NDUMU camp, Ezemvelo, Our Thoughts

[philr]

Feedback Ndumo Game Reserve –April 2025

After some years, Ian, Cheryl and Phil revisited Ndumo for four nights over the Easter weekend and herewith some feedback.


The camp was occupied by our party of three, another of three (only for two nights) and a couple for one night in the available seven chalets and there was only one campsite occupied for three nights.

Booking was very hard because the website information and booking is not clear and/or very difficult. i decided to call the PMB number (033) but had to try 4 or 5 times as it would not be answered or go to a full voice mail machine. persevere its really worthwhile.


The two bed chalets have been upgraded since our last visit and are no longer just the basic square-davel – they now have a lovely thatched verandah, an en-suite bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, airconditioning, mozzie nets and wifi. A huge improvement – not just communal ablutions and kitchen as before, and yet nowhere on the website is this evident. The campsite looked great and we checked that the ablutions appeared very good – the last time we were there (2022 and 2014) the campsite was full but, on this occasion there was just the one tent.
Remember this was Easter - the accommodation should have been full.


We were there for the birdlife and that didn’t disappoint – we hired local Ezimvelo bird guide Bongani Mkhize (who works for Ezemvelo, ask for him at reception when you arrive)
who was fantastic and we even flushed a pels fishing owl along the Pongola River. Bongani gave freely of his ) and on both occasions took us out in the landcruiser game vehicle. We drove for about 90mins each way, observing birds on the way, then we walked for four hours, say five kms, in a total of six and a half hours each time. All this R200 per person. In addition the birding in the camp was wonderful and we were able to get close to a number of specials.


The game however was in short supply and that we saw was very timid – clearly there must be a huge poaching problem. We saw half a dozen nyala, a common duiker, four or five giraffe, samango monkey and, of course, the ubiquitous problem vervets. In contrast Thembe elephant park was awash with Nyala, Duiker, Elephants, even some lions. Poaching has killed most everything in Ndumu.


In all we were very pleasantly surprised that the accommodation we had was so comfortable and we were more than happy with our birding and bush experience.


Now I need to mention the low occupations that were very saddening.


In 2018, when the two bed chalets were upgraded, five new chalets were constructed – two with two bedrooms and three with one. All five have an upstairs deck where one can look out over the bush and see the birds up close. Unfortunately they were positioned abominably – right in front of the existing chalets and this cuts off their view of the trees etc. They are not very close but still are in the way.
The big problem however is that, when they were completed, bats moved in and currently hundreds of thousands of bats exit the ceilings and roofs each evening and return each morning. As a result these have never been occupied and it will be very difficult to get rid of the smell of bat guano – even when the bats are gone. The first two chalets have been sealed and the ceilings taken down but there is a great deal of work that need to be done to make them habitable and then there are still three that need to be made bat proof.
A few bats also inhabit the verandahs of the older chalets which is quite messy.


The camp has a lovely pool but the motor has packed up and we understand that a new motor has been obtained but they still require fittings to complete the job – the pool is green.
There is a fair size meeting facility (previously the communal kitchen) and a braai boma – presumably for conferences or large gatherings – nowhere on the website could we find this.


The wifi worked the first day but then was on the blink and we were told that technicians could only be called in after Easter.


There were four guides in the past and now only two and there is no manager on site as it is managed from Kosi Bay


In conclusion there is much that needs to be done at Ndumo – Ezimvelo really needs to focus on marketing this wonderful park. In addition there is very scant information on the website and nothing to make it attractive to potential visitors and birders. I wonder how long the staff will have jobs there and how long it will be that we can experience this fantastic birdlife. It is important that we get the message out so that more are encouraged to make use of the facilities offered here.


I also need to mention that we also spent three nights in Tembe Elephant Park which was absolutely outstanding – great accommodation, wonderful meals and lovely game drives. A Private Lodge experience where you are really looked after at a very affordable price

i, Phil, preferred Ndumu because i am a bush walking enthusiast, which was fantastic. I am not a game drive fan, but Thembe has all the big animals and many birds. There is no walking in Thembe because of the Big 5, choose your options. i also suspect that Thembe guides are asked to find mammals and the foreigners tips are probably better.

we are posting this here because the 4x4 Community forum is the best place to promote Ndumu (and Thembe) and you will get a great experience and at a bargain price.

regards
Phil, Ian

[Reauliza]

Feedback Ndumo Game Reserve –April 2025

After some years, Ian, Cheryl and Phil revisited Ndumo for four nights over the Easter weekend and herewith some feedback.


The camp was occupied by our party of three, another of three (only for two nights) and a couple for one night in the available seven chalets and there was only one campsite occupied for three nights.

Booking was very hard because the website information and booking is not clear and/or very difficult. i decided to call the PMB number (033) but had to try 4 or 5 times as it would not be answered or go to a full voice mail machine. persevere its really worthwhile.


The two bed chalets have been upgraded since our last visit and are no longer just the basic square-davel – they now have a lovely thatched verandah, an en-suite bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, airconditioning, mozzie nets and wifi. A huge improvement – not just communal ablutions and kitchen as before, and yet nowhere on the website is this evident. The campsite looked great and we checked that the ablutions appeared very good – the last time we were there (2022 and 2014) the campsite was full but, on this occasion there was just the one tent.
Remember this was Easter - the accommodation should have been full.


We were there for the birdlife and that didn’t disappoint – we hired local Ezimvelo bird guide Bongani Mkhize (who works for Ezemvelo, ask for him at reception when you arrive)
who was fantastic and we even flushed a pels fishing owl along the Pongola River. Bongani gave freely of his ) and on both occasions took us out in the landcruiser game vehicle. We drove for about 90mins each way, observing birds on the way, then we walked for four hours, say five kms, in a total of six and a half hours each time. All this R200 per person. In addition the birding in the camp was wonderful and we were able to get close to a number of specials.


The game however was in short supply and that we saw was very timid – clearly there must be a huge poaching problem. We saw half a dozen nyala, a common duiker, four or five giraffe, samango monkey and, of course, the ubiquitous problem vervets. In contrast Thembe elephant park was awash with Nyala, Duiker, Elephants, even some lions. Poaching has killed most everything in Ndumu.


In all we were very pleasantly surprised that the accommodation we had was so comfortable and we were more than happy with our birding and bush experience.


Now I need to mention the low occupations that were very saddening.


In 2018, when the two bed chalets were upgraded, five new chalets were constructed – two with two bedrooms and three with one. All five have an upstairs deck where one can look out over the bush and see the birds up close. Unfortunately they were positioned abominably – right in front of the existing chalets and this cuts off their view of the trees etc. They are not very close but still are in the way.
The big problem however is that, when they were completed, bats moved in and currently hundreds of thousands of bats exit the ceilings and roofs each evening and return each morning. As a result these have never been occupied and it will be very difficult to get rid of the smell of bat guano – even when the bats are gone. The first two chalets have been sealed and the ceilings taken down but there is a great deal of work that need to be done to make them habitable and then there are still three that need to be made bat proof.
A few bats also inhabit the verandahs of the older chalets which is quite messy.


The camp has a lovely pool but the motor has packed up and we understand that a new motor has been obtained but they still require fittings to complete the job – the pool is green.
There is a fair size meeting facility (previously the communal kitchen) and a braai boma – presumably for conferences or large gatherings – nowhere on the website could we find this.


The wifi worked the first day but then was on the blink and we were told that technicians could only be called in after Easter.


There were four guides in the past and now only two and there is no manager on site as it is managed from Kosi Bay


In conclusion there is much that needs to be done at Ndumo – Ezimvelo really needs to focus on marketing this wonderful park. In addition there is very scant information on the website and nothing to make it attractive to potential visitors and birders. I wonder how long the staff will have jobs there and how long it will be that we can experience this fantastic birdlife. It is important that we get the message out so that more are encouraged to make use of the facilities offered here.


I also need to mention that we also spent three nights in Tembe Elephant Park which was absolutely outstanding – great accommodation, wonderful meals and lovely game drives. A Private Lodge experience where you are really looked after at a very affordable price

i, Phil, preferred Ndumu because i am a bush walking enthusiast, which was fantastic. I am not a game drive fan, but Thembe has all the big animals and many birds. There is no walking in Thembe because of the Big 5, choose your options. i also suspect that Thembe guides are asked to find mammals and the foreigners tips are probably better.

we are posting this here because the 4x4 Community forum is the best place to promote Ndumu (and Thembe) and you will get a great experience and at a bargain price.

regards
Phil, Ian

Hi Phil.
Do you think we can just go to Ndumo and make reservations when we get there.
Will be doing the coast from Kirsten Bosch botanical garden right up to Kosi bay. Birding especially.

Thanks for Bongani's name.
Any suggestion for birding sites and contact names and numbers will be appreciated.
My contact no.0 eight 2 3 one 2 5 nine 5 1
Thanks.
Andre

[Suzukitrucker]

Feedback Ndumo Game Reserve –April 2025

After some years, Ian, Cheryl and Phil revisited Ndumo for four nights over the Easter weekend and herewith some feedback.


The camp was occupied by our party of three, another of three (only for two nights) and a couple for one night in the available seven chalets and there was only one campsite occupied for three nights.

Booking was very hard because the website information and booking is not clear and/or very difficult. i decided to call the PMB number (033) but had to try 4 or 5 times as it would not be answered or go to a full voice mail machine. persevere its really worthwhile.


The two bed chalets have been upgraded since our last visit and are no longer just the basic square-davel – they now have a lovely thatched verandah, an en-suite bathroom, a fully equipped kitchen, airconditioning, mozzie nets and wifi. A huge improvement – not just communal ablutions and kitchen as before, and yet nowhere on the website is this evident. The campsite looked great and we checked that the ablutions appeared very good – the last time we were there (2022 and 2014) the campsite was full but, on this occasion there was just the one tent.
Remember this was Easter - the accommodation should have been full.


We were there for the birdlife and that didn’t disappoint – we hired local Ezimvelo bird guide Bongani Mkhize (who works for Ezemvelo, ask for him at reception when you arrive)
who was fantastic and we even flushed a pels fishing owl along the Pongola River. Bongani gave freely of his ) and on both occasions took us out in the landcruiser game vehicle. We drove for about 90mins each way, observing birds on the way, then we walked for four hours, say five kms, in a total of six and a half hours each time. All this R200 per person. In addition the birding in the camp was wonderful and we were able to get close to a number of specials.


The game however was in short supply and that we saw was very timid – clearly there must be a huge poaching problem. We saw half a dozen nyala, a common duiker, four or five giraffe, samango monkey and, of course, the ubiquitous problem vervets. In contrast Thembe elephant park was awash with Nyala, Duiker, Elephants, even some lions. Poaching has killed most everything in Ndumu.


In all we were very pleasantly surprised that the accommodation we had was so comfortable and we were more than happy with our birding and bush experience.


Now I need to mention the low occupations that were very saddening.


In 2018, when the two bed chalets were upgraded, five new chalets were constructed – two with two bedrooms and three with one. All five have an upstairs deck where one can look out over the bush and see the birds up close. Unfortunately they were positioned abominably – right in front of the existing chalets and this cuts off their view of the trees etc. They are not very close but still are in the way.
The big problem however is that, when they were completed, bats moved in and currently hundreds of thousands of bats exit the ceilings and roofs each evening and return each morning. As a result these have never been occupied and it will be very difficult to get rid of the smell of bat guano – even when the bats are gone. The first two chalets have been sealed and the ceilings taken down but there is a great deal of work that need to be done to make them habitable and then there are still three that need to be made bat proof.
A few bats also inhabit the verandahs of the older chalets which is quite messy.


The camp has a lovely pool but the motor has packed up and we understand that a new motor has been obtained but they still require fittings to complete the job – the pool is green.
There is a fair size meeting facility (previously the communal kitchen) and a braai boma – presumably for conferences or large gatherings – nowhere on the website could we find this.


The wifi worked the first day but then was on the blink and we were told that technicians could only be called in after Easter.


There were four guides in the past and now only two and there is no manager on site as it is managed from Kosi Bay


In conclusion there is much that needs to be done at Ndumo – Ezimvelo really needs to focus on marketing this wonderful park. In addition there is very scant information on the website and nothing to make it attractive to potential visitors and birders. I wonder how long the staff will have jobs there and how long it will be that we can experience this fantastic birdlife. It is important that we get the message out so that more are encouraged to make use of the facilities offered here.


I also need to mention that we also spent three nights in Tembe Elephant Park which was absolutely outstanding – great accommodation, wonderful meals and lovely game drives. A Private Lodge experience where you are really looked after at a very affordable price

i, Phil, preferred Ndumu because i am a bush walking enthusiast, which was fantastic. I am not a game drive fan, but Thembe has all the big animals and many birds. There is no walking in Thembe because of the Big 5, choose your options. i also suspect that Thembe guides are asked to find mammals and the foreigners tips are probably better.

we are posting this here because the 4x4 Community forum is the best place to promote Ndumu (and Thembe) and you will get a great experience and at a bargain price.

regards
Phil, Ian

Thanks for your valued feedback as it greatly helps us. We are also leading a Isimangaliso tour into Northen kzn and Ndumo is on our list for the first 2 nights (2of 11), sad about the animals, but at least still a birdwatchers haven. Last time we went past was in 2016 and loved the park.

[hbannink]

I have always had a soft spot for Ndumo, it is /was a 1st class birding hotspot. It was always one of the 1st stop overs for migrants arriving and last for returning. As long as the Jozini sluices aren't open the pan is a haven for waterbirds and the hide creates some fantastic opportunities for photography.
Believe it or not they had a vulture restaurant there and that was the first place tat I spotted palm nut vulture .. on carrion

The reserve was never known for abundant wildlife so I am not surprised by the lack of it

[Reece]

For those interested we recently published this piece in Daily Maverick....

Ndumo Game Reserve facing mounting pressure amid fight for sustainable conservation


https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/arti...-conservation/

Also a link to the recently published special issue on Ndumo in the African journal of Wildlife Research in celebration of 100 years

https://bioone.org/journals/african-...e-55/issue-sp1

[AlexP]

Feedback Ndumo Game Reserve –April 2025
In conclusion there is much that needs to be done at Ndumo – Ezimvelo really needs to focus on marketing this wonderful park. In addition there is very scant information on the website and nothing to make it attractive to potential visitors and birders. I wonder how long the staff will have jobs there and how long it will be that we can experience this fantastic birdlife. It is important that we get the message out so that more are encouraged to make use of the facilities offered here.
Phil, Ian

Unfortunately I have given up complaining to Ezemvelo about their atrocious website.
It falls on deaf ears, and no one is interested in fixing the problem.

A week ago travelling back down to Durban, I stopped in at Hilltop - Hluhluwe for breakfast.
The breakfast was excellent, and the staff great.
I had a chat with the chef, and he himself was telling me about the declining standards, the empty accommodation, the poor marketing, and the lack of management and direction of the Parks board, right up at the highest levels of Ezemvelo.

This affects every Ezemvelo (Parks Board) facility across the province.