Ithala Game Reserve

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Ithala Game Reserve

Giraffe amid mountainous terrain in Ithala Game Reserve.
Location of the reserve in KwaZulu-Natal
Location KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Nearest city Durban, South Africa
Coordinates 27°30′57″S 31°19′53″E / 27.51594°S 31.33129°E / -27.51594; 31.33129Coordinates: 27°30′57″S 31°19′53″E / 27.51594°S 31.33129°E / -27.51594; 31.33129
Area 290 km2 (110 sq mi)
Established 1973
Governing body Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife

Ithala Game Reserve, 290 km2 of rugged, mountainous thornveld in northern KwaZulu-Natal, about 400 km north of Durban. It is one of the youngest game parks in South Africa. The altitude varies from 400 m (Phongolo River) to 1450 m (Ngotshe Mountains), so there is a great variation of terrain which extends over lowveld and densely vegetated river valleys to high-lying grassland plateaus, ridges and cliff faces.

All the big game species have been re-established with the exception of lion.

History

  • In the late 1800s land was given by King Dinizulu to white farmers.
  • In 1973 the then Natal Parks Board started buying up farms in this area to make up this Reserve.

Trivia

  • There are two abandoned gold mines found at Ithala.

See also

  • List of conservation areas of South Africa

References

    External links

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