Ithala Game Reserve

We are off again! Another month on the road!

 

We left Sabie Park on 2nd May driving through KNP to Badplaas. We decided to break up the drive into two days, as we were towing the trailer & driving the slow Landcruiser. 

Part of the flock of 13 Southern Bald Ibis.

Great to see this species again!

We were greeted by 13 Southern Bald Ibis loafing around the small dam at the entrance to the resort. We spent a pleasant evening here, then up early on 3rd for the drive to Ithala Game Reserve. It was a slow drive with lots of hills to climb! Just before arriving we got caught up in a demonstration by local people over lack of basic facilities in Louwsberg. With a little help from police, we arrived at the entrance & then drove to Ntshondwe Camp to register & sign in. 

It is a very scenic reserve.

Any yet again, we had the place to ourselves!

Doornkraal Camp.

We were next to the river, but...

It was nice to have a kitchen to use in camp.

Cape Glossy Starling

Female African Stonechat

We then drove to Doornkraal Campsite, which is nicely situated by the side of a river & found we were the only people there. This was our home for the next three nights & what a lovely spot it was. 

Alone again!

Some of the off-road driving was quite tough.

Giraffe

We spent the next three days exploring this great game reserve. Each day we would pick a different direction. The sense of wilderness was excellent as we never saw anyone. 

Plains Zebra

Black backed Jackal

African Pipit

Ntshondwe Camp

A nicely situated camp at the

 foot of the cliffs.

Lovely pool.

But no staff to bring me a beer!

Great restaurant with a fine view.

Mocking Chat

Tame & confiding around the restaurant.

Southern Boubou

Black collared Barbet

Red fronted Tinker Barbet

Not a species I see very often.

White breasted Sunbird.

We enjoyed exploring this park, 

it has a great wilderness feel to it.

Pongola River

Getting to the river!

Delana on the Pongola River, 

which forms the northern boundary 

of this park.

We really enjoyed our stay here, the driving & exploring was excellent, but we didn't see very much! Summer might be a better option.