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
Indwe Farm Stay
Indwe Farm Stay offers Vryheid accommodation in a cottage located in the historic Bloodriver area. Where the Boers trekked into the great unknown...
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 ...
Oxford Lodge
Oxford Lodge can be found in Vryheid and is close to restaurants, shops and local amenities. Here you can enjoy a peaceful getaway, fantastic ser...
Kwantulindawo Guest House
Kwantulindawo Vryheid offers accommodation in ten elegantly furnished rooms. The guesthouse is conveniently situated right in the heart of Vryhei...
ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe
Rich in natural ambience and with a distinctively African rhythm, ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe treats guests to luxurious accommodation, tantalising cuisi...
Riverview B&B
At Riverview you can be assured of a warm and friendly atmosphere. We offer accommodation in 16 comfortably bedrooms; either single, double or tw...
Cadle House
Cadle House, situated in Vryheid is only a short distance from Ntingonono Environmental Centre and Vryheid Hill Nature Reserve. The house is set ...
On the Bay 108
On the Bay 108 is located alongside the canal joining the Richards Bay Harbour in the prestigious Mzingazi Waterfront Village in Richards Bay. Th...
Eagles Nest Guesthouse
Eagles Nest Guesthouse is set in the heart of Eshowe, which is surrounded by the natural Dlinza Forest. The Guest house offers a total of eight r...
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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