Read some interesting fun facts about Ezulwini Game Lodges and the place it calls home.

Owned by the Saad family, Ezulwini Game Lodges are situated in the private Olifants West Game Reserve within the Balule Nature Reserve (approximately 50,000 hectares). This reserve forms part of the unfenced Greater Kruger National Park system with an open conserved area covering some 3,000,000 hectares ( larger than Switzerland, Israel or Wales). Ezulwini traverses approximately 7,500 hectares (20,000 acres) of this western central region.

Did You Know That…..

• Ezulwini is home to the Big 7, (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, hippo & crocodile), plus another 150 mammal and 460 other bird species. This makes this area one of the best spots in South Africa for bird watching!!!

• Ezulwini is located in a mixed woodland eco-zone which houses a staggering variety of fauna and flora.  This land is home to exquisite (and often ancient) trees, grasses and bush savannah.

• The biodiversity of the region is extensive, hosting more than 2,000 plant species including over 380 recognized tree species. This represents 50% of all trees found in Southern Africa! There are more than 235 different species of grass that make-up our sweet-veld region. In turn, the abundance of nutritious grasses supports a high diversity of fauna.

• There are also 33 species of amphibians, 49 species of fish, and 114 species of reptiles occurring in the area.

• The topography is undulating, with seasonal rivers draining the area.  This region is of granitic origin, with quartz and dolerite intrusions and outcrops.

• Riverine Forest cuts across all the other eco-zones. Moreover, there is a narrow band of evergreen vegetation, which needs a continuous water supply, i.e. reeds, sedge, water lilies, phreatophyte trees.  This eco-zone harbors many perching & water birds. Plus, the various pans, dams & waterways also support hippo, crocodile, fish, terrapins, and other amphibious & aquatic animals.  Furthermore, the famous Olifants River also flows through the Olifants West Nature Reserve.

• Billy’s Lodge is situated 400m above sea level and River Lodge 350m above sea level.

• Rainfall occurs in the summer months (December to April). The days are hot and the nights humid, with average daily maximum temperatures of 30C/86F (can be as high as 45C/113F) in the shade.  Winters (June to September) are dry. The days are pleasant and the nights cool, with average daily minimum temperatures of 8C/47F (note that they can be as low as 0C/32F.)  In the winter, the average daily maximum temperature is 23C/73F.