Kwazulu Natal · Safari destination
Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Imfolozi Park
Africa's oldest reserve, the rhino's salvation.
Africa's oldest proclaimed game reserve and the birthplace of rhino conservation, home to the Big Five in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal.
Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Imfolozi Park
Africa's oldest game reserve
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park holds a place in conservation history that no other African reserve can claim. Proclaimed in 1895, it is the continent's oldest formally protected game reserve and the birthplace of Operation Rhino, the programme that brought the southern white rhinoceros back from fewer than 200 animals to a viable population of thousands. Today the park protects the densest concentration of white rhino on earth alongside the full complement of Big Five species across 96,000 hectares (237,000 acres) of rolling KwaZulu-Natal bushveld.
The park divides into two distinct sections connected by a wilderness corridor. The northern Hluhluwe section is hillier, greener and better known for its rhino, elephant and leopard sightings. The southern iMfolozi section is drier, more open and home to the famous multi-day wilderness walking trails that follow the Black and White iMfolozi rivers. Few experiences in southern Africa rival spending three nights on foot in iMfolozi's roadless interior, sleeping under the stars at simple trail camps, guided by armed rangers.
Common questions
Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Imfolozi Park, answered.
Read more about Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Imfolozi Park- Is Hluhluwe-iMfolozi in a malaria area?
- The park sits within a seasonal malaria zone, with risk highest from October to May. During the dry winter months (June to September) the risk is very low. Our safari specialists recommend consulting a travel health professional before departure.
- How do I get to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi from Durban?
- Drive north on the N2 for approximately three hours to reach the Nyalazi Gate. Alternatively, charter a flight to Richards Bay and transfer by road in about an hour. Our safari specialists will arrange transfers when building your itinerary.
- What is the difference between the Hluhluwe and iMfolozi sections?
- The northern Hluhluwe section is hillier, wetter and particularly strong for rhino, elephant and leopard. The southern iMfolozi section is drier, more open and famous for its multi-day wilderness walking trails. Most guests stay on the Hluhluwe side for lodge-based game drives and visit iMfolozi for the walking experience.
- How does Hluhluwe-iMfolozi compare with the Kruger?
- Kruger is vastly larger with more lodges and a wider choice of luxury accommodation. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is far more compact, less crowded and offers the best white rhino sighting probability in Africa. It is also significantly closer to Durban and pairs naturally with the KwaZulu-Natal coast. For travellers who want Big Five without the long drive to the Kruger lowveld, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the obvious alternative.
- When is the best time to see rhino at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi?
- Rhino are resident year-round, but sightings peak during the dry winter months (June to September) when the bush is thinnest and animals congregate at water points. Early-morning drives in the Hluhluwe section offer the highest probability.
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Brochure
Southern Africa Guide
Southern Africa's icons, shaped into one itinerary: Greater Kruger, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and Cape Town.
Where to stay
Lodges in Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Imfolozi Park.
3 lodges
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LuxBiyela Lodge
Biyela Lodge nestles on a spectacular bend of the white Imfolozi River in the Imfolozi Game Park. The northern region of KwaZulu Natal is known its pristine game reserves and gorgeous coastline, making it the perfect location for a bush and beach getaway. Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa, spanning over 96 000 hectares of pristine wilderness.
From R 7 060 per person · night · normally R 10 600
Special offer available
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Premium Live availabilityRhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Hluhluwe - iMfolozi National Park is Africa's oldest game reserve and is home to the beautiful Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge. Set in a 96 000 hectare park, Rhino Ridge is a luxury lodge that offers spectacular scenery and excellent Big Five safari opportunities.
From R 5 630 per person · night
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AffordableBayala Private Safari Lodges
Bayala Private Safari Lodges is a three-star property in KwaZulu-Natal made up of two thatched camps, Founders Lodge and the newly renovated Safari Lodge, set five minutes apart. Located in a malaria-free zone bordering the Munyawana Conservancy, it offers Big Five game viewing, family-friendly Eco Kids programmes and easy access to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Lake St Lucia and Sodwana Bay.
From R 5 360 per person · night
Rates per person sharing, per night.
January
Hot, green, rhino in tall grass
Best time to visit
The rhino year.
Zululand's oldest reserve runs milder and greener than the lowveld, with rhino on the menu all twelve months.
Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Imfolozi Park
Your guide to Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Imfolozi Park.
When to go
May to September (dry winter) is the prime game-viewing window. Vegetation thins, animals cluster around remaining water sources, and clear skies make for comfortable days on the road. October and November bring dramatic thunderstorms and the first green flush, along with newborn impala and wildebeest calves. December to March is birding season, with migrants arriving in force, though afternoon showers can make secondary roads challenging. Lodges near the park start from R5,360 per person sharing per night.
Getting there
The park lies roughly 280 kilometres (175 miles) north of Durban, a straightforward three-hour drive on the N2. The nearest town with fuel and supplies is Hluhluwe village at the park's Nyalazi Gate. There is no commercial airstrip within the park, though charter flights can land at Richards Bay, an hour's drive south. The location makes Hluhluwe-iMfolozi a natural pairing with iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia and the Elephant Coast, or a first stop before continuing north to the Mozambican beaches.
Imagery
Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Imfolozi Park, in pictures.
Recent travellers
Word from people who have just been to Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Imfolozi Park.
Quotes pulled directly from Trustpilot. Where we have specific reviews mentioning Hluhluwe Game Reserve - Imfolozi Park, those come up first. Otherwise these are recent five-star notes from across the trips we have planned.
"Very helpful with itinerary and excellent arrangements of transport from and to Cape Town, and Idubi in Sabi Sands and Lukimbi in Kruger. Although a rep for Safari.com said a letter from a doctor was not required, such a letter IS REQUIRED to go on bush walks if older than 65. Fortunately, we checked the reserve web site and had a doctor's letter."
"The professional, polite and efficient attitude towards us,was paramount. Qualities rarely used and found these days . Thankyou. Mrs Ina Climas."
"Monica was an amazing advisor. Patient, highly responsive and she tailored an imaginative and original itinerary for us. It is clear she knew much about the various options and listened to what we needed to come up with a great solution. Extremely proactive and responsive, making the booking a pleasure"
"I got the package I wanted! No hard sells or upsells. The price matched booking directly, but with safari.com I also got free travel insurance and an eSIM card for my trip. Communication was fast and efficient. I can’t wait until my trip."
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