Pongola Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal of South Africa, is a scenic getaway that offers great water based activities for relaxing adventures whilst game viewing on the Pongola River and lake. 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 Pongola River runs through the centre of the reserve before entering the man-made 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. The area is home to many typical plains game species, four of the Big Five (excluding lion), Hippopotamus and crocodile.
Pongola Game Reserve is also a birding "hotspot". Over 350 species have so far been recorded here. One can also enjoy the experience of tracking rhino on foot and participating in the elephant monitoring programme. Pongola offered prime hunting in the 19th century. The vast herds attracted adventurers and hunters who made fortunes from the sale of ivory and skins.
An early hunter called Elephant White ran an extremely successful business, with some clients shooting as many as 150 elephants in one season. Towards the end of the century game was becoming scarce and in 1894 President Paul Kruger proclaimed the Pongola Game Reserve.
After the construction of the controversial Jozini Dam (which was considered a failure because it could not stimulate farming in the area), landowners such as the Kohrs decided to restore the area to its wilderness state. They began stocking with game rather than cattle. The Pongola Game Reserve was established in 1993 as a co-operative conservation project between private landowners, local communities and Kwazulu-Natal Nature Conservation Services.
By Justin Fox
The ‘new’ Pongola Game Reserve is privately owned and overlaps in part over the previous reserve. An area, originally part of the ‘old...
The lodges in Pongola Game Reserve are aimed at the active traveller, offering fishing, game walks and canoeing, boat cruises, as well as ga...