Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game reserve General information
The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game reserve was established in 1895 and is the oldest park in Africa. It is set in very beautiful part of Zululand about 250 km up the coast from Durban. It was originally two separate parks but in 1989 they joined the park into one. The whole area is now 96 000 ha (237 000 acres). There is still a public road and a “corridor” that cuts straight through. As the home of "Operation Rhino" in the 1950s and 60s, the Park became world renowned for its White Rhino conservation.
Find it on the map
The north of the park, Hluhluwe, is hilly with stunning scenery and fantastic viewpoints that gives you a bird’s eye view. The south part, iMfolozi, is more bush and grassland. The two rivers flowing through the park, the Black and the White iMfolozi, give the visitor superb opportunities for both game and bird spotting. The word Hluhluwe is hard to pronounce but it sounds like “Shoushlooee”. The exceptional feature of this park is the lack of crowds. To be able to sit quietly in your vehicle watching the big cats relaxing after a kill , or wild dog starting out on a hunt, without the distractions of others nearby, make your experiences very special. I have been watching all the cats without having one single vehicle close by and that is both special and unusual.
Animals and birds
The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the best place in the world to see Rhino in the wild. There are about 290 black rhino and 1700 white rhino in the park that means that almost 20 % of the worlds remaining rhinos can be found here (December 2007). With this said you have fantastic rhino sightings in this park. Leopards, lions, cheetah and wild dogs are here. Lots of elephants are in the park and you should be wary of them. They have a bad reputation for being grumpy and over territorial so give them space. Antelopes, buffalo and giraffes are in abundance and you will see the less common Nyala here. There are also hippos, crocs and all the other water living animals in the rivers. Birdlife here is spectacular over 350 species have been noted. I love all the kingfishers at the river crossings and the impressive birds of prey. For those interested in birding check out this site about the area. Zululand birding route.
Roads and infrastructure
The roads are tar or gravel and fine to drive on with a normal sedan. There are only one 4x4 road open now and that is far in the south. You might consider going on a game drive if you are in a sedan to get the elevation from the higher vehicle. Grass and bushes makes it hard to spot things in low cars but if you want to go on your own I recommend the Hluhluwe part for better viewing. There are good signs on the roads and maps to be bought at the gate. There are quite a few picnic sites with braai facilities and toilets. Bring your lunch with you and enjoy the tranquillity. The park also have a couple of hides at waterholes were you can sit and watch the animals that are oblivious to your presence. Plenty of viewpoints along the road are also provided.
Accommodation
Within the park there are two public camp Mpila in iMfolozi and Hilltop in Hluhluwe. Mpila has not got any restaurant but you can either self cater or give your food to a chef who will prepare it for you. Just remember to bring food with you because you can’t buy it there. The camp has got a small shop and a petrol station. Hilltop has a good restaurant and bar and the accommodation is more luxurious. Bookings are essential as they are often fully booked in high season.
KwaZulu Natal Nature Conservation PO Box 13069, Cascades 3202, South Africa.
Tel (033) 845-1000, Fax: (033) 845-1001
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You can also choose to stay outside the park witch will give you better value for money in my opinion. We recommend Wendy’s Country Lodge in Mtubatuba as a good alternative you can check them out under our recommended accommodation. The can also provide excellent game drives to the park and give you good advice on what to do in the area.
Game drives and activities
Game drives can be provided either from the park or from tour operators in the area. Night drives can only be done if you stay in the park. Guided day walks and 24 day trails are arranged but they must bee booked well in advance. They are always sold out so book the 6 month in advance. They are not luxurious but inexpensive and an absolutely fantastic experience. Read about the walks in iMfolozi Wilderness area.
Seasons
Rainy season is September-March. It is hot and humid with 800-1200 mm of rain.
Dry season is April-August. Pleasant days but nights can be cold.
This is a low risk area for Malaria.
