Bonamanzi Game Reserve is home to an array of different antelope species, as well as the main favourites: elephant, buffalo, leopard, hippo, crocodile, giraffe, warthog, wildebeest and zebra.
Game Drives
One of the best ways to get out into the wilderness to meet these local residents is by a 4x4 game drive. Night drives with a spotlight will present you with the opportunity to catch nocturnal creatures as they skulk around under the cover of darkness, and if you are very lucky, a glimpse of a leopard. Snacks and drinks are also served on drives.
Guided Walks
Guided walks within this game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal get you right into the bush, instead of just viewing it from the outside. There is nothing more intimate than exploring the African bushveld on foot, led by your tracker-guide who will tell you how the Ilala palm is used to make beer, as well as how the Fever tree got its name. Walks go through the floodplains into Lake St. Lucia where you can witness the breeding grounds of the pink-baked flamingos, pelicans and spoonbills.Boat Cruises
One of the most popular activities at Bonamanzi Game Reserve are the boat cruises. Nothing beats heading down the Hluhluwe River, as you spot kingfisher, crocodiles, spurwing geese and all sorts of river birds and animals. You will also get to enjoy some snacks and refreshments as you go.Zulu Culture
After breakfast, you can also join a walking tour of a rural Zulu village (DumaZulu), which lasts around 1.5 hours. Here, you can witness modern tribal life in South Africa and learn about Zulu customs.
Bonamanzi also hosts 'Traditional Mysticism Evenings' where you will be taken on a 20 minute game drive to the village where you can enjoy some sundowners and snacks whilst being entertained by a Zulu sangoma (traditional healer). Be regaled by the sangomas stories and have your fortune told as she 'throws the bones' to see into the future. This rich cultural experience will keep you entertained and give a glimpse into the Zulu culture of South Africa.
The treehouses at Bonamanzi Game Reserve near Lake St Lucia are a far cry from the one you had as a kid — they have air-conditioning and e...