Reasons to Visit Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
- * Good wildlife viewing with the Big Five and both rhino species * Excellent self-drive destination * A unique and diverse wildlife sanctuary * Wild dogs have been reintroduced * Great birding in the Wet season * Wide variety of lodges to suit all budgets
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve Wildlife
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is a scenic reserve and offers good wildlife viewing. All of the Big Five are present, but while white rhinos, elephants, and buffalo are regularly seen, big cat sightings are hit-and-miss. Giraffe and Burchell’s zebra are some of the more common species found throughout the park.With more than 340 species recorded, along with excellent facilities for independent travel, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is a great birding destination. There are several birding shelters in the park, and the viewpoint from Hilltop Camp is a great place to observe birds of prey, such as bateleur and martial eagle, soaring over the bush. Several pairs of southern bald ibis are known to breed within the park. Migratory birds are present from November to April.
Black RhinoOccasional
BuffaloCommon
CheetahOccasional
ElephantCommon
GiraffeCommon
HippoCommon
HyenaOccasional
LeopardRare
LionOccasional
RhinoCommon
Wild DogRare
WildebeestCommon
ZebraCommon
Wildlife Highlights
The park is famous for its white rhino conservation success and has one of the largest populations in the world. Black rhino is also present in significant numbers but rarely seen. The gracious nyala is a Kwazulu-Natal special as it is very common in the province, but rare elsewhere. Lucky visitors might stumble on a pack of wild dog, and the elusive leopard is sometimes spotted on night drives.
Best Time to Visit Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
Best Time to Visit
Best Weather
Worst Weather
The best time for wildlife viewing in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is during the dry months of June to September. The end of the Dry season, from August to September, is a particularly nice time since temperatures are higher than in mid-winter and animals are concentrated around predictable water sources at the end of a long dry period.
Low Season
- April to September (Excellent time for wildlife viewing)
High Season
- October to March (The park can get busy especially during school holidays)
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve Weather and Climate
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi’s winter and summer fall at opposite times of the year to the corresponding seasons in Europe and North America. Summer corresponds with the Wet season and winter with the Dry season. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi has a sub-tropical climate. The wet summer months (October to April) are hot and humid. Dry winters (May to September) are pleasantly warm.
How to get to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is located about 250km/155 mi north of Durban and is easily reached by tarred road. The reserve is rarely a destination in its own right and is usually part of a tour around the country.Most visitors to South Africa fly into O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg or Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and start their holiday there, but it is also possible to fly to King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban.By Air
There are domestic flights to King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban where people can also choose self-drive options.By Road
The nearest town is Hluhluwe Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa is Hluhluwe village, 25km (15 miles) away. The recommended route whether coming from the north or south, is to turn off the N2 at Hluhluwe village and to follow the road to Memorial Gate. Alternatively, turn off the N2 at Mtubatuba on the R618 and continue towards Hlabisa. Drive for 27kms (16 miles) to Nyalazi Gate. The drive from the gate to the camp is 15km (9 miles). This game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is about 2,5 hours north of Durban on the Elephant Coast in Zululand.Where to stay in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
No accommodation found for this parent destination.