Getting to Pakamisa Private Game Reserve, Pongola Valley

Pakamisa Private Game Reserve overlooks the Swazi Kingdom and Pongola Valley in northern Zululand. This reserve is about four hours from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Located in the mountainous region that borders Swaziland, Pakamisa Game Reserve is far from hectic city life and development. This corner of northern Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is extremely scenic and unspoilt. The Indian Ocean is not too far away and the closest town is Pongola, just 15km (9 miles) away.

Pakamisa Private Game Reserve is situated in a scarcely populated area which is free of modern stresses. The owner of the reserve is multi-lingual and an acclaimed horsewoman. Exciting horse-back safaris are a special feature of this beautiful reserve about four hours from Durban in Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The Arabian horses at Pakamisa are of Spanish origin and now fully adapted to life in Africa.

Guests at Pakamisa Game Reserve in Zululand can enjoy game-viewing adventures and encounter a wide variety of resident plains game. Spot African wildlife like Red Hartebeest, Waterbuck, Common and Mountain Reedbuck, Grey and Red Duiker, Klipspringer, Nyala, Warthog, Baboon, Vervet Monkey and predators such as Caracal and Genet.

Directions to Pakamisa Private Game Reserve, Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

By Air

The easiest way to get to Pakamisa is via air-shuttle from Johannesburg directly to Pongola Airport in Zululand (flight time approx. one hour). On landing at Pongola, guests are transferred by car to the lodge from the airstrip. This is a 30 minute journey winding through the picturesque Pongola River valley and evergreen sugarcane plantations.

By Road

The alternative option is to travel by vehicle on the N2 highway:

  • Travelling from the north from Johannesburg via Witbank, Ermelo, Piet Retief (450km / 280 miles)
  • Travelling from the south from Durban (380km / 236 miles) or from Richards Bay (250km / 155

Once you reach Pongola you will take the R66 (towards Magudu, Ulundi). Travel on this tarred road for 7km / 4 miles (passing over Pongola River) until you see a brown Pakamisa sign on your left. Turn right onto the dirt road and drive for 7,5km / 5 miles. Thereafter, turn left toward the mountain driving for a further 600m to the entrance gate of Pakamisa Game Reserve. From the entrance you will drive for 3km / 1.8 miles up the very steep Pakamisa Mountain road to the lodge.

Booking Pakamisa Private Game Reserve

South Africa Nature Reserves : Game Reserves and National Parks