve been singing Ithala Game Reserve‘s praises on this blog for a long time and our recent Heritage Day long weekend visit to this South African treasure further cemented our belief that Ithala is one of our country’s prime conservation areas.
Colourful spring flower displays were in evidence all over the reserve, despite not receiving much rainfall yet. With over 900 plant species at Ithala, including some extreme rarities like the pepper-bark tree and Lebombo cycad, Ithala is a botanist’s delight. Unfortunately we don’t know the names of most, but that doesn’t mean we didn’t enjoy the show just the same!
The giraffe is Ithala’s emblem, and we were lucky to enjoy several encounters with these curious animals.
Most large game species were eradicated from the area before the reserve was proclaimed in 1972, and Ithala therefore had to be restocked. Today it is home to all the species that occurred here historically, with the exception of lion, and all-in-all provides sanctuary to 83 mammal species.
Ithala’s a bird-watcher’s paradise, with a list of 318 species recorded in the reserve. While we didn’t tick quite that many species during our visit – most of the summer migrants have not yet arrived – we were very thrilled with our close-up sighting of a pair of blue cranes shortly after arriving. Being South Africa’s national bird, it seemed a particularly special treat for Heritage Day!
Ithala’s not only about the big and obvious birds and animals, and closer inspection will reveal a multitude of insects, arachnids, amphibians and reptiles. We even encountered three of the reserve’s 41 snake species while walking around Ntshondwe Camp; they pose no danger as long as you don’t threaten them and true to form all three moved away very quickly and quietly.
Talking about Ntshondwe, we just have to mention again how beautifully the accommodation units are placed into the natural vegetation, offering privacy and a really intimate nature experience.
Ntshondwe Unit 15, Ithala Game Reserve, September 2015
Its faunal and floral diversity aside, Ithala is richly blessed with amazingly diverse scenery. The reserve extends over 30,000 hectares, its area ranging in altitude between the 1,450m peak of Ngotshe Mountain to 400m above sea level along the Pongola River. The reserve’s vegetation ranges from grasslands to woodlands to dense riverine forest.
We’re already making plans for our next visit to Ithala in early 2016, and you can probably see why!
Ithala Game Reserve is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, and lies a 500km drive to the South-East of Pretoria.
Pretoria to Ithala
(drawn with Google Maps)
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Fabulous! Your photos always put a smile on my face 🙂
Thank you very much Jo – your kind comments always put a smile on mine 😉
Beautiful pictures!
Thank you Aastha!
Dit lyk asof julle in die paradys was! Pragtige fotos!!
Ithala voel amper soos n paradys Zirkie, as jy ooit die kans het moet jy beslis daar n draai maak!
dis pragtige foto’s!! Was so lank laas daar!!
Dankie Aletta! Ithala is n spesiale plek, ne?
Dit is verseker!
Oehoe! … vrolike blommetjies. Nou weet ek Oktobermaand is die mooiste maand. Jou ander gallerye is stunning. Die rooi sonsondergang asemrowend.
Dankie Spokie!
Sun spider is dit n jagspinnekop? Ons het as kinders altyd gekyk of hul nie ons tone wil byt nie. As hul storm het ons liewer weggehol. Grillerig om te wag tot hul naby jou moet kom. Hul hardloop mos na die skaduwee met die doel om dit te vang vir ete.. Lekker met julle gekuier in die veld en al die diere. Dankie vir die mooi toer.
Dis inderdaad n jagspinnekop Ineke! En het hulle ons nie ook in ons kinderdae rondgejaag nie!
Ha ha ja, as dit so warm is en met mens se kaal voete was dit nogal n gedoente.
En hulle is vinnig!
Ha ha en hoe! Hul soek aanmekaar mens se skaduwee. Daardie kake is ook maar gevaarlik.
Reblogged this on Roaring Reservations.
beautiful.
Thanks Gavin!
Wonderful pics, love the shot of the bird in the zebra’s ear!
I’m sure the zebra was quite appreciative of the attention Maamej, a hoof isn’t the best tool to scratch an itchy ear with 😀
Thank you so much for bringing the joys of spring to us! These beautiful creatures made me smile… 🙂
The last shot is stunning!
Thanks very much Amy, we’re glad to know you liked our Ithala showcase!
great photos again!!! I love the sun spider!!! 🙂
Thanks Matthias. We were fascinated by it as it scurried around, turning over little pebbles as it went.
Wonderful images, and oh that African sunset! 🙂
Thanks Sylvia!
Die lente is in die lug… pragtige foto’s
Is dit nie lekker nie Tina!? Ek het nie veel ooghare vir die winter nie…
Ek ook