Things to Do in Vryheid

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.

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