Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve

Wish we had more time

My wife and I visited Hluhluwe-iMfolozi as a day-trip during our stay at another game reserve. We wish we had taken more time to explore this park. It was massive and had so many opportunities for great wildlife viewing, we felt like we barely scratched the surface. One of our favorite spots was a hide built above a watering hole. We were able to watch a troop of baboons try to defend the spot from some nyala. The views from the roads and paths were truly breathtaking. We will be sure to give Hluhluwe-iMfolozi much more time next time we visit South Africa!

Since it's nature a lot of this comes down to luck but on our one morning here we saw a fresh buffalo kill with over a dozen lions feeding on it, and no less than eight rhinos, some with young calves. The atmospherics are a big different than Kruger as it's more green and there's less brush.

Again, easy to access. The tented camp at Mpila was GREAT. Stay there. For a few nights if you can.

This is the epicenter of Dr Ian Player's save the Rhino project.

Abundance of wildlife and good location

With a good motorway from Durban, we found the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve to be a good safari destination with hills and valleys making for some variety in the scenery. We saw an abundance of wildlife. Our highlight was seeing and photographing lions in close proximity on both days we were there. We also saw elephant, white rhino, zebra, blue wildebeest, buffalo, warthog, nyala, kudu, impala and a variety of birds. The facilities were good and the staff friendly. Generally, it was an all-round pleasant experience. We also found the location handy, as it’s a relatively short drive to Lake St Lucia for coastal wildlife.

The park is amazing for Rhinos. I also saw Wild Dogs and Secretary Birds which I had not seen in other parks. The accommodation in the private chalets in Hilltop is outstanding, large and spacious and even comes with a breakfast buffet in the restaurant which has amazing views.

Fabulous scenery. The Big Five in abundance plus wild African dogs.

I spent two weeks in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve volunteering with the biennial herbivore census through Earthwatch.org. I was trained in how to use a GPS, range finder and compass. For two straight weeks, I spent each morning, dawn till about 10:30 am, hiking through the bush alone accompanied by just one ranger with a big gun. I came within a few meters of lions, a leopard, elephants, both white and black rhino, cape buffalo, zebra and a wide range of other ungulates. The scenery is fantastic. There were many birds but I am not a birder so cannot comment on this. I slept in a tent to the sounds of lions and hyenas. I got to know Zulu rangers and workers despite our limited understanding of each other's language.This opportunity does require that you be in good enough shape to hike up to 9 or 10 miles a day at about 2.5 miles an hour plus be strong enough to get into a tree quickly with a boost from the ranger. I am 68 and a woman and was able to do this trip easily, including getting into a tree. However, I did work out for months in preparation for the trip. Well worth the effort.

Unforgettable experience. Only regret is waiting until my 74th birthday for first Africa Safari.

Our lodging accommodations were at Makakatana Bay Lodge in iSimangaliso Wetland Park near St. Lucia. It is very comfortable lodge with only 6 guest rooms allowing for a very intimate experience with wonderful service.
On our second day at Makakatana, our guide Michael drove us to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve. It was about an hour drive and we were at the entrance to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve when it opened at 6:00 AM. We weren't very far into the reserve when Michael pointed out a tree full of vultures. Instinctively Michael went straight to tree expecting to find some predator feeding on a recent kill. Just as we arrived to within about 50 meters of the tree six lions came scampering out of the bush. We soon became aware that the lions were being dispersed by an adult male elephant. The lions won’t try to take a fully grown elephant but they can prey upon the young ones. The action taken by the adult male elephant was to allow the female to pass safely with her young ones. Nothing can compare to seeing these amazing animals in their natural habitat with the ability see how they interact with members of their own species and how the activities of different species are interrelated. Here we saw the vultures waiting for the lions to finish feeding while elephants chases off the lions so the female with young could pass safely, then observing three young male lions huddled together for mutual grooming, cleaning and bonding.
During the remainder of the day we continued driving through the reserve on scenic winding roads observing different animal species (mammals and birds) at every turn. The abundance of wildlife at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and the ability to observe it close-up was an awe inspiring experience.
This was our first South African safari and at the conclusion of our second day there we decided that it would not be our last.
Images can be seen at <https://www.flickr.com/photos/fshufelt/albums/72157677022861421>

Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve is based in KwaZulu Natal and is the third biggest South African game reserve. The reserve is well known for bringing the rhino population back from possible extinction. The big five can be spotted at this reserve. The reserve is also close to the Isimangaliso Wetland Park a world heritage sight.

The terrain here gives you more of that bush vibe. Travelling up and down the hills gives you vistas and beautiful scenery. Wildlife is great and varied but maybe not as easy to spot as in Kruger.