Tala Game Reserve
Tala Private Game Reserve is situated in Camperdown in KwaZulu Natal. It is approximately 45 minutes away from Durban. Tala Collection Game Reserve can be found in the tala valley. Here is a complete guide on how to get there, how much it costs and what to expect on your trip to Tala.
About
Tala Game Reserve is approximately 3000 hectares in area and offers an array of wildlife. The reserve features one of the big five, the rhino, big game including giraffe, hippo, over 380 different bird species as well as over 20 different species of antelope. Tala Private Reserve is a malaria-free area and has no large predators.
How to Get There
Driving to Tala Collections Game Reserve is straightforward and involves travelling on the N3 highway towards Pietermaritzburg for approximately 39 kilometres (depending on the departure point). Thereafter taking the Camperdown off-ramp (Exit 57) and turn left onto Umbumbulu Road. Continue on that road for 13 kilometres. Turn left into Tala Collection Game Reserve.
This route has one toll which is the Marianhill Toll Plaza which cost R10.00* one way.
There is only one entry gate to enter the reserve.
Here is a map of the route from Durban, to Tala Game Reserve.

Tip: Please note that no cash is accepted at the gate. Payment is via card or zapper.
Tala Game Reserve Prices
Entrance fees to Tala Game Reserve are priced as follows:
Tariffs:
- R70.00 per adult
- R50.00 per child (under 12 years old)
- There is also a vehicle entrance fee of R80.00 per vehicle.
Therefore the entrance fees at Tala Collection Game Reserve for five adults in a vehicle will cost approximately R480.00
Activities at Tala Game Reserve
Since the Tala game reserve is about an hour away from Durban, it is an easy day trip for the family. And there are numerous activities available at the reserve.
Tala Game Reserve only has one of the big five, the rhino as well as a wide variety of bird species and other game. Some of the activities available at the reserve include self-guided game drives, guided game drives and mountain biking.
Are you enjoying this, check out the previous post on the Dinokeng Game Reserve Guide which gives you all the information you need to know before you visit.
Game Drives
There are kilometres of road to use to explore the reserve. In the reserve, there is the option of both a self-drive or a guided game drive.
For the self-drive, simply pay the entrance fees for the vehicle and number of persons and you will be granted access. There is a main road which is suitable for most 2WD vehicles. However, there are various routes that are specifically tailored for 4×4 vehicles and these routes are extremely difficult terrain routes.
Please only use these tracks if you are in a 4×4 vehicle as no other vehicle will be able to drive on them. The reserve also offers a towing service at R500.00 per vehicle if your vehicle is stuck on any of the tracks. A map of the reserve will also be provided to assist you in determining your best route around the reserve. This is an example of the Tala Game Reserve map.
In addition to self-guided drives, the reserve offers guided game drives. The cost for these drives are as follows:
- 2- 9 guests – R310 per person
- 10 plus guests – R295 per person
If you pre-book a game drive, you save the R80 per person gate charge. Please note however that no children under the age of 5 years are allowed on these game drives.
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Picnic Spots and Hides
There is a picnic site and rock pools located in the reserve. So pack a picnic basket and enjoy a lovely lunch at the area. There are benches available. In addition, there is a pool where the kids can play around.
At the reserve, there is also a hippo and bird hide which is located next to the dam. This hide provides a great viewing deck to watch the ducks on the water and lookout for the hippos.
Mountain Bike Trails
Bikes can be rented for R300 per bike, this excludes a deposit of R100. In this instance, adults pay R70 and children under 12 years pay R50 as a gate entry fee.
There are different trails avail ranging from an easy 5km loop to an advanced 27 km loop which involves climbing and bridges.
If you choose the mountain bike option, ensure that you wear a helmet at all times and that you are in a group of at least three people.
Other activities
Some of the other activities on offer at the Tala reserve include fresh water fishing, paintball and target shooting, archery and segway safaris.
- Paintball and target shooting cost R120 per person for 100 balls and R100 for an extra 100 balls.
- Archery costs R75 per person for 30 minutes.
- Segway Safaris are a new addition to their offerings and involves a guided safari tour on a segway. It costs R350 for one hour which includes a 15-minute introductory lesson. There is a maximum of four people allowed per session.
Where to eat
At the game reserve, you will find the La Tala Restaurant. The restaurant offers views from their veranda seating areas of the game resident at the reserve. There is an a la carte menu, a Sunday buffet lunch and picnic basket options available at the restaurant. Make a booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Tala Game Reserve Accommodation
Guest accommodation is offered at Tala Game Reserve. These range from lodges to houses near the dam. There is also the option of self-catering accommodation. Tala hosts five uniquely diverse holiday options. As there is a variety of options, there will be something to suit all travellers needs.
Facilities
There are other facilities available at the Tala Collection Game Reserve, these include:
- Conference facilities at the Fig Auditorium, which offer conference rooms for sixty people;
- Wedding venues which offer packages for wedding between forty to two hundred and fifty guests or more intimate gatherings if you choose.
Gate Opening Times:
Entrance gates open daily at these times:
- Summer season (1 October till 31 March) 06.00 am – 18.00 pm
- Winter season (1 April till 31 September) 06.00 am till 17.00 pm
Tala Private Game Reserve Contact Details:
Where: R603 Umbumbulu RoadCamperdown,PietermaritzburgSouth Africa
Contact Number: 031 781 8000
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.tala.co.za/
What did you think of the guide to Tala Private Game Reserve? So do you have more to add on? Let me know in the comments below.
So if you enjoyed this post, check out my previous post on the Cradle Moon Lakeside Game Lodge which gives you a guide on all that is on offer at this venue.
Looking for more inspiration, check out the South Africa page which has other posts on things that you can do in this extraordinary country.
* Please note that all prices and contact information are correct at time of publication. Please check the venues websites as prices may change without notice. *
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Wonderful game drive.
Wow sounds great! Lots of detailed unbiased info. Thank you Roaming Taster for another great post. Hope to visit Tala GR in the near future
Thanks, it certainly is 🙂
Thank you for the comment, it is a lovely place and you will definitely enjoy it 🙂
We love Tala… We’re there almost every month on a self-drive… It’s a our peaceful space, away from the crazy rush of life… Gets us relaxed, grounded and rejuvenated! ❤️
Hello we heard abour this place today from The Francis Family, they visited this place yesterday, its a great place to visit with lots of Nature and we love outdoor life.