PONGOLA GAME RESERVE
The Pongola Nature Reserve was first proclaimed in 1894 and is the second oldest reserve in the world and the oldest in South Africa. The Pongola Nature Reserve has hippo, crocodile, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala and hyena, amongst others. There are also more than 350 bird species. Of particular interest among plant species are the abundant cycads in the mountains. There are at least 25 indigenous fish species, 60 species of mammals and close to 100 species of reptiles and amphibia. Rare or endangered animals include the honey badger and wild dog.
Pongola Nature Reserve is a sanctuary to a large variety of wildlife, including elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala, hyena, buffalo, rhino and leopard. 100 years ago after the last sighting of elephant in the Pongola area, two breeding herds were reintroduced.
Pongola Nature Reserve is a co-operative conservation project between private landowners, tribal communities and government conservation services, and forms the heart of a large ecological and socio-economically viable "Big Five" reserve. Allied to this quest, the "Space for Elephant" Foundation has been formed to realise the goal of a biosphere large enough to viably sustain an elephant population of a thousand elephants and allow the re-establishment of the ancient elephant migration routes. Elephant tracking with the conservation team and Black Rhino tracking activities are offered by White Elephant Safari Lodge.
The reserve extends over part of the original area that, in 1894, was declared the Pongola Game Reserve by Paul Kruger, President of the old Transvaal Republic. The original reserve has since been re-proclaimed, in part, as the Phongolo Nature Reserve, which is the present Pongola Game Reserve's immediate neighbour.
The Pongola River, broad and perennial, meanders through the centre of the reserve before entering the 13 276-hectare lake. It provides a leisure environment unique for a South African bushveld destination. Safari cruises, canoe adventures, birding and tiger fishing are among the main activities.
Pongola Nature Reserve is a sanctuary to a large variety of wildlife, including elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, impala, hyena, buffalo, rhino and leopard. 100 years ago after the last sighting of elephant in the Pongola area, two breeding herds were reintroduced.
Pongola Nature Reserve is a co-operative conservation project between private landowners, tribal communities and government conservation services, and forms the heart of a large ecological and socio-economically viable "Big Five" reserve. Allied to this quest, the "Space for Elephant" Foundation has been formed to realise the goal of a biosphere large enough to viably sustain an elephant population of a thousand elephants and allow the re-establishment of the ancient elephant migration routes. Elephant tracking with the conservation team and Black Rhino tracking activities are offered by White Elephant Safari Lodge.
The reserve extends over part of the original area that, in 1894, was declared the Pongola Game Reserve by Paul Kruger, President of the old Transvaal Republic. The original reserve has since been re-proclaimed, in part, as the Phongolo Nature Reserve, which is the present Pongola Game Reserve's immediate neighbour.
The Pongola River, broad and perennial, meanders through the centre of the reserve before entering the 13 276-hectare lake. It provides a leisure environment unique for a South African bushveld destination. Safari cruises, canoe adventures, birding and tiger fishing are among the main activities.