Pongola, Zululand
The town of Pongola is small town just 10 km from the Swaziland border in the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains. Rich in Anglo and Zulu Boer War history, Pongola is surrounded by 50 km˛ of sugarcane and subtropical fruit plantations. It is just 270 km from the southern gates of the Kruger Park and tourist attractions include local game farms and lodges, the Pongolapoort or Jozini Dam and a local 9-hole golf course. Pongola lies on the N2, wedged between the Swaziland border and the Phongolo River, meaning ‘the trough' because of its long, deep pools with steep sides.
This river plays an important role in the area, filling the pans with water in flood season and supporting a population of fish, crocodiles, hippos, aquatic birds and people. Where the Pongolo River passes through the Lebombo Mountains is Jozini dam, very popular as a Tiger fishing destination that borders with the Pongola Nature Reserve and Game Reserve, meaning you can view wildlife from a boat on the dam.
A main attraction in Pongola is the Pongola Game Reserve, a private farm through which the Pongola River runs. The area around Pongola is home today to 4 of the Big 5, just the lion is excluded from this list. One can participate in a local Rhino tracking programme on foot and there is also an Elephant tracking programme. Initially, both of these animals were on hunters' hit lists so that what appeared to be an inexhaustible number of game dwindled fast.
In 1894 Paul Kruger, President of the old Transvaal Republic, declared the Pongola Game Reserve. Today, this has been re-proclaimed, at least in part, as the Pongola Bush Nature Reserve, which borders on the Pongola Game Reserve. The Pongola Bush Nature Reserve contains a valuable piece of mist belt, evergreen forest with fine examples of yellowwood trees and over 120 species of bird. The reserve can only be visited following an arrangement with the KwaZulu Natal Wildlife zone officer.
Travellers' Reviews
2 Reviews from SA-Venues.com travellers. All reviews are verified.
Verified review
We really liked Pongola because, although the actual town is small and a little "sleepy", it is close to the game reserves and other areas that we wanted to visit. It was convenient and it was quite easy to get accommodation here.
Zita Springfield (Nelspruit)
Verified review
I'm from Pongola by origin but moved to Durban 10 years ago. This is a place to be and everyone must come down to Pongola. . . For a great time under the african sky. . Beautiful sunset and wonder people. . A place to be if you want quality time to yourself ! I love it ! Love it ! Love it !
ntombifuthi msibi (pongola)
In the vicinity
Hotels & other accommodation options
Coco Cabana Guest House
Coco Cabana Guest House is a small, intimate guest house in Pongola offering elegant interiors. With easy access from the N2, the guest house is ...
Elegant Lodge
Elegant Lodge offers luxury accommodation opposite the golf course, with a beautifully landscaped garden, secure parking and spacious lounge and ...
Ndlovukazi River Chalets
Ndlovukazi River Chalets offer self catering in Pongola on the banks of the Mkuze River. The chalets provide unique accommodation on the Big 5 Am...
Tamboti Ridge Bed & Breakfast
Tamboti Ridge offers accommodation in a lovely sub-tropical garden with a breathtaking view up the Pongola River. It is ideally located 1km off t...
Shayamoya Tiger Fishing & Game Lodge
With stunning views from the wide wooden deck, panoramic images embrace the Lebombo Mountains and Lake Jozini, home to the ferocious fighting tig...
Amakhosi Safari Lodge
AmaKhosi translated from Zulu means "The Place of the Kings" - at AmaKhosi Safari Lodge, guests can expect luxurious accommodation, outstanding c...
Somkhanda Game Reserve
Somkhanda Game Reserve offers accommodation in Mkuze and is a community-owned Big 5 game reserve located in northern Zululand stretching across 1...
AfriCamps at White Elephant Safaris
AfriCamps at White Elephant Safaris is located in the thriving Pongola Game Reserve, at the foot of the majestic Lebombo Mountains in KwaZulu-Nat...
Pakamisa Private Game Reserve
Majestically positioned in the spectacular mountainous region of northern Zululand, the hotel is some 30 km south-west of the small town Pongola ...
Belvedere Game Ranch
Belvedere Game Ranch offers accommodation in Magudu on a 1400 hectare farm. This family-run lodge is situated in the centre of the reserve and is...
isiGodlo Villa
Amakhosi Private House, also known as "IsiGodlo" meaning a Chief residence, is our private house which overlooks the meandering Mkuze River and i...
Makongo Hills
Across the great Mkuze River, deep in the lines of a historic Zulu battle, stretches six thousand hectares of untouched African wilderness, Ven-A...
Mkuze Falls Game Lodge
Situated between the Kruger National Park and the Zululand Coast - the same Africa, a different world! Mkuze Falls is one of only two Private Gam...
Pongolapoort Safari Lodge
Pongolapoort Safari Camp is a premium, privately owned lodge situated within the Pongola Reserve, providing an exceptional bush experience along ...
The Guest House Pongola
The Guest House Pongola is well positioned in a beautiful tropical garden. The rooms offered are spacious and inviting with air-con and heating, ...
Belvedere Lodge
Belvedere Lodge is a self catering house offering accommodation in Magudu on a 1400 hectare farm. There is a wide variety of game on the Ranch....
Nkonkoni Tiger Fishing Camp
Nkonkoni Tiger Fishing Camp, located in Jozini within the Pongola Game Reserve is a fabulous place for a getaway. Accommodation is offered in sel...
Shayamoya Rustic Bush Camp
Shayamoya Rustic Bush Camp offers accommodation in Pongola in a unique camp with a spectacular setting and breathtaking views of Lake Jozini, the...
Things to do in the area
Bivane Dam
The breath-taking vistas of the Bivane Dam have ensured that this remains a popular spot for families, friends and couples to visit. This dam is ...
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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