Overview

Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park

Hluhluwe Umfolozi National Park is the oldest game reserve in South Africa and is one of the most popular big 5 wildlife safari and tour destinations in Africa. Hluhluwe Umfolozi is situated in the heart of Zululand, KwaZulu Natal and was established by the former Natal Parks Board.

The wide range of plant life in the park gives rise to a diversity of mammals, birdlife, reptiles and amphibians, and Hluhluwe -Umfolozi Park is renowned for its wide variety of bird and animal life. Besides the big five – elephant, lion, leopard. buffalo and rhino, there are the elusive cheetah, wild dog, and nyala along with many other well-known bushveld species, inhabit the park, offering visitors an excellent game viewing experience.

When uncontrolled hunting brought many big game species to the brink of local extinction, Operation Rhino increased the white rhino population in Umfolozi through anti-poaching control, and today the Zululand reserves contain some of the largest concentrations of black and white rhino in the world. It is also almost entirely responsible for re-populating the depleted rhino stock in many of the reserves in South Africa, and southern Africa.

The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi park boasts one of the best conservation teams in the world and has gained worldwide acclaim for its conservation efforts. Many species of animals which were eradicated from the park through the nagana campaign have been successfully reintroduced, including the lion in the early sixties, and the elephant in the eighties. Giraffe has been extremely successful in inhibiting the park, although there is no fossil record of them ever existing in the area before. Hippo was eradicated, but a small group found their way into the park, possibly from St Lucia, and the population is slowly rising. The Wild dog is one of the park’s major conservation priorities, as they are Africa’s most endangered carnivore.

The park covers 96 000 hectares, and comprises three reserves: Hluhluwe, Umfolozi – two of Africa’s oldest game reserves, both founded in 1895 – and the linking Corridor Reserve, proclaimed in 1989.

To aid in the valuable work done by the heroes of conservation, you can visit the Centenary center, which offers tours and sightings of rhino and other game which have been captured or scheduled for release.

There is a wide variety of accommodation on offer, both in Hluhluwe and in Umfolozi, from bush camps to luxury lodges, and the three-star chalets to be found at Hilltop Camp which has its own restaurant.

Hilltop Camp – Hluhluwe Game Reserve
Hilltop Camp is the main camp in the reserve and caters for both budget travelers and those looking for more comfort. All units are serviced daily. The Mpunyane Restaurant and the Uzavolo Bar provide for those who do not wish to self-cater.

The camp has a rustic thatch design which tastefully complements the natural surroundings, and being at a high altitude, it is cooler than most other areas of the reserve. The main building includes the restaurant, an attractive pub and lounge decorated with photos and memorabilia of the park, as well as a gift shop and convenience store. The main building also offers a fantastic panoramic view of the surrounding areas and is a wonderful place to spot the eagles and vultures of the reserve in flight.

Mtwazi Lodge
Mtwazi Lodge is close to the renowned Hilltop Camp and offers total privacy for up to 8 guests. It has three double en-suite bedrooms and provides the services of a cook. Guests may arrange open-vehicle game drives at Hilltop Camp reception or opt for a private drive. Mtwazi is self-catering, serviced daily, and guests may choose to dine at the Hilltop Camp restaurant. Guests are required to report to Hilltop Camp reception on arrival.

Munyawaneni Bush Lodge – Hluhluwe
Situated on the banks of the Hluhluwe River, Munyawaneni accommodates 8 guests in four two-bed reed and thatch units, each with en-suite bathrooms. The units are linked by walkways to the central open-plan lounge with a fully equipped kitchen. A cook and a guide are in attendance.

Muntulu Bush Lodge – Hluhluwe
Muntulu consists of two-bed units, each with individual viewing decks and private shower and toilet facilities. The lodge accommodates 8 guests in pristine surrounds, with the units linked by wooden walkways to a main living area. A cook and a guide are in attendance.

Getting There

Nyalazi Gate

• Open: 05h00 – 19h00 (Oct–Mar) / 06h00 – 19h00 (Apr–Sep)
• Route: From N2, turn west onto Nongoma Road – R168. Distance from N2: 27 km.
• Time to Hilltop: ~1 hour | Time to Mpila: ~45 min.

Memorial Gate

• Open: 05h00 – 19h00 (Nov–Feb) / 06h00 – 19h00 (Mar–Oct)
• Route: From N2, take Hluhluwe off-ramp, turn west. Distance from N2: 21 km.
• Time to Hilltop: ~40 min.

Cengeni Gate

• Open: 05h00 – 19h00 (Oct–Mar) / 06h00 – 19h00 (Apr–Sep)
• Not recommended due to poor road conditions. Use Ulundi road (30 km from gate) if necessary.

Additional Notes

• Watch out for livestock on roads.
• Restrooms available at Nyalazi and Memorial Gates.
• Request a park map at the gate.