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User Reviews – Ithala GR
disappointing
I travelled many years all over South Africa. I made a one day visit to Ithala game reserve by driving my own 4x4 car.
I was very desappointed except the scenic landscapes and some intresting 4x4 loops.
Wildlife is rather spare; there are no great predators. I drived sometimes long moments without seeing any animal ;when I was lucky I saw mostly isolated ones. Ithala is certainly a lovely place for week-ends in nature as the South african people like but sure not a place for tourist comming to SA for meeting games
35-50 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
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.
Didn't see a lot of the wildlife.
I have bad memories of Ithala because while camping in their lovely rustic campsite we had a hail storm with stones the size of golf balls which wrote off my car as well, as two caravans belonging to the rangers. The bird life was quite good and there was limited game.
50-65 years of age
Not an abundance of wildlife and its too small for anything long term
Email @STA | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
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.
Email mara.dd - www.marasweltreisen.de | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
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.
Email Caroline | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Been a while since I visited but the birding is exceptional. The game viewing less so but the accommodation was pretty good.
Email architectkzn | 35-50 years of age
Landscape, wildlife and birding is great in this park. The accomodation is fantastic.
Email Colin Summersgill | 35-50 years of age
A large park with different game across the very varied habitat.
Scenery is immense with the park dropping from 1450 masl at the mountain tops to 340 m where the Pongola River leaves the park. Habitats include thornveld, grasslands, river valley bush and cliffs.
You can virtually get lost in your own little valleys looking for wildlife. Some roads are sealed, but given the nature of the terrain this does make life easier.
Birding is excellent, the varied habitat and altitude allowing a large variety of species to make the park their home.