Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve
Established in 1895 across 96,000 hectares of KwaZulu-Natal thornveld and coastal forest, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve operates as Africa's oldest proclaimed wildlife park and the birthplace of modern wildlife conservation translocation programs.
This is where Operation Rhino pulled white rhinoceros back from fewer than 50 individuals in the 1920s to today's population of 1,600. Where Ian Player and Magqubu Ntombela pioneered armed walking safaris in 1957, proving tourists would pay to track dangerous game on foot.
Where wild dog conservation protocols were first tested in the 1980s, stabilizing populations that continue breeding successfully across both sections of the reserve.
The park divides into two ecosystems, connected by a 7-kilometer wildlife corridor northern Hluhluwe's forested hills rising to 450 meters with dense thicket and seasonal waterholes, southern iMfolozi's flat acacia thornveld cut by the Black and White uMfolozi river systems.
Big Five populations thrive throughout, white rhinos near-guaranteed daily along access roads, elephants concentrated in northern valleys, buffalo herds numbering 4,000+ during dry season congregations, lions visible 3-4 times weekly, leopards requiring patience and multiple drives to encounter.
Three rest camps offer overnight accommodation inside the fenced park.
Day visitors access the reserve through Memorial Gate (north) or Nyalazi Gate (south), paying R240 conservation levy per adult daily. Gates open 05:00, close 18:00 year-round.
Famous For:
- Big 5 safaris with 1,600 white rhinos
- Wild dog conservation territories
- 340+ bird species
- Primitive Trail wilderness walks
- Operation Rhino translocation history
Average Accommodation: R980 per person per night (self-catering chalets)
Peak Season: October-April (summer, hot, 28-35°C)
Conservation Levy:
- South African residents: R120 per person daily
- International visitors: R240 per person daily
Best Time to Visit: Year-round wildlife viewing. Dry winter (May-September) concentrates animals at waterholes. Summer (October-April) brings lush vegetation and 340+ bird species breeding.
Vehicle Requirements: Standard 2WD vehicles access all main roads. 4x4 recommended for exploring secondary tracks during rainy season.
Main Gates:
- Memorial Gate (north): Use when approaching from Pongola or Mozambique
- Nyalazi Gate (south): Use when approaching from St Lucia or Durban
Hilltop Hluhluwe Game Reserve Accommodation
Imfolozi Game Reserve Accommodation
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Big -5 Safaris
Famouse For ?
Big-5 Safaris Wild Dogs Birding & Rhino Conservation Walking Safaris
Ave Price-PPpD
R980.00
Peak Times
Oct -April-Summer-HOT
Gate Fees-Levy
SAR R120.00-PPpD
INTR R240.00
Best Time To Go
Wildlife Great Year
Round
VEHICLE NEEDED
2X4 Is Fine in the park or 4x4
you can Explore More!
Worried About Crowded Game Reserves?
Can I Afford This,? Is it Expensive? Will I see the Big5?
Info Overload can definitely take the fun out of shopping? I'll do my best to provide clear answers for the right choices that fit your Plans & Budget. If your bit stuck in the planning stage? It's really simple.
- Figure out how much time you have,
- Then pick one of our Safari Packages that fits in that time slot, If Staying in Stlucia.
- Or book Accommodation only to stay in the Hluhluwe Imfolozi game park.
Is It worth It ? Our Customers Think So ..Tap Here & Find-out
We Find, Most people who come to Africa, The travelers we've met, Have wanted to come to Africa all there lives. And come back multiple times Some never leave. We provide the best experience.
Just Imagine You're On Safari, Or Maybe spending a Magical Night Sleeping In The Game Reserve, Feeling and Hearing the wild Awesome Power, Then a Lions Raws Close to camp while you're gazing into the fire. Holy Moly!
We Get You In Real Close For Great Photos
With Open 4x4s In Small Personal Groups
It's an Opportunity and a Privilege, To Witness & Venture into This Famous Big5 Reserve... You're definitely in the right place searching for Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park Accommodation And Safaris.
Just click any of these links. Options Like Hilltop Camp, Nselweni Camp Or Mpila Safari Tents and many of the 8-bed Luxury Lodges around the park..Or Our 2 Day Safari Package, Limited on time? Then our half-day or full-day safaris are action-packed. Look Below for more details.
Ready To Book?
Our Raving Customers.. Thank You...
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Absolutely awesome day. Four of us went, our driver/guide (Lindo) was brilliant taught us so much, we spent a wonderful day in the park of Imfolozi and would go again tomorrow.
A light breakfast was perfect after such an early start but was worth every minute. Great Braai for lunch too. Can’t explain the magical feeling of this park and the landscape is hard to even explain as it’s not what we expected, the tour itself was lovely,
the park isn’t too busy even two days before Christmas. Seeing lions well unforgettable and we didn’t think we would be that lucky, 4 out of the big five seen on our second day in St Lucia, can’t complain. The brilliant company would recommend in a heartbeat. Date of experience: December 2019
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What an awesome experience!!! We saw lions, a cheetah, elephants, buffalo, and rhino! Senzo was outstanding!
He clearly knows the bush very very well and spotted a cheetah and got us to it for a reasonably close up viewing. Such passion for wildlife so freely shared to give us the most memorable experience
Date of experience: December 2019 -
I had a wonderful time at iSimangaliso. Senzo was our tour guide and he was incredibly good at his job. 5 stars! Date of experience: December 2019
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We spent 4 days on Safari with heritage tours and everything was so well organized from the online booking in Australia, the transfers from Durban. we were taken to the office and Bev went over our itinerary with us and then we went to our Lodge.
We did 4-day trips and one night trip with them where we saw so many animals including Elephants, rhinos, giraffe, zebras, warthogs, hippos, and many more. The guides were excellent and we were lucky enough to have Lindor on one occasion and Senso twice. with their abundant knowledge and very sharp eyes to spot numerous birds and insects also.Each time our guide spotted an animal they positioned the vehicle to the best viewing and then explained all about that particular animal we came away with such a better understanding of South Africa. I am so glad we did those tours Date of experience: November 2019
As You Can See Some Truly Happy Customers
Who Can Say No To Great Value? And Memories Of Lifetime
See The Big5 Up Close ? Try One Of These Options
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi & Isimangaliso Safari Packages
These are some of our best Safaris Offered, By Heritage Tours & Safaris.
In The Hluhluwe Imfolozi-Park & St Lucia Wetlands World Heritage Site...
27 Fantastic Safari Adventures Plus Hippo/Birding Up Close, River Safaris In a World Heritage Site...
Exceptional! Our Classic 3 Night All-inclusive Safari. Most popular gives time to unwind.
Why? Because It combines Hi rated lodges that sit in fantastic locations With Big5 Game Viewing. Safari overland journeys Into The African Bush...
Experience the peaceful tranquillity & wonder, Of South Africas Big 5 Wildlife Habitats...
Top 3 Camps In Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve
Nselweni Bush Camp
Nselweni Bush Camp
When You Want To Be Left Alone
- A more secluded experience. All Self-Cater...Tented Roof ... 8 x 2 Beds... Solar Powered & Geni
- large Common Area For Meeting, cooking on an open fire with friends in the bush.
- Pretty Amazing, With Full Kitchen Braai, Showers Safari Walks & Game Drives A View Of The Umfolozi River
Hluhluwe Game Reserve Map
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Gate Times Entrance Fee's
Conservation Levy For Overnight Visitors & Day
A daily Conservation Levy of R240 per adult
R120 per child under 12 years
SA Residents Save 50% Off Gate Fees
Gate Opening 5 Am / Close 6pm Applies To All Gates
Imfolozi Hluhluwe...
History Some Facts About This Park
Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Game Park
Also known as Umfolozi game reserve. Established in 1895
They were 2 separate parks in the early 1900s made into one Great Game Park..
The idea, To help with natural migration and breeding territories.
Is the oldest game park in Africa. Set in the heartland of KZN, KwaZulu Natal South Africa.
The Game Park covers some 96 000 hectares and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora. Hluhluwe is characterized by hilly topography,
this Northern section of the park is noted for its wide variety of both bird and animal life.
As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 60s, the Game Park became world-renowned for its white rhino conservation. Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is famed for Starting The 1st Walking Safaris.
Trails which originated in Imfolozi in the 1950s
The Two parks, Now Makeup one big game reserve with fantastic Big5 sightings year-round.
The Park has a great history of saving many animals from near extinction.
( Rhino, Honey Badger, Wild Dogs) Thanks To Dr. Player and many Of His team of colleagues.
Accommodation In The Game Park: There are 2 main camps, Hilltop and Mpila,