We decided to visit Pongola Dam Game Reserve. My son Michael`s best friend Pg Beukes joint us and we drove with his bakkie. It is a two-hour 30 minutes’ drive from Richards Bay. (Directions)
This is one of the oldest private game reserves in Zululand. It borders on the Josini Dam and is amazing for water birds.
We stayed at the Ngwenya Lodge. It is an amazing venue. It is self-catering chalets with a massive central kitchen, Lapa, sitting room and a view over part of the river. The atmosphere is awesome and we braaied in the evenings.
There are various options from hunting camps to chalets next to Jozini dam.This is a must do destination in Zululand.
We decided to rent a boat and do a day trip on the dam. We saw an amazing variety of birds. Our highlight was a lonely elephant swimming in the dam and mock chasing us.
Some special birds were: White-faced Whistling-Duck, Openbill Stork, Golden-breasted Bunting, Red-billed Firefinch, Crowned Hornbill and Goliath Heron.
We saw a variety of mammals.
Bird Species:23
Mammals: 8
A few photos of the trip: