Ithala Game Reserve

Great safaripark for self drive with beautiful scenery

We went to Ithala game reserve as a part of a round trip along the elephant coast.
We stayed for two night's at one of the wonderfull chalets. They are clean en up to date.
We did a self drive safari, we took al de routes in the park. (also the 4x4 roads, we had a hyundai ix35, but it was dry, maybe in the wet season this wouldn't been possible)

The scenery was absolutely beautiful, within the park there are allot of viewpoints.
we saw zebra, kudu, impala, elephant,eland,waterbuck, giraff, wildebeest, rhino, baboons, busch baby's in the camp.

We would recommend this park especially if you enjoy scenery icombination with wild life.

Amazing experiences

Ithala Game Reserve, located in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa, has always been one of my favourite safari destinations in southern Africa. It's quite well populated with a large wildlife variety. However, I could never spot any elephants despite seeing their fresh droppings on the road. I first visited the park in 1985 and became addicted to it. Although most of the roads within the park area dirt roads, driving even in small cars does not pose major problems. Stunning views are there to please your eyes in almost every turn. Pic-nic sites can be easily found and are appropriately sign posted. Quality accommodation, restaurant, bar and game drives are available. Therefore, As visiting Ithala Game Reserve is a must. I highly recommend it to all nature lovers.

Ithala with greate nature

the Ithala Game Reserve has a beautiful landscape with hills and woodland. It is not so easy to see animals everywhere, but it is more a fun to search for it.
There were no so many tourists, what makes also the self-guided tours very nice and we saw a lot of animals near the roads.
Althought the Ithala game Reserve don't have all the big 5, for me it is a great Game Reserve to visit. I love the landscape.

Been a while since I visited but the birding is exceptional. The game viewing less so but the accommodation was pretty good.

Out of season definitely a nice park to visit !

Ithaca Game Reserve is a beautiful park. There are no lions in the park, so you get to see a rich population of Giraffes, all kind of Antilopes, Warthogs, Zebras, Monkeys, Wildebeest and many more and they aren't really afraid of cars. For birding it is also good although there were not many raptor birds like Eagles, when we where there. It is even allowed to leave the car in the reserve. The Ntshodwe Camp is the only camp in the park without self catering. The best times of the camp are over, but it is good to stay. we have been there out of season and there were just another handful of people staying. In high season the camp can cater over 200 (1) people, which for our taste would be too much, too busy. The main road in the park and to the camp is tar and in real good conditions. Out of the other 4 roads you can only do one, if you do not have a proper 4x4, which is a shame, as the most interesting parts like the Pholongolo circle are not maintained and therefore just for 4x4 tourist. The only alternative is to book a game drive, which luckily is not very expensive but done in big game "buses" for over 12 people. What is unbeatable in the Camp is the friendliness of the people. And the scenery in the park is worth to go.

Amazing landscape with a lot of not dangerous animals

Exciting landscape with strongly changing weather conditions showing a beautiful light with all shapes.
It is in some places possible to get out from the car to enjoy zebras, giraffes, ungulates, baboons and many others. Very family friendly.

quiet,peaceful and relaxed

Review already posted, by seperate report. Great chalets, superb scenery and great atmosphere. Great reserve for rhino and giraffe.

A quiet, peaceful and relaxed game reserve setting with superb scenery

We stayed 2 nights, en route from Kruger, via Wakkerstroom onwards to St Lucia. The chalet accommodation and camp was superb. We were unfortunate to be on the edge of a major storm, but nevertheless managed some good game driving with plenty of White Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra, Hartebeest and Wildebeest. We alsotook time to study the smaller animals and reptiles they are often neglected, but are equally enchanting. We met a Ranger who could not have been more knowledgeable about his passion, the Rhino. The scenery was amazing with superb vistas below the large cliff face, and generally it is much more open than some reserves. We had a bush braai at a very well maintained picnic stop in bush. Birdlife was a little disappointing, but that was merely due to the bad weather. I am sure had the sun been shining there would have been plenty of raptors. As with all game reserves in SA beware of the monkeys, they will sneak into the chalets or vehicles and thieve anything. Would love to go back again.

A Wild Adventure

Living in South Africa, I have seen quite a few of our wild life reserves but few hold more charm than Itala. Although no lion are in the reserve the Elephant and other game make up for it. The drives are extremely interesting and the 4x4 route might be one of the best routes I have ever taken...

The accommodation is with out saying the best I have seen in a national park in South Africa. I think the only limitation is that you could not really spend more than 3 to 4 days at the park. We generally use it as a stop over either going down to Cape Vidal, or returning from Cape Vidal.

The main camp also has really cool hikes starting from beginner to advanced.

Didn't see a lot of the wildlife.