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Wildlife


The lodge is in a mountainous setting surrounded by impressive outcrops of granite boulders. Huge boulder outcrops rising to just over 1000m dominate the landscape. The valleys dip to as low as 488m. 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.

Characteristic species are the "big five", spotted hyena, impala, nyala, majestically horned kudu, white bushbuck, sable antelope, zebra, giraffe and wildebeest. Rhino, elephant and buffalo are frequently sighted. Sightings of civet and genet cats, porcupine and honey badger have also been noted.

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.

In the region of 320 species of birds inhabit the reserve. One of the most conspicuous birds to be seen on the rocks around Bongani Lodge is the lively Mocking Chat. Of the many species of birds of prey, none is more frequently seen than the loudly wailing Jackal Buzzard.

Typical birds include Red-winged Starling, Familiar Chat, Rock Bunting, Black Sunbird, Purple-crested Lourie, Golden-breasted Bunting, Black-eyed Bulbul and Freckled Nightjar. There are also Crowned Eagles, Bateleur and several species of vulture.



The craggy rocks of the area provide an ideal environment for numerous species of lizards, including the Common Flat Lizard, Giant Plated Lizard, Rainbow Skink, Striped Skink and Common Dwarf Gecko on rocks near the lodge. Crocodile are common in the adjoining Kruger National Park.




Hardy plants of rocky habitats include Kudu Lily, Baboon's Tail/Fire Sticks, Barberton Daisy, Rock Aloe and Lebombo Aloe. The most unusual tree growing among the rocks at Bongani is the scarlet-blooming Broadleaved Coral Tree, whose three leaflets are each about the size of an outstretched human hand. Other exquisite trees around Bongani include Lowveld Chestnut, rock-breaking Mountain Fig, Mountain Syringa, Mountain Karee, Common Cabbage Tree, Jacketplum and Wild Pear.




Bongani is in the Savannah biome of Southern Africa. The principal habitats of the reserve are exposed granite outcrops, wooded hill-slopes and valley bottoms. The way these rocks have weathered over the ages has led to some curious shapes, with impossibly balanced boulders and onion-like exfoliation characteristics.

Bongani Mountain Lodge is a pioneering project where traditional land-owning communities have affiliated with conservation bodies for their common good. CCAfrica took over the management of Bongani in 1996. 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.

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