Thalu Bushcamp is serviced daily and has gas lighting. Ithala is a place of great seasonal contrast. In spring the grasslands are alive with warthogs. Hundreds of aloes transform the drab winter browns into a spectacular landscape. With its many perennial streams and rivers, and the frequent occurrence of cliffs and rock faces, Ithala is also the ideal haven for a large variety of birds.
The absence of lion makes for a relaxed air among these animals and other game such as zebra, blue wildebeest and a wide variety of antelope. These include impala, oribi, red hartebeest, eland, kudu, waterbuck, tsessebe, common and mountain reedbuck, steenbok and grey duiker. Predators which are not often seen are leopard, spotted hyaena and brown hyaena. Sightings of large birds at Ithala may include black eagles, lappet-faced and white-backed vultures, ostriches and secretary birds stalking across the veld.
The reserve has a typical bushveld climate, having hot summers with afternoon thunderstorms and mild winters with occasional frosts. Geological diversity contributes to habitat diversity. Different soils are generated and these produce a variety of vegetation types which can accommodate a wide variety of animal, insect and bird life.
From the highveld plateau, Ngotse Mountain drops sharply into the Ngubu basin, which takes its name from the Ngubu River. The surrounding cliffs were formed when molten lava, failing to reach the surface, cooled to form a horizontal sill of dolerite.
This was gradually exposed as the surrounding sandstones and shales were eroded. Black eagles, bald ibis, and klipspringer frequent the area.
Below the cliffs are steep rocky scree slopes covered by forest and woodland, characterized by candelabra, cabbage, and fig trees. At the base of the scree slopes lies the vlei areas, characterized by wetland sedges and grasses interspersed with woodland. This important area serves as a sponge, holding and filtering rainwater and maintaining a flow of clear water to the river below. Without this, the rivers would soon turn into silt-choked watercourses all too common in other places.
This area is ideal for reedbuck, buffalo, and elephant. Several rivers rise in or just out of the reserve, winding to the Pongola River, which forms the northern boundary. These rivers are attractive, with waterfalls, pools, and gorges flanked by dense thickets and riverine forest. Below the escarpment are undulating plains of open thornveld, characterized by scented acacia and inhabited by kudu, giraffe, impala and grey duiker.
Thornveld gives way to grasslands used by grazers such as white rhino, zebra, wildebeest, eland, and hartebeest. Each of these has a particular niche in grassland utilization.
Animal and habitats have to be continually managed. Thus, while introduced herbivores have flourished, scavengers such as hyena and vultures remained largely absent or at very low numbers due to the lack of carrion in the veld.
This approximates two wildebeest per week, one of which is left in the veld and at the vulture-feeding site near Ntshondwe camp. The program has been a great success. When it was started over three years ago, there were very few vultures found in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The first arrivals were White-backed vultures, later joined by Lappet-faced and then Cape vultures. Every carcass now attracts these scavengers, sometimes up to White-backed vultures at a time along with others.
An unusual phenomenon now occurs at Ithala where Lappet-faced vultures are seen in groups of twelve they normally occur singly or in pairs. A Whitehead vulture has been sighted and there have been unconfirmed reports of a Hooded Vulture.
Two other exciting scavengers seen have been tawny eagles and bateleurs. Hopefully, these two eagles and the vultures will start nesting in the reserve. Other creatures ranging from insects to smaller carnivores and larger scavengers are benefiting from the program.
Monitoring has established that in addition to hyena and jackal, many other animals are visiting the carcasses. These include mongoose, genet, and African wildcat, even honey badger, and nomadic Cape wild dog.
The loosely structured herds in the bushveld areas of the reserve consist of females and juveniles. Males are usually solitary. Females are generally lighter in build than males and have smaller, inward curling horns. The males use their larger and sturdier horns infighting. This consists of butting an opponent with head and neck.
Age causes the brown patchwork pattern markings to darken in the males. Despite the length of its neck, the giraffe has the same number of vertebrae as any other mammal. Red-billed Oxpeckers After years of near extinction from this area, 97 red-billed oxpeckers were reintroduced to Ithala in November from Kruger National Park. This followed a survey to ensure that the reserve would be able to support the birds and that cattle dips and other poisons used on surrounding farms were environmentally friendly.
Visitors to Ithala help monitor the oxpeckers by filing in sighting forms. In sighting of 14 immature birds were recorded.
This confirmed that they had accepted their new home and that their preferred tick species were available in sufficient quantities. Oxpeckers nest and roost in natural tree holes. Clearly, the reserve offers this essential requirement as there was a second record of breeding in Data show that the birds are using a wide range of animal species, from elephant to impala, throughout the reserve.
The area provided iron ore and wild olive wood used in local Iron Age smelting operations. The San also used the region, leaving their rock art in several sites in the eastern part of the reserve.
The Zulu wars and the reign of Shaka saw many people seeking refuge in the caves found along the cliffs of Ithala. Traces of this refugee occupation are still to be found. Prior to its proclamation as a Game Reserve in , the land had been in white ownership since In that year, the Zulu King Dinizulu granted more than 1. The game was abundant before the arrival of the white settlers.
There are times when we get so caught up in our lives that we forget to appreciate the finer details. Tala Game Reserve Accommodation. Widest …. The Tala Bridal Fair The ultimate touring experience for discovering the many interesting and historically significant places to visit With so many exciting places to visit on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, you are certain to find a Durban tour that will entertain and enthrall you.
Plan your time carefully Giftday offers flying activity gift vouchers that can be sent anywhere in South Africa as experience gifts - for all special occasions. Next - Accommodation. Rates and Prices. Contact Us. Toggle navigation Enquire current.
0コメント