Page 301 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

DURBAN AND ZUL ULAND  299

wildlife seen at uMkhuze.
Activities on offer include sunset
cruises on the Mzinene River
and outdoor dining, as well as
game-viewing drives, bush
walks and fishing or div ing
expedi tions. Wildlife includes
nyala, kudu, wilde beest, giraffes,
zebras, elephants, lions, white
rhinos and cheetahs. There are
six lodges, each with its own
unique atmosphere and bush or
wetland views. The reserve has
its own air strip and arranges air
Mhlangeni Bush Camp, Ithala Game Reserve transfers from Johannes burg, or
road transfers from Richards Bay.
game and has reverted back to Ngubhu Loop, a 31-km (19-mile)
its natural state. The Pongolo circuit that crosses a broad basin, 0 Tembe Elephant
River flows along the northern is the best drive in the park.
boundary for some 37 km (23 Another route winds down the Park
miles). Seven tributaries have thickly wooded Dakaneni Valley Road map F3. 65 km (40 miles) north
carved the deep valleys that to the Pongolo River. Although of Mbazwana on the R22. Tel 035 592
dissect this park and enhance its game is not as plentiful here as 0001 Open Apr–Sep: 6am–6pm daily;
scenic splendour. The Ngoje it is on the higher grasslands, Oct–Mar: 5am–7pm daily. & 0
escarpment rises dramatically to the scenery is spectacular. ∑ kznwildlife.com
1,446 m (4,700 ft), provid ing a
striking backdrop. This 290-sq-km (112-sq-mile)
A 7-km (4-mile) tarred road wilderness reserve bordering
leads from the entrance to the Mozambique protects the flood
prestigious Ntshondwe Camp. plain of the Pongolo River along
Its 67 chalets have been care- the northern boundary of
fully tucked away between KwaZulu-Natal. The park was
boulders and wild fig trees. The established in 1983 to protect
central complex contains a the elephants that migrate
reception area, restaurant, store between the two countries.
and coffee shop, and offers Access is limited to 4WD
panoramic views over the entire vehicles, and only 10 groups of
reserve. In front of the building, visitors per day. There is a tented
an extensive wooden platform camp near the entrance, and
overlooks a reed-fringed water- two hides overlook areas where
hole and is perfect for bird- Game-viewing in Ithala Game Reserve ele phants come to drink. The
watching. As no fences park has South Africa’s largest
surround the camp, animals 8 iSimangaliso population of suni antelopes
such as warthogs often wander and 430 species of birds.
between the chalets. A path Wetland Park
leads to a swimming pool Environs
tucked into a clearing at the See pp300–301. West of Tembe and bordering
base of the mountain. Mozambique, the Ndumo Game
Ntshondwe Lodge is a lavish 9 Phinda Private Reserve is famous for its rich
three-bedroomed cabin riverine life, particularly waterbirds
perched on a hill top. The far- Game Reserve – over 420 species have been
reaching vista from its wooden Road map F3. 23 km (14 miles) recorded. Hides on the Nyam ithi
deck and sunken swimming northeast of Hluhluwe off the R22. and Banzi pans offer excellent
pool is arguably Ithala’s finest. Tel 011 809 4300. Open restricted views. The pans also sustain
Game-viewing at Ithala is access. & 0 ∑ andbeyond.com hippos and crocodiles and white
excellent. Visitors will see white and black rhinos. Guided tours are
rhino, giraffe, hartebeest, kudu, Extending over 170 sq km (65 sq available to book at the office.
eland, impala, wildebeest, miles) of bushveld, wetland,
warthog and zebra, as well as the savannah and sand forest, the O Ndumo Game Reserve
only population in KwaZulu- privately owned Phinda is 98 km (61 miles) northeast of
Natal of the rare tsessebe ante- sandwiched between the Mbazwana via the R22. Tel 035 591
lope. Elephant, buffalo, leopard iSimangaliso Wetland Park and 0098. Open Apr–Sep: 6am–6pm daily;
and black rhino are also present, uMkhuze Game Reserve. Wildlife Oct–Mar: 5am–7pm daily. & = 8
but are more difficult to locate. likely to be seen is the same as  ∑ kznwildlife.com

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