Nature Reserves
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Nambiti Private Game Reserve The spectacular Nambiti Private Game Reserve offers a malaria-free wilderness retreat near the southern Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal. Guests can experience the romance, adventure and excitement of Africa in this private reserve that is home to the Big Five.
Along with exciting sightings of lion, elephant, leopard and buffalo, you have the opportunity of seeing cheetah, numerous hippos, zebra and numerous species of antelope. Nambiti also features amazing biodiversity, supporting savannah, grasslands, thornveld and acacia veld.
A number of rare bird species will keep ardent birders scanning the sky and bushveld for many hours. Of course, you could just sit back, relax and watch as Africa unfolds from one of the nine luxurious lodges on the reserve.
Things to do near
Nambiti Private Game Reserve
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Popular Attractions
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Ladysmith (25.5 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) The legendary Mahatma Gandhi, among many other things, served with General Buller's relief forces after the Siege of Ladysmith. He also trained 1100 Indians who participated in the battle.
In 1993 the Hindu community paid tribute to the work of Gandhi by building a statue of him at the Lord Vishnu Temple. Visitors will have to arrange with the caretaker beforehand to view the statue.
Galleries and Museums
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Ladysmith (25.6 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) The Ladysmith Siege Museum, on Murchison Street next to the Ladysmith Town Hall, is housed in a building built in 1884 - regarded both here and abroad as one of the best Anglo Boer War museums in the country. It brings the whole period of the siege to life using black and white photographs, electronic mapping, documents and artefacts from the period.
Golf Courses
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Ladysmith (25.7 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) Holes 18
Length: 5690m
Available for hire:
Carts
Trolleys
Caddies
Clubs
Other facilities
Pro Shop, Bar, Restaurant, Board Room, Function Facilities
Battlefields
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Dundee (41.4 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) Join the Isandlwana and Rorke's Drift Battlefield guides for a fascinating day of storytelling. Guides bring the Anglo-Zulu battles to life, revealing the astonishing details of this important part of South African history.
Day tours depart from Dundee at 08:30 and return 15:30. The trip costs R490 per person including entrance fees, but excluding lunch (March 2012).
+27 (0) 34 212 3216
www.bushbaby.co.za
Nature Reserves
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Weenen (51.2 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) Weenen Game Reserve presents many scenic and game viewing opportunities for visitors on foot or from their vehicle. The Bushman’s River surges through a spectacular gorge carved into undulating hills and valleys of KwaZulu-Natal thornveld.
Black and white rhino as well as giraffe, red hartebeest, eland, zebra, kudu, ostrich and common reedbuck have been re-introduced. Other species to spot include grey duiker, bushbuck, steenbok, mountain reedbuck, hyena and black-backed jackal. With more than 251 bird species, stunning scenery and the rich wildlife and vegetation, Weenen is growing in popularity as a small but worthwhile wildlife destination for both day trippers and stopovers.
Features include a hide at one of the waterholes, a vulture feeding site and three picnic sites all equipped with braai facilities, one with a magnificent view site. Accommodation facilities at the camp include 12 camping or caravan sites, some with electricity connections; and ablution facilities. There is also a fully-equipped cottage with a braai spot and an exclusive picnic site next to a waterhole. Weenen has three self-guided trails, and guided walks can be arranged.
Battlefields
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Ladysmith (55.5 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) As you travel on the N3 linking Durban and Johannesburg, only 8 km off the motorway near Ladysmith, you'll arrives at the famous Battlefield of Spion Kop.
Over a century ago on the 24th January 1900, Spion Kop was the scene of a bloody and futile battle fought between South Africans and British forces during the South African War, 1899 to 1902.
Raymond Heron, a renowned historian, has a fascinating presentation on the war and the far-reaching effects it had on Britain and South Africa. During Raymond’s vivid presentation, one is able to relive memories of the war and walk in the footsteps of three great leaders – General Louis Botha, later to become the Union of South Africa’s first prime minister, and Mohandas (later the “Mahatma”) Gandhi, as well as Winston Churchill.
Hiking Trail
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Van Reenens Pass (58.4 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) The Black Wildebeest Hiking Trail is a 2/3-day backpack trail, which starts off at the bottom of the Van Reenan Pass in KwaZulu-Natal.
The precise start of the trail is located at Siggy's base camp. The first day kicks off with a climb next to a fast-flowing stream. Accent onto the plateau is done via a ladder. The rest of the trail cuts through undulating grassland hills, which provides a lovely scenic view on the path. Game sighting is plentiful and adds a lovely element to the trail. The trail ends at the river camp.
The 2nd day trail returns back to base camp, starting off with a steep incline to the top of the plateau. The route then follows a decent into a valley, followed by an easy last stretch.
Difficulty: easy to moderate;
Distance: 14 km, and 26 km if you decide to extend the hike to the 3 day variation.
Nature Reserves
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Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve (60.7 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) An easy 35-kilometre drive from Ladismith or 14 kilometres from Winterton will get you to Spioenkop Dam Nature Reserve, a popular weekend getaway for watersport junkies. The savannah landscape around the dam is home to interesting wildlife including white rhino, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, numerous antelope and prolific bird life.
The views from the summit of Spioenkop Mountain are breathtaking. You can spend hours gazing out over lush green plains to the mesmerising Drakensberg peaks extending from Giant’s Castle to the Sentinel in Royal Natal Park.
The Discovery Trail presents two wonderful hiking options, a 3 or 6 kilometre loop around the southern shore in an area free of dangerous game. Various picnic sites are dotted around the dam’s edge.
Galleries and Museums
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Winterton (64.4 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) The Winterton Museum is located in the majestic Drakensberg region. It was opened in 1993 by Sheila Henderson and displays the history of the local farming communities in the area, the early inhabitants from the Stone Age, the Iron Age, the San people, the Voortrekkers and the early English settlers.
There are various historical items and reproductions of San art as well as a gallery with San paintings and photographs of local San art. Other displays include the first South African democratic elections, the battles of Spieoenkop and Vaalkrans, and a blacksmith shop featuring the Weston Caravan. There is also a reconstructed Zulu beehive kraal built with traditional materials and methods used by the local Ngwane people's ancestors.
The outstanding private collection of Boer War books are excellent guides for those planning to visit the battlefields in the area.
Four By Four Trails
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Newcastle (66.1 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) Bonani Wild and Wonderful offers many trails can accumulate to 50 km. To complete all the trails it will take around 8 hours. The trails start at a grading 3 three where any vehicle with low range gears may explore. Other routes have a grading of up to 5 and require a bit more technical know-how. The routes offer mountainous trails, river trails and dongas. Please enquire for further details.
Shops
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Winterton (70.7 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) Kwazulu Weavers produce hand-woven woolen carpets and homemade candles. The mini putt-putt course keeps the little ones busy while parents are shopping. Grab a bite to eat afterwards at the Waffle Hut.
Dams Vleis
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Estcourt (73.5 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) Wagendrift Dam is a picturesque dam named after a drift through the Bushmans River used by transport wagons on their to the Witwatersrand goldfields. The dam is surrounded by the Wagendrift reserve, a protected area.
Boating and fishing are the main activities. There is a 3 km self-guided trail along the Bushmans River. Look out for fish eagle and black eagle which nest in the reserve. Species of fish include bluegill, bass, carp, eel and the occasional trout.
Golf Courses
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Bergville (76.8 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) Beautifully maintained and picturescue 9-hole course situated at Hlalanathi Resort
Popular Attractions
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Bergville (76.8 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) All Out Adventures offer over 100 km of well-marked mountain bike trails for all fitness and skill levels in the Northern Drakensberg. Extreme mountain bikers use this terrain to train for the Cape Epic, Sani and Joberg 2 C riders. Riders can choose between tough training rides and easy rides for families on a mountain biking holiday in the Berg. Maps are available.
Popular Attractions
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Bergville (76.8 km from Nambiti Private Game Reserve) Westline Aviation offer scenic helicopter flights in the Northern Drakensberg region. Flight solutions can be tailored to suit particular needs, corporate services, tourism and special events. They operate from Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort, Cathedral Peak Hotel and the Tower of Pizza .