Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

About Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

The Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park is the only park under formal conservation in KwaZulu Natal where the Big Five occur. 280 kilometres north of Durban and established in 1895, this is the oldest game park in South Africa along with nearby St Lucia Reserve.

Did you know? From having only 25 rhino at its inception, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve now has the highest population of both white and black rhino in South Africa. Due to increasing intensity of poaching in the Park, field rangers have been stepping up their monitoring and patrolling efforts in the area.

Set in the heart of Zululand this is the oldest game reserve in Africa, where Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws.

Today, Africa's 'Big Five' (lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhinoceros) stalk the flourishing savannah. Game viewing is the principal attraction in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Viewing hides overlook pans and waterholes enabling one to observe the wildlife at close range.

As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 60s, the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park became world renowned for its white rhino conservation. Other areas of focus for which Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is famous include wilderness trails which originated in Umfolozi in the 1950s and its renowned Game Capture unit upgraded into the Centenary Capture Centre, a bench mark for animal capture and sustainable utilisation throughout Africa.

The Park covers some 96 000 hectares and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora.

Hluhluwe Umfolozi Reserve is characterised by hilly topography and the northern section of the game reserve is noted for its wide variety of both birdlife and wildlife.

Apart from game viewing drives there are self guided auto trails which provide information on both the management and natural history of the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi game reserve. Guided walks can be especially rewarding in the early morning and late afternoon.

There is a 40 seater boat on Hluhluwe dam which takes visitors on guided trips twice a day. The trips are conducted by an experienced community guide and visitors can see an excellent range of birds and animals within the park while the Zulu culture is covered in the community areas outside.

Visit the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi reserve as a day visitor when staying in the area. SA-Venues.com proudly features a range of accommodation establishments that will gladly arrange visits to the reserve for you. Our Hluhluwe Accommodation search facility is easy to use and you make your accommodation bookings directly with the venues. Accommodation close to the reserve includes self-catering, B&B style and fully catered, luxury game lodges and reviews will help you make informed choices.

NOTE: According to SavetheRhino.org, field rangers have stepped up monitoring and patrolling efforts in the area due to the increasing intensity of poaching in the Park. This has included regular foot and vehicle patrols, as well as horse and aerial assisted surveillance. Tracking dogs also deter suspected poachers and it is clear that without the dedication of the staff in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the numbers of rhinos being poached would be higher.