Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve
Overview
South Africa Parks
Philip lives in South Africa and has authored many guidebooks to African destinations, including ‘The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa’.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the flagship park of the Kwazulu-Natal province. It is also one of the oldest parks in Africa, originally created in the 1890s as a sanctuary for one last tiny population of southern white rhino. This is where the species was saved from extinction. Rhino are now very common in the park.
Pros & Cons
Wildlife
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi offers great wildlife viewing and is home to all of the Big Five. Both rhino species are present and white rhino is particularly common. The thick vegetation makes it difficult to spot any of the big cats. Wild dogs have been reintroduced and are most likely to be observed when active early or late in the day.
Scenery
The park has beautiful scenery with rolling hills, valleys, forests and grassy plains. Three rivers flow in the valleys, the most notable being the Hluhluwe river with its string of pools. Most of the vegetation is very thick, making wildlife viewing a bit more of a challenge.
Weather & Climate
Winter at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, which lasts from May to September, is generally a warm and dry affair. The exception tends to be the mid-season period from June to August when the mornings can be quite cool. Summer (October to April), on the other hand, is hot and humid. The park also gets lashed by thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Best Time To Visit
The humidity, high-season prices and crowds, and regular downpours are three reasons why the Wet season (October to April) isn’t that appealing for a visit. You’ll likely enjoy the wildlife watching more in the Dry season (May to September) when the sky is cloud-free, and the animals make a beeline for water sources. You’ll also have the park mostly to yourself then, with the exception of school holidays, of course.
Want To Visit Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR?
Safari Tours to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR
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![7-Day South Africa Safari: Hluhluwe Elephant Coast]()
7-Day South Africa Safari: Hluhluwe Elephant Coast
$4,099 to $4,499 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, Elephant Coast (Highlight), Johannesburg (End)
Wayfairer Travel
4.8/5 – 178 Reviews
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4-Day Hluhluwe Safari at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
$1,006 to $1,210 pp (USD)
South Africa: Private tour
Mid-range LodgeYou Visit: Durban (Start), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, Durban Airport (End)
Indigo Safaris
4.7/5 – 150 Reviews
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8-Day Kruger Park - Eswatini - St Lucia Package
$3,237 pp (USD)
South Africa & Eswatini: Shared tour (max 10 people per vehicle)
Mid-range Lodge & Guest HouseYou Visit: Johannesburg (Start), Kruger NP, Panorama Route (Highlight), Mantenga (Cultural Village), iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR, King Shaka Airport (End)
Elephant Herd Tours & Safaris
4.9/5 – 147 Reviews
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