Wildlife:

Landscape:

These stark topographical differences create significant variations in climate. Once used for grazing cattle, Mthethomusha Game Reserve has been restocked with diverse game and restored to its original, pristine state. Stones that once made up a sacred shrine at Bongani Mountain Lodge are reminders of the colourful ancient history of the Reserve.

Game

The granite hilltops and boulder outcrops at Bongani provide an important habitat for a number of plant and animal species that are not found or are rare on the wooded slopes and valleys. The agile, solidly built klipspringers are confined to rocky places and the socially complex chacma baboons use the highest peaks as lookout points. Predators include lion and leopard. Critically endangered wild dog can be seen in the Mthethomusha Game Reserve as well as in the adjoining Kruger National Park.

Birds

Reptiles

Flora

Habitats

Conservation

The lodge is operated along the lines of ecotourism, wildlife and community related issues, similar to the world-renowned Londolozi and Phinda Private Game Reserves, also in South Africa. San (Bushman) rock art sites within the Mthethomusha Game Reserve are protected from threat (excluding weathering), and their conservation status is assured. Sites on adjoining land face numerous threats. The only way to safeguard them is to involve local communities in their conservation, partially through tourism and interpretations for visitors.