Ithala Game Reserve

Ithala Game Reserve
Giraffe amid mountainous terrain in Ithala
Map showing the location of Ithala Game Reserve
Map showing the location of Ithala Game Reserve
Location of the reserve in KwaZulu-Natal
LocationKwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Nearest cityDurban, South Africa
Coordinates27°32′48″S 31°18′49″E / 27.546705°S 31.313532°E / -27.546705; 31.313532
Area290 km2 (110 sq mi)
Established1973
Governing bodyEzemvelo KZN Wildlife

Ithala Game Reserve is situated in 290 km2 of rugged, mountainous thornveld, about 400 km north of Durban, in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is one of the youngest game parks in South Africa. The altitude varies from 400 m along the Phongolo River to 1,450 m along the Ngotshe Mountain escarpment. The reserve consequently encompasses a great variation of terrain, from densely vegetated river valleys and lowveld to sourveld, high-lying grassland plateaus, mountain ridges and cliff faces.