Louwsburg, Zululand
In the far northern reaches of KwaZulu Natal, Louwsburg is a little village on the main road to Pongola, about 70 kilometres east of Vryheid and roughly 400 kilometres north of Durban. Essentially this is a rural town supporting the local cattle and maize farming community. Louwsburg has a Zulu name, Ngotshe, which means “cave”, although just where the cave is to which the name alludes, is anyone’s guess. Benedictines began doing pastoral work around Louwsburg in 1926 and were offered a property in Louwsburg with the proviso that they would not start a school for black children. The Benedictines thus bought a property outside Louwsburg, which subsequently became a mission station, managing only to keep its head above water before closing in 1976.
The main reason for a visit to Louwsburg is its position en route to the Ithala Game Reserve as well as a number of private game reserves in the vicinity. This part of the world is particularly beautiful - rolling hills covered in mountainous thornveld for which the province is so famous, provide an impressive backdrop for game viewing, bush trails, bird watching and bush trails.
Itala Game Reserve is situated immediately north-west of Louwsburg, overlooking the Pongola River Valley. The reserve lies across various terrains, including lowveld, densely vegetated river valleys and high-lying grassland plateaus, cliff faces and ridges, which means that there is an incredible diversity to your game viewing. Six rivers, all tributaries of the Pongola, run through the reserve, and all of the big game species, other than lion, have been re-introduced into the area.
Travellers' Reviews
1 Review from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
Our main aim was to see the Ithala Game Reserve when we stayed in Louwsberg. We had a fab time in the area - spending most of it looking out for birds and wildlife. Louwsberg itself was pleasant and conveniently close to Ithala and a number of other sights.
Wyona (Plett)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
The lodge is ground breaking in being the first private facility within Africa's oldest proclaimed reserve, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. With access t...
Isandlwana Lodge
Isandlwana Lodge offers splendid accommodation, tours of Anglo Zulu and Anglo Boer battle sites. Guests may also enjoy photographic safaris, walk...
Kaya Bella
Located in a peaceful and scenic eco estate, Kaya Bella is a spacious holiday house offering accommodation for six guests in three large bedrooms...
Gazebo with Grace
Gazebo with Grace is a delightful two-bedroom apartment situated in a secure complex off the R22 filled with fever trees on the outskirts of Hluh...
Mkhulu's House
Mkhulu's House is a private two bedroom home is 200 metres from the main Hluhluwe River Lodge and is ideal for a family of four or two couples. T...
Umuzi Guesthouse
Umuzi Guesthouse is located in Meerensee and offers accommodation, excellent food and the ideal base of operation from which to explore the area....
Gecko Inn Holiday House
Gecko Inn Holiday House offers Richards Bay Accommodation, the true gateway to the most prestigious game parks, game lodges and sanctuaries in Zu...
Sugar Hill Manor Guesthouse
Situated in Eshowe, Sugar Hill Manor offers accommodation in a 100 year old Victorian home which boasts stunning views of the countryside. The pr...
African Dwarf Kingfisher Guesthouse
African Dwarf Kingfisher Guest House is situated in Eshowe, ideal for those on the Zululand Birding Route and close to Dlinza Forest. Quality acc...
Things to do in the area
Ithala Game Reserve 4x4 Trails
The thala Game Reserve 4x4 trail is a self-drive rocky mountain track with river crossings. Booking beforehand is essential because only three ve...
Bivane 4x4 Trail
The Bivane 4x4 Trail is a 17-kilometre one that winds, climbs and plummets through the Ithala Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. This part of the cou...
Noteworthy attractions
AmaZulu Game Reserve
Situated in Northern KwaZulu Natal, on the banks of the Mkuze River, the Amazulu Private Game Reserve is the home of the Amakhosi and Mkuze Falls...
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the only park under formal conservation in KwaZulu Natal where the Big Five occur. Established in 1895, this is the...
Ithala Game Reserve
This magnificent Ithala Game reserve, tumbling from the heights of the Ngotshe Mountains a thousand meters down into a deep valley, carved over t...
Mkhuze Game Reserve
Situated in northern Zululand, this 40 000 hectare reserve was proclaimed a protected area in 1912. Mkuze Game Reserve constitutes the north west...
Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve
Situated in the heart of historic Zululand in the South African province of KwaZulu Natal, Mkuze Falls is one of only two Private Game Reserves i...
Pakamisa Game Reserve
The Pakamisa Private Game Reserve comprises a pristine malaria free wilderness area of some 2500 hectares. Access to the reserve is restricted, e...
Pongola Nature 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. Pongola Nat...
Richards Bay Game Reserve
The Reserve has remnant stands of swamp forest, the Thulazihleka Bird viewing hide in small swamp and the Tidal Mudflats and shallows south of th...
Ubizane Wildlife Reserve
Ubizane Wildlife Reserve boasts a variety of wildlife including white rhino, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, most species of antelope, and over 350 s...
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