Leopard Mountain Game Lodge

Categories: accommodation; trails;

Leopard Mountain Game Reserve, winner of the 'Game and Nature Reserves' category in the AA Accommodation Awards 2001, is a 3500 ha natural heritage site of pristine bushveld, centrally situated in Maputaland between the Hluhluwe and Mkhuze Game Reserves. Their position puts them in the middle of South Africa's birding hotspot and within one hour of all the major Maputaland attractions including Sodwana Bay, Lake Sibaya and Ndumo Game Reserve. Within this area over 472 bird species have been recorded which makes Leopard Mountain one of the top birding spots in the country. Leopard Mountain has a diverse variety of habitats including the following: riverine forest, montane, grassland, dense thickets, broadleaf woodland, acacia bushveld. Added to this 16km of the Umsunduze River runs through the center of the reserve.

Leopard Mountain has a number of habitats to attract a vast number of bird species. Start looking out for interesting species as you drive through Zululand on your way to the Lodge. Bateleurs are often spotted doing aerial displays in the skies above the grasslands on the left-hand side of the D464 (the road leading to the Lodge).

The telephone line to the Lodge is a favorite perching place for European and Lilac-breasted Rollers.Once through the gate, between the 'fieldstaff' sign and the Lodge there is a waterhole just off the road where in the morning and afternoon a number of Purple-Crested Turacos and Grey Go-away-birds congregate with Emerald-spotted Wood-Doves. Eastern Nicators, Green-winged Pytilla, Jameson's Firefinch and Yellow-throated Longclaws fly to and from this waterpoint all day long.

In the lawn around the parking lot at the Lodge you will see Striped Pipits mingling with Bronze Mannikins and Yellow-fronted Canaries. Each chalet has its own birdbath, and bird feeders are dotted around the garden attracting Natal Francolin, Crested Francolin, Blackheaded Orioles, White-crested Helmet-Shrikes and a variety of other bushveld birds right to your private verandah.

The Lodge is situated on a clifftop overlooking the Umsunduze River and vast bushveld plains. The thermals from the rockface in front of the Lodge are ideal for viewing Wahlberg's, Crowned and Martial Eagles, Black Stork and various vultures and goshawks, herons, Striped Kingfishers and a number of Cuckoos

Directions

From the N2 north bound, approximately 34 km after Hluhluwe, take the road D464 - sign posted "Leopard Mountain Game Lodge". Follow the sign posts for 13 kms of dirt road - suitable for sedan type cars. Leopard Mountain is approximately 3 hours drive from Durban international airport, 1 hour from Richards Bay, and approximately 6 hours from Johannesburg.

Additional Information

Being an award winning lodge in the AA Accommodation Awards 2001, Leopard Mountain truly lives up to luxurious living in the wild with seven stone and thatch chalets nestled on the cliff top.