Crocodile River : As it passes Ngwenya, the Crocodile River is characterised by a vast open floodplain on the Kruger Park side and an extensive reed bed on the Ngwenya Lodge side. The reed bed serves to attract elephant, buffalo, hippo and waterbuck and it’s not uncommon to encounter these animals in close proximity to river front chalets and hides. The Crocodile River as a whole boasts the richest diversity of fish species of any river system in South Africa and the Lower Crocodile, which forms the southern border of the Kruger Park, is inhabited by more than 30 species including the mighty tiger fish.

Vegetation: Four Kruger Park ecozones converge on the area surrounding Ngwenya Lodge making it the ideal setting to wise up to the trees most likely to be encountered when travelling through the south eastern section of the Kruger Park. Dominant trees include the Leadwood, various Bushwillow spp, Knob-thorn, Buffalo thorn, Tamboti, Weeping Boer-bean, Marula, Apple-leaf, Jackal-berry, Fever tree and other Acacia species.

Wildlife: Places of water are places of life. For this reason a wide diversity of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians live in and around the riverine habitat at Ngwenya Lodge and this is what makes the setting so appealing. Mammals: The following species of large game have been recorded at Ngwenya: Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild dog, Hyena, Elephant, Rhino, Hippo, Buffalo, Giraffe, Wildebeest, Zebra, Kudu, Waterbuck, Impala, Bushbuck, Warthog, Baboon and Vervet Monkey. Each year a number of kills are seen from the Lodge. In addition to the large mammals, a wide diversity of small mammals have also been recorded. Birds: Birding is superb with over 300 species of birds having been recorded at Ngwenya. Reptiles: The most commonly seen reptiles include the Nile Crocodile, Nile Monitor, Giant Plated Lizard, Rainbow Skink, Bibron’s Gecko and the African Rock Python Frogs: Of the 34 species expected to occur at Ngwenya, 15 species have been recorded with the most commonly seen being the Foam Nest Frog, Painted Reed Frog, Guttural Toad and the Olive Toad.

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