Overview–southafrica

Ithala Game Reserve

Ithala’s scenic beauty is a large part of its attraction. Rolling hills and rugged cliffs create a dramatic backdrop for the safari animals. Ithala is mostly a self-drive destination, but guided day and night drives as well as walking safaris are available. Big cats are rarely seen and lion are absent, but good viewing of white rhino can be expected.

Best Time to Visit

The dry winter months, from May to September, are the best time for viewing wildlife. The grass is short in winter and the foliage thins, making it easier to see the animals. The period between June and August, however, can experience strong winds, causing animals to take cover.

May to September –Dry Season – Winter

Best time for wildlife viewing since the foliage thins and the grass is shorter
Clear skies with little chance of rain
Warm clothing is required for game drives at night and in the early morning
Landscape is dry

October to April –Wet Season – Summer

Lovely landscapes with lush scenery
Newborn animals can be spotted
The best time for birding with migratory birds present
Wildlife viewing is better during the Dry season
It gets hot and humid

Scenery

Ithala Game Reserve is a place of rugged beauty with 300 million-year-old rock formations. Rolling hills covered in mountain grassland go on forever and strategically placed viewpoints are dotted around the park. Ntshondwe, the park lodging, is set at the foot of the cliffs of the Ngotshe Mountain. Towering above Ntshondwe, horizontal contours of pink and russet sandstone offset vertically jagged spires of dolerite (dark, volcanic) rock.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Jan

Feb

Nov

Dec

Mar

April

Oct

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: May to September (Dry season)

High Season

From: December (Only busy during school holidays)

Size

From: 290km² / 112mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Ithala offers reasonable wildlife viewing in a splendid setting. It isn't a place to see a lot of predator action or to check off the Big Five, but several unusual antelope species can be seen. Both black and white rhino are present, and white rhino sightings are common, even on walking safaris.

Wildlife Highlights

There are lots of giraffe in the park, and they can be spotted from far along the mountain slopes. Some of the rarer wildlife species associated with the grassland habitat are the tsessebe (the fastest-running antelope) and the dainty oribi, usually seen in pairs. Mountain reedbuck, as well as common reedbuck, are present as well. Early morning or late afternoon, you might see a serval hunting for small rodents.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

The best time for wildlife viewing in Ithala is in the dry months from June to September when animals congregate at water sources and the grass is shorter. The scenery, however, is gorgeous in the wet summer months from October to April.

General Wheather

Ithala Game Reserve experiences winter and summer at opposite times to those seasons in North America and Europe. Summer is from October to April and corresponds to the Wet season: it gets hot and humid. The Dry season occurs during winter, from May to September, which sees warm days but cold nights.

Dry Season –May to September – Winter

There is very little rainfall in winter, and on most days the sky is sunny and free of clouds. Nights and early mornings are cold, and it is essential to bring warm clothing.

May – Humidity drops toward the end of summer as there is less rain. Temperatures cool to an average of 10°C/50°F in the morning and 24°C/75°F in the afternoon.
June, July & August – Temperatures are pleasant in the afternoon at around 22°C/72°F. But it drops to 9°C/48°F at night, which makes for very cold mornings. There is often a strong, unpleasant wind during these months and warm clothing is needed.
September – This is springtime. Temperatures gradually rise to a daytime average of 25°C/77°F and in the mornings to around 13°C/55°F. Rains are more frequent and come in the form of occasional thundershowers.

Wet Season –October to April – Summer

Summers are warm and humid. It rains most days, but seldom all day. Afternoon thunderstorms are common.

October & November – It usually rains in the afternoon. Temperatures are between 15°C/59°F in the morning and 27°C/81°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – This is a warm, humid time of year. Most days will experience afternoon storms, with rain possible all day. Afternoon temperatures are around 29°C/84°F, but peak temperatures can range higher. Early mornings average 15°C/59°F.
March & April – It cools slightly to an average of 28°C/82°F in the afternoon. It rains less and the humidity decreases. Mornings are still mild at 14°C/57°F.

Prons

Beautiful scenery
Good sightings of both rhino species and lots of antelope
Great birding
Little visited the park and was never very busy
Walks and night drives are available
Reasonably priced rest camp
Malaria-free

Cons

No choice of accommodation, only the park rest camp
Guided walks and drives are not the same standard as in private reserves

How To Get There

Ithala Game Reserve is located about 400km/250mi north of Durban and can easily be reached by car. The drive takes approximately 5 hours*. The reserve is usually a stop on a larger guided or self-drive tour.

Most people visiting South Africa fly to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, but it is also possible to fly directly to King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), and what tickets would cost.