KwaZulu Natal Travel Guides - Hiking and Walking - Adventure Safaris

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  INFORMATION:
  ITHALA GAME RESERVE | KZN WILDLIFE TRAILS E-BROCHURE
  

WILDERNESS TRAILS - ITHALA
Province: Kwazulu Natal

ITHALA WILDERNESS TRAIL
Wilderness trails in a landscape that has known man for many thousands of years, chipping stone tools on the banks of ancient rivers, smelting iron from the banded ironstone that litters the hillsides, crouching in fear in the caves below Ntshondwe Hill during the bloody birth pangs of the Zulu nation 

Situated in the rugged, mountainous thornveld of northern KwaZulu-Natal, Ithala Game Reserve offers trailists a unique opportunity to explore on foot some of the most spectacular geological and biological diversity in KZN.

The Ithala primitive trail is aimed at the outdoor enthusiast who enjoys backpacking and sleeping under the stars. All three nights are spent sleeping out in the bush and four days will be spent walking. Trailists carry all their own food, equipment and water for the duration of the trail. 

Camping follows the very strict "minimum impact, no trace" wilderness ethic. Ithala Game Reserve is 30 000ha and the wilderness trails area is situated in the very wild eastern section of the reserve. The area has a rugged beauty with crystal clear streams running through the many koppies and hills found there.

Due to the change in altitude from the Pongola River to the kranzes overlooking the reserve in the Ngotshe Mountains, there is a fantastic variety of habitats to explore from basin bush veld to short mountain grassland.

The many different veld types have resulted in a huge diversity of fauna and flora offering the trailist a wealth of species to see and learn about.

Visitors participating on a trail will meet up at Ithala's Ntshondwe Camp on the first day and will then be escorted to the trails area. Vehicles will be left at the designated parking area and trailists will hike into the wilderness. The rustic camp is within comfortable walking distance and upon arrival trailists can set up camp and spend the late afternoon relaxing and preparing their evening meal.

The next two days are spent exploring the valleys and rivers of the Ncence valley and the spectacular Ntunzini Falls. On the final day trailists will break down the camp and take a leisurely walk back to their vehicles via Ithala's historical Bushman paintings.

Being a primitive trail, trailists are required to be totally self catered and must therefore provide their own camping equipment, food and cooking utensils. 

The camping area is situated on a river and therefore water for washing is available. The trails officer will provide a first aid kit.


Trails are led by two wilderness guides whose experience and knowledge of the bush serves to inform trailists, as well as to ensure their safety. All three nights are spent at the rustic trails camp. Each day is spent walking through the wilderness area. Trailists are advised to provide a small daypack in which to carry a light lunch and refreshments.

Trails will run from Thursday to Sunday. Bookings, which will be taken from 01 April 2004, will be done through Central Reservations at Queen Elizabeth Park and trails will start on the 15 April 2004. For further information please contact the Trails Officer -Jamie Physick- at Ithala on +27 34 983 2540.