By Vicky · Published May. 8th, 2026
This guide to Ithala Game Reserve tells you the best things to do in this little-known yet wild and exciting park in KwaZulu-Natal. You’ll find beautiful scenery, lovely drives, and many animals without the crowds.
Page Contents:
Location
Ithala Game Reserve is located in a remote part of KwaZulu-Natal Province in South Africa, near the border with eSwatini. It’s about 6 hours drive from Johannesburg and 2.5-3 hours drive from either Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park or iSimangaliso Wetland Park. There’s no public transport to the park, so you have to drive. Find cheap rental cars here*!
Ithala Game Reserve Map
Tips for Ithala Game Reserve
- Per day entrance fees to Ithala Game Reserve are R80/40 for South Africans and R160/80 for foreigners (adults/children). The park is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, so it’s free with a WildCard.
- Gate times are Nov-Feb 5am-7pm and Mar-Oct 6am-6pm.
- The office is open from 7am to 7:30pm every day.
- It’s 8 km (about 15 mins) from the gate to the main camp, and you should arrive at Ntshondwe reception no later than 3pm to allow enough time to reach your bush camp or the campsite.
- Bring binoculars* and a wildlife guide*.
- If you’re staying inside the park, a headlamp* can be useful to walk to/from your accommodation in the dark.
- Ithala Game Reserve is fairly low-key, with few visitors outside of South African holidays.
- If you’re interested in history, the surrounding area is full of battlefield sites from the Anglo-Zulu War and Anglo-Boer War.
- The only fuel (diesel and petrol) is at the main gate.
- Contact 034 983 2540, or 034 983 2566 or check https://www.kznwildlife.com/ for more details.
- For more fun guides and hikes, check our South Africa page.
Things to do in Ithala Game Reserve
What can you do in Ithala Game Reserve?
- Go on a Self-Drive Safari
- Take a Guided Game Drive
- Go on a Guided Bush Walk
- Have a swim
- Self-Guided Walks
1. Go on a Self-Drive Safari
The most popular activity in Ithala Game Reserve is a self-drive safari. This involves driving around the park by yourself, ideally in a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle. If you do not have a 4×4, you can reach Ntshondwe camp on a tarred road, but then it may be better to go on guided game drives, especially if it has recently rained.
As with almost all game viewing, it’s best in the early mornings and late afternoons. In Ithala, you can drive anytime during gate opening hours (5am-7pm Nov-Feb and 6am-6pm Mar-Oct). A Wildlife Guide can make a self-drive safari much more fun. You can identify the animals and read a little about them, plus cross them off the list when you’ve seen them! I’d recommend the Signs of the Wild Wildlife Guide*, though it only includes mammals.
In the middle of the day, you could relax at one of the three picnic sites in the reserve. These all have ablutions and braai facilities, plus are all located next to shallow streams in which you can swim. Alternatively, Ntshondwe camp is a good place to hide from the midday sun, with a nice little restaurant and pool.
During your day, watch out for the elephants! They can hide in the thick bush at the side of the road, then jump out as you drive past. Constant vigilance is needed!
2. Take a Guided Game Drive
Guided game drives in Ithala Game Reserve take place in the early morning or late afternoon, leaving from the main reception. Part of these drives is in the dark, so you have a chance of seeing nocturnal animals. Game drives start at 5am/6am and 5pm/4pm in summer/winter. Under 3s are not allowed. Drives are R1600 for 4 (minimum number), then an additional R400/200 per adult/child.
3. Go on a Guided Bush Walk
At Ithala, guided bush walks start at Ntshondwe reception, and you need to book a day in advance. Morning walks start at 6/7am in summer/winter, while afternoon walks start at 3/2pm in summer/winter. The walks last roughly 3 hours and children under 12 are not allowed. Guided walks cost R760 for 2 (minimum number), then an additional R360 per person.
4. Have a Swim
All three picnic sites in Ithala are next to streams in which you can swim. There are no crocodiles or hippos here, but you should still scout the surroundings before swimming. There’s also a great swimming spot next to Doornkraal campsite, and the water can get very hot in summer! Additionally, Ntshondwe Camp has a scenic pool where you can swim.
5. Self-Guided Walks
There are three self-guided walks in Ithala Game Reserve. These all lead into unfenced areas and through the bush. You may encounter rhinos, elephants, leopards and other dangerous creatures, so constant vigilance is needed! The routes can also be unclear in places, so only do these walks if you are confident hikers.
Two hikes start from the back of the swimming pool in Ntshondwe Camp. These are the Plum-coloured Starling and the Bushbuck Trail. The former is a short walk of roughly 30 minutes to a viewpoint over the camp. The latter is a more difficult walk lasting a couple of hours that leads through the bushes to another viewpoint. Both of these routes are out-and-back, so you can turn around at any time.
Another walk, the Phuzamoya Trail, starts a short drive away from Ntshonwe Camp and takes up to 2 hours. This trail starts steeply up through some trees, before reaching a more open rocky area at the top with great views. This is also an out-and-back trail, so you can simply return the same way when you feel tired.
For an easier alternative, simply walking around the large fenced area of Ntshondwe Camp allows you to see lots of plants and smaller animals. It’s very scenic, with dramatic cliffs and the cute thatched chalets.
Animals in Ithala Game Reserve
Does Ithala Game Reserve have the Big 5?
Ithala Game Reserve has four of the Big 5 – it does not have lions. However, it’s a great place to see rhino, including the elusive black rhino. You can also find some of the rarer antelopes, such as tsessebe and blue wildebeest, in the reserve. To help identify all the different types of antelopes and other mammals, it’s a great idea to have a wildlife guide*.
Accommodation in Ithala Game Reserve
The main accommodation in Ithala is at Ntshondwe Camp, where there are many chalets, or at Doornkraal Campsite. There are also three bush lodges. Bear in mind that it takes roughly 15 minutes from the main entrance gate to reach Ntshondwe, and up to one hour to reach the bush lodges and campsite. For all accommodation, you must first check in at Ntshondwe. You can book accommodation within the park on the official website.
Note that of the accommodation within Ithala Game Reserve, only Ntshondwe Lodge is fenced, and this only against elephants. Other camps and the campsite are not fenced at all. This means you should always check for animals before leaving your vehicle or accommodation, and don’t walk around after dark.
Accommodation in Ntshondwe Main Camp
Ntshondwe is the main camp in Ithala, and it’s nestled beneath some impressive orange, rocky cliffs. The accommodation is very cute, with thatched roofs and colours that blend into the natural environment. At the visitor’s centre, you can find a restaurant and game viewing deck, a curio shop (including basic food and wood), plus a lovely swimming pool.
Chalets at Ntshondwe
The chalets at Ntshondwe main camp are 2, 4 or 6-bed with kitchens, or 2-bed without kitchens. The 2-bed chalets are R1200 for 1, plus R400 for a second person, the 4-bed chalets are R2400 for 3, plus R800/400 for a fourth adult/child, and the 6-bed chalets are R3200 for 4, plus R800/400 for a fifth or sixth adult/child.
Ntshondwe Lodge
This is an exclusive lodge with three bedrooms that can accommodate up to six people. You’ll find a small swimming pool, braai area and a deck overlooking the valley. It costs R4250 for up to 5 people, then an additional R850/425 per adult/child.
Bush Camps
All three unfenced bush camps in Ithala Game Park (Thalu, Mbizo and Mhlangeni) can only be booked for exclusive use by one family/group of people. They accommodate 4, 8 and 10 people respectively. They are also roughly 45-60 minute’s drive from the reception at Ntshondwe, so allow a further 2 hours to reach the camps. A 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended, especially in the wet season. Prices per night are R1950, R3900, and R5200 for up to 3, 6 and 8 people, with an additional R650/325 per adult/child.
Thalu Bush Camp (sleeping up to 4 in two bedrooms) is ideal for families. Located on the banks of the Thalu River, you can swim in nearby pools and have a braai on the riverbank.
Mbizo Bush Camp (sleeping up to 8 in two separate 4-person units) also overlooks a river that you can swim in, with separate kitchens and ablutions, but a shared central fire pit.
Mhlangeni Bush Camp (sleeping up to 10) is great for larger groups. It’s a lovely place with panoramic views and a true off-grid bush feeling. You’ll find five two-bed units, each with viewing decks, three shared bathrooms and a central lounge with a kitchen. There’s no electricity, with gas powering the lights, cooking and warm showers.
Doornkraal Campsite
Doornkraal Campsite is the only campsite in Ithala Game Reserve. Like the bush camps, it’s unfenced, so you must be careful when walking around, especially after dark! There’s no electricity, but there are ablutions with showers, and you can swim in the stream nearby. The water gets very hot in summer, it’s like having a bath! Prices are R125/63 per adult/child.
Accommodation outside Ithala Game Reserve
There is no nearby accommodation outside of the reserve, but you can find several places in Pongola, a small town just over one hour away. Of these, Elegant Lodge* and Kastelein Guesthouse* are highly recommended.
Recommended Guidebook
I hope you enjoyed our guide to Ithala Game Park. For more hikes and activities, check out our Guide to South Africa.
FAQS: Ithala Game Reserve
Ithala entrance fees are R80/160 for South Africans/foreigners, and half price for children. It’s free with a WildCard.
No, there is no malaria in Ithala Game Reserve.
There are 4 of the Big 5 in Ithala, with leopards, rhinos, buffalo, and elephants, but no lions.
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