Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
Set in the heart of Zululand, is the oldest game reserve in Africa where the Zulu kings Dingiswayo and the legendary Shaka hunted and set up the first conservation laws. The park is the birthplace of rhino conservation, breeding the species back from extinction (less than 20 white rhinos worldwide in 1900 to more than 10,000 today). It is also home to the four other species of the 'Big Five' - lion, leopard, African buffalo, and elephant. There are also cheetahs, giraffes, blue wildebeest, impalas, zebras, kudus, hippos, crocs, and the very rare (and difficult to spot) African wild dog, and over 300 bird species. Driving and walking safaris (of varying lengths) with armed rangers are possible, and experiencing the African bush on foot is truly extraordinary.
You can self-drive around the park during daylight, or go on guided game drives by day or by night in special game-viewing vehicles.
Inside the reserve there is one excellent lodge, Rhino Ridge, and a limited selection of accommodation for self-drivers run by Ezemvelo, the provincial wildlife management authority.
Outside the reserve the best option is the very good value Hluhluwe River Lodge, 30 minutes from the park gate in a pristine woodland environment. The best budget option is the Anew Hluhluwe Hotel. From both we arrange half-day and full-day game drives in open-sided game viewers int he reserve wih experienced guides.
The safaris here are every bit as good as around Kruger, yet at a much lower cost, and we can arrange road transfers from Durban airport or anywhere in KZN.
Some Hluhluwe-Imfolozi itineraries
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi walking trails
There are a range of different trails at different times of year.
Primitive Trails - 4 nights
Base Camp Trails - 3 nights
Short Wilderness Trails - 2 nights
Extended Short Wilderness Trails - 3 nights
The three latter are conducted from permanent tented camps and have good comfort levels with morning and afternoon day walks from the camps. For more information click here.
Primitive Trails - 3 or 4 nights
Truly get back to nature with these trails. You carry your own kit, sleep under the stars around a camp fire, in the wilderness areas of the park, living with the Big 5. A unique and amazing experience.
Explorer Trail
This is a combination of the shorter trails with two nights in the permanent tented camps and two nights sleeping out under the stars, as on the Primitive Trails.
You can self-drive around the park during daylight, or go on guided game drives by day or by night in special game-viewing vehicles.
Inside the reserve there is one excellent lodge, Rhino Ridge, and a limited selection of accommodation for self-drivers run by Ezemvelo, the provincial wildlife management authority.
Outside the reserve the best option is the very good value Hluhluwe River Lodge, 30 minutes from the park gate in a pristine woodland environment. The best budget option is the Anew Hluhluwe Hotel. From both we arrange half-day and full-day game drives in open-sided game viewers int he reserve wih experienced guides.
The safaris here are every bit as good as around Kruger, yet at a much lower cost, and we can arrange road transfers from Durban airport or anywhere in KZN.
Some Hluhluwe-Imfolozi itineraries
- 4-day Hluhluwe Safari with Rhino Ridge Safari lodge from 8705 ZAR per person fourth night free in May and June
- 6-day Kwazulu Natal Safari with Hluhluwe and Pongola from 15,550 ZAR per person
- 7-day Klaserie & Hluhluwe Safari with nThambo Tree Camp and Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge from 24,540 ZART per person
- 7-day Sabi Sand & Hluhluwe Safari with Elephant Plains and Rhino Ridge from 26,730 ZAR. In May and June get an extra free night at Rhino Ridge to make it 8 days.
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi walking trails
There are a range of different trails at different times of year.
Primitive Trails - 4 nights
Base Camp Trails - 3 nights
Short Wilderness Trails - 2 nights
Extended Short Wilderness Trails - 3 nights
The three latter are conducted from permanent tented camps and have good comfort levels with morning and afternoon day walks from the camps. For more information click here.
Primitive Trails - 3 or 4 nights
Truly get back to nature with these trails. You carry your own kit, sleep under the stars around a camp fire, in the wilderness areas of the park, living with the Big 5. A unique and amazing experience.
Explorer Trail
This is a combination of the shorter trails with two nights in the permanent tented camps and two nights sleeping out under the stars, as on the Primitive Trails.