Top Tourist Places in Hluhluwe (Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park), South Africa, Africa

Top Tourist Places in Hluhluwe (Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park), South Africa, Africa

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park is a nature park situated in the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, around 280 km north of the city of Durban. It is considered as the oldest nature park in the country, spanning over an area of 960 km². Established in 1895, the park is well known for the world’s largest white rhino population. Earlier called Hluhluwe–Umfolozi Game Reserve, the park is one of the best outdoor tourist destinations in South Africa, home to five big game animals such as Cape buffalo, lion, leopard, elephant and rhinoceros. The park is located at 28°13′11″ S 31°57′07″ E and accounts 86 special animal species and 340 bird species. Mtubatuba is the closest town to the park, situated around 35 km away.

History of Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park:

During the rule of the Zulu kingdom in the region, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park was used as a royal hunting ground. It was developed primarily with the objective of conserving endangered white rhinoceros in 1895 and today white rhinoceros population account around 1000 in the park. The park was visited by the former late President Nelson Mandela on April 30, 1995 on the occasion of the centenary of the park.

Getting Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park:

Richards Bay Airport is the closest commercial airport to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, situated around 80 km south of the park. This airport is served by South African Express and Airlink with scheduled flights from Johannesburg. The Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park is located around 260 km northeast of the Durban International Airport.

For airport travel, taxis are recommended and if one booked private transfer prior to reaching the airport that would be comfortable and convenient. N2 is the highway connecting park with Durban city.

Food and Shopping in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park:

The town of Hluhluwe has all sorts of facilities like shops, supermarkets, international food chains, including KFC, pharmacy and clinics as well.

Things to do in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park:

Safari
Bird Watching
Hiking

What to see in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park?

Safari at Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve:

Safari is the first preference of visitors visiting Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve. There are many tour operators around the park, organizing both full day and half day safaris at a cost of around R850 per person and R750 per person respectively.

Hluhluwe Dam:

The Hluhluwe Dam is constructed over the Hluhluwe River flowing through Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, where many tour operators offer guided boat excursion two times every day that boat generally features 40-seats. Advance booking can be done.

Bonamanzi Game Reserve:

Situated towards the northeast of the Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, the Bonamanzi Game Reserve is a private game reserve, sharing borders with the Lake St. Lucia and Hluhluwe River. It is a world famous bird watching destination, where visitors can also enjoy boat cruises, and game drives.

Mkuze Game Reserve:

The Mkuze Game Reserve features a real beauty of nature with the blend of waterfalls, trees and rich landscape. The park also offers amazing safari and bird watching experience that is offered by many tour operators with convenient guide.

Lake St. Lucia:

The Lake St. Lucia is located around 40 km northeast of Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, near the village of Hluhluwe. With an area of 350 sq. km, the Lake St. Lucia is South Africa’s largest estuarine lake, home to hippopotami, crocodiles and several typical bird species.

Other places of interest in and around Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park include:

False Bay
Sodwana Bay
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Ophathe Game Reserve

When to visit Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park?

The best time to visit Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park depends on what visitors like to do in the park, although the best and most popular time is from May to September.

Where to stay in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park?

The Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park itself houses many lodges within and also visitors can consider guest houses in nearby Hluhluwe and Mtubatuba towns. There also many self catering rustic bush lodges in and around the park. Here are some famous hotels in and around Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park: