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Ithala Game Reserve travel info Game viewing or just relaxing are the main interests in this beautiful reserve in Zululand. With the exception of lion, all the major game species occur in Itala. Of the 30 000 ha, about a quarter is open bushveld and much of the remaining area consists of steep valleys with dense vegetation.
Three major veld types - lowveld, tall grassveld and mountain sourveld are represented at Itala. In additional. other habitats such as cliff-faces, rivers and streams, granite boulder outcrops and deep narrow valleys provide places for a great variety of plants and animals, including over 20 species of indigenous fish, over 80 species of mammals, over 320 bird species and probably close to 100 species of amphibia and reptiles. Animals occurring in the reserve that are considered rare and endangered include greater bushbaby, leopard, honey-badger, brown hyena, pangolin, tsessebe, goliath heron, bald ibis, bathawk, martial eagle, brown-necked parrot and cape eagle-owl.
Season
Zululand has a warm, sub-tropical climate with summer rainfall. Summer is hot and humid (temperature average 28 degrees Celsius). Winter (winter temperature average 23 degrees Celsius) is warm, dry and clear.
Wildlife
You should see: elephant, white- and black rhino, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, impala, red hartebeest, eland, kudu, waterbuck, tsessebe
You may see: oribi, common- and mountain reedbuck, steenbok, grey duiker, leopard, spotted hyaena, brown hyaena
Precautions
Malaria area - minimize mosquito bites by wearing light, long sleeved clothing and using effective insect repellents (containing Diethyltoluamide DEET) on exposed skin. Sleep under treated mosquito netting or ensure that the doors and windows of your accommodation are screened against mosquitoes. Having a fan or air-conditioner on at night will further suppress mosquito activity. Currently, the three effective anti-malaria tablets are Mefloquine (Lariam or Mefliam), Doxycycline and Malarone (Malanil). It is still possible to contract malaria while on malaria prophylaxis. Note that Lariam may present serious side-effects - please test before you depart.
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