Nature Reserves
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Phongolo Game Reserve Stretching from the Lebombo Mountains down across the Phongolopoort Dam, Phongolo Game Reserve has much to offer visitors.
From a conservation perspective, the reserve contains a large number of special ecosystems and habitats with the unique Golela veld providing an important breeding habitat for rare Suni antelope. Other habitats are the species-rich Lobombo Mountain forests and the Themeda grassveld scattered with knobthorn and maroela trees.
Phongolo Game Reserve is home to over 300 bird species and a range of plains game including white rhino, giraffe, blue wildebeest, kudu, impala, nyala, warthog, waterbuck, common and mountain reedbuck and zebra.
The dam has large families of hippos, crocodiles as well as numerous fish species. One of these is the tiger fish, a highly desirable catch at fishing competitions taking place here throughout the year. Facilities offer two boat launch sites, a campsite with cold showers, flush toilets and an adjacent picnic site for day trippers.
Phongolo Game Reserve lies within a malaria area and visitors are advised to take precautions. Swimming is prohibited in the dam because of crocodiles and hippos.
+27 (0) 34 435 1012
Gate Entry Times:
Summer 05:00 – 19:00
Winter 06:00 – 18:00.
Things to do near
Phongolo Game Reserve
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Nature Reserves
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Mkhuze Game Reserve (54.9 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) Renowned as a place of great beauty and high contrasts, Mkhuze Game Reserve is also known for its rich birdlife. Situated in northern Zululand, the park forms the north western point of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boasting more than 420 recorded bird species, it is a popular spot for birdwatchers.
Two magnificent pans are home to families of hippo, crocodile, pink-backed and white pelicans, as well as numerous waterbirds. The Mkhuze River forms the reserve's northern and eastern borders and supports a lovely stretch of fig forest along its banks. Fish eagles can regularly be seen swooping to catch fish over the pans.
Visitors have the chance of spotting black and white rhino, elephant, giraffe, leopard, buffalo, nyala, blue wildebeest, warthog, impala, kudu and smaller antelope. Look out for rare sightings of cheetah, hyena and tiny suni antelope. There is excellent bird and animal viewing opportunities from three hides. A trip to the Zulu cultural village inside the reserve offers an interesting view of the lifestyle and crafts of the KwaJobe community.
Nature Reserves
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Louwsburg (60.4 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) Offering four of the Big Five, prolific birdlife and spectacular mountain scenery, Ithala Game Reserve is definitely worth a visit. The park is run by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and features self-guided walking and auto trails, picnic sites, braai facilities, a shop and the award-winning Ntshondwe Camp.
Elephant, giraffe, buffalo, white and black rhino can easily be seen in Ithala. Other wildlife to spot includes zebra, mountain reedbuck, blue wildebeest, tsessebe, eland, red hartebeest and smaller antelope. A fantastic way to see the birds, plants and animals is to go on a self-guided walk on any of the routes through the wooded mountainside above Ntshondwe Camp.
Ithala is also renowned as the setting for many historic events, including the reign of Shaka, his successive Zulu kings and early gold mining enterprises. Stone Age spears and axe heads dating back 20 000 years have been found here. There is also evidence of a thriving iron industry dating back a few hundred years with numerous smelting sites situated adjacent to deposits of banded ironstone.
Four By Four Trails
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Bivane (63.1 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) Bivane 4x4 Trail is located in the Ithala Game Reserve and the nearest town is Vryheid, 67 km away. The route takes you through the reserve with fantastic views. Be aware that there are no escape tracks on this route and it can be quite treacherous during the rainy seasons.
The Bivane 4x4 Trail is 17 km in length and takes about 5 hours to complete. The trail is graded between 3 and 5 and low range, high clearance vehicles are required. This is a self-drive route. Please call in advance for weather checks and fees.
Four By Four Trails
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Louwsburg (63.1 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) Ithala Game Reserve 4x4 Trails is not well-known for 4x4ing but unknown to many, they offer two trails. The Bivane Trail offers more of a challenge and requires a low range vehicle. This trail has easy stream crossings. The Nce Nce Trail is a more scenic route with a bit more emphasis on game viewing. A 4x2 vehicle can be used on this trail. High clearance vehicles are required for both. The trails are 18 km and 34 km and take about 4 to 6 hours to complete. The difficulty grading is from 2 to 4. Please call for further information.
Nature Reserves
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Ndumo Game Reserve (70.6 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) Situated near Tembe Elephant Park on the Mozambique border, Ndumo Game Reserve is celebrated for its magnificent bird life and is home to a staggering 430 bird species.
Not only does Ndumo boast the highest bird count in South Africa, the reserve has a variety of habitats with many beautiful pans fringed by yellow fever trees, vast wetlands, acacia savannah and unique sand forest. The Pongola River flows through it to the confluence with the Usuthu River on the park’s northern boundary.
Birders should keep a keen lookout for Pell's fishing owl, the broadbill, southern banded snake eagle and a variety of tropical East African birds at the southernmost limit of their range. The wetlands are home to an astonishing range of waterbirds including pelicans, black egrets and pygmy geese.
Suni antelope, nyala, bushbuck, impala, red duiker, black and white rhino, hippo and crocodile are regularly spotted. Entomologists find Ndumo particularly exciting with a fascinating array of insects including 66 recorded species of mosquito!
Guided day walks or morning and afternoon drive tours can be arranged at the reception office. Certain areas of the reserve can be explored by visitors in their own vehicles.
Nature Reserves
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Tembe Elephant Park (83.9 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) Situated in an area that was once the ancient ‘Ivory Route' linking Mozambique and Zululand, Tembe Elephant Park is renowned for having the largest elephants in Africa – and the planet!
The park is remote, lying deep in the sand forests and wetlands in northern Tongaland, right on the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique. You will need a 4WD vehicle to negotiate the sand tacks and only ten vehicles are allowed into the park daily, but it’s definitely worth the effort. This is where you can meet over 220 of these elephants thriving in their ancestral birthplace.
Along with seeing these gentle giants, you can also spot the rest of the Big Five – lion, leopard, black and white rhino and buffalo. There is also the tiniest antelope, the Suni, and a spectacular variety of animals and over 340 bird species. The park consists mainly of closed woodland but offers a great diversity of vegetation, lying within a transition area between tropical and sub-tropical forms.
Nature Reserves
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Hluhluwe (86.2 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) Established in 1895, wildlife viewing has always been the prime attraction at Hluhluwe, close range sightings made all the more exciting with viewing hides conveniently overlooking waterholes.
Today the reserve is part of the greater Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park covering 96 000 hectares and containing an immense diversity of animals, birds and plant life.
Home once more to the Big Five, Hluhluwe Game Reserve is also the headquarters of Operation Rhino and is internationally renowned for its white rhino conservation.
Hluhluwe makes up the northern section of the park, characterised by undulating hills of savannah vegetation and woodlands. Along with game-viewing drives, there are two self-guided drive routes which give insight into the management and natural history of the park. Highly recommended are the early morning and late afternoon guided walks.
Nature Reserves
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Greater St Lucia Wetland Park (88.5 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) False Bay Park is situated along the western shore of False Bay, Lake St Lucia. It lies within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's third-largest protected area, spanning an incredible 280 km stretch of coastline.
Popular Attractions
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Bivane (89.1 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) River rafting on the Bivane River is an exciting and thrilling experience for kayaking and canoeing lovers.
The waters can get turbulent, especially below the Bivane dam; perfect for some challenging white-water fun. Trips must be made on arrangement with the local authorities.
Popular Attractions
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Bivane (90.4 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) Bivane Dam is the perfect location to enjoy some thrilling water sport activites.
Bring along your boat and water ski on this clear water dam. Jet skis are also welcome.
Mountain Biking Trails
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Bivane (90.4 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) Bivane Dam comes with it's very own mountain bike trail for the biking enthusiasts visiting the area.
The trail has long and steep gradients. Check in at the office for more details.
Popular Attractions
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Bivane (90.5 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) Bivane Dam has numerous trails for you to tackle on quad bike, suitable for all levels of experience. Please be sure to bring your own bike and equipment.
Dams Vleis
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Bivane (90.5 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) The Bivane Dam is located on the R69 between Pongola and Vryheid. Built on the Bivane River, the dam covers an area of 700 hectares.
Well known for its variety of outdoor activities and water sports, the area has hosted several angling events each year, as well as the annual Ithala Challenge Canoe Marathon. For canoeing enthusiats, the turbulent waters on the river below the dam is perfect. Quad biking, 4 x 4 trailing, hiking, mountain biking and bird watching are becoming increasingly popular as well.
Popular Attractions
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Bivane (90.5 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) Bass fishing is a popular activity at Bivane Dam, which is best done from a boat.
Annual bass fishing competitions are held annually at this beautiful and scenic fishing venue. There is an abundance of under-water structures and the water is very clear, making stealth as essential element of your fishing strategy. Other fishing varieties include yellow fish, carp and barbel.
Popular Attractions
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Bivane (90.5 km from Phongolo Game Reserve) The Bivane Dam area is host to an incredible amount bird species.
If you're a keen bird watcher, the Bivane Dam area will definitely have something to offer.
Photo courtesy of Hennie Heystek.