There is nothing inferior about Ithala: the countryside dramatically falls some 1 000 m from Ngotshe Mountain in the northern KwaZulu-Natal Midlands to the Pongola River in the Lowveld, covering a variety of habitats.
Ntshondwe Resort is located on the lower slopes of the mountain - pink-and-orange sandstone cliffs tower above it and rolling plains lie before it, offering expansive views. It has garnered many design and accommodation awards.