Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve

Self-guided tour through this park getting very close to Elephants and other wildlife.

There wasn't much big game to see, we saw a few Elephants and twice we saw a small pride of Lions, but overall we were just seeing Rhino's and Zebra with a few Giraffe. It was a great place to go to see lots of birds, we were even able to get great photos of them as they seemed to never fly away. The food wasn't as good as the full-board safri we were at before, mainly because we had to find our own lunch.

This reserve has all the wild animals that Kruger has and being in KwaZulu Natal has a different and interesting bird life.

Wildlife is difficult to spot, due to the dense vegetation. But low visitor numbers and lovely landscapes make it a very pleasant experience

Primal Experience

This was my very first Safari experience in Africa, and the trip to Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve lived up to my expectations.

Although we did not get to see any large cats, it was still awesome to see all manner of mammals and birds. The particularly spectacular experience was seeing herds of elephants from just a few feet away, along with giraffe, zebra, all manner of deer, springbok, etc. I particularly remember seeing a beautiful zebra -- he/she looked gorgeous, even as we got close, and then we passed on the other side, we saw a huge gash on her face; the guide said she likely was attacked by a cat, and would be dead by nightfall.

landscape made of forest or bush covered hills. great diversity of animals and good chance to meet the big five

A magical, almost primordial, place apart.

My wife and I have visited Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve (the oldest in Africa, established in 1895) on four occasions – usually either before, or after, staying in St Lucia (on the coast to the east) so that I can experience the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park (renamed iSimangaliso Wetland Park, November 2007) and Cape Vidal.

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is about 280 km (174 miles) north of Durban or if you are travelling from Swaziland (e.g., Lavumisa/Golela Border Post) it’s a 3½ hour (approx.) drive due south. The park occupies around 960 km² or 96,000 hectares (371 sq. miles or 237,221 acres) in the middle of Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal – and affords the lucky visitor some breathtaking vistas. If you are possessed of a vivid imagination, you might almost think that you are in “Jurassic Park”, half expecting to stumble across an apatosaurus or a herd of hadrosaurs. Rather than dinosaurs, however, you will, almost certainly, experience many close encounters with ‘white’ rhinos, giraffes, zebras, nyalas, chacma baboons, vervet monkeys, elephants, woolly-necked storks, wart hogs and cape buffalos. You might also be exceptionally lucky to see, hovering in the skies, a huge African Crowned Eagle which has an appetite for vervet monkeys and even small antelope.

If you are overnighting for a few days at Hilltop Camp and take the Forest Trail you may encounter the small, secretive Red Duiker antelope (another meal time favourite of the African Crowned Eagle) in the company of iridescently-feathered Crested Guinea Fowl and, usually nearby, the ubiquitous vervet monkeys.

Joining a morning game drive in the company of expert rangers is a ‘must’ and, as well as having a fair chance of seeing other members of the ‘big five’, you may have the joy of meeting an extraordinary bird – the ground hornbill strolling down a track.

The accommodation around Hilltop Camp is well-equipped and more than adequate for any traveler. Remember to book in advance. If you are travelling independently, allow adequate time to reach your accommodation before the rapid nightfall. (Pack a torch/flashlight for ambling around camp at night.)

The food (buffet style) is quite good and can include (very tasty) game (e.g., Kudu); reasonable selection of wines. (As a general rule, the food in South Africa is of very high quality and naturally produced - not 'adulterated' or factory farmed as in the U.S. or much of the U.K.) Well-stocked ‘Curio Shop’. Generally friendly, helpful staff. The rangers are truly excellent and a mine of information and expert knowledge.

Essential to hire a car when visiting South Africa (if you want to experience as much as possible) – preferably a ‘high-sided’ vehicle with a bit of ‘poke’.

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is one of the planet’s enchanted places – which draws my wife and I irresistibly to it on every occasion when visiting the hugely varied and stunningly beautiful South Africa. Go visit!

This is the primier game park in KZN, and is world renowed for the white and black rhinos, and I have regularly spotted, lions, elephants, and other game in the park.
The bush vibe can be lost during the peak holiday seasons, dec- jan school holidays in South Africa, with lots of tourist busses and day- trippers zooming aournd the park. Off season it is a peacefull and wonderfull place to take a weekend break.

Unforgettable Experience

Living in a tent in the middle of the wildlife, withing 15 min driving seeing lots of rhino and elephants... especially the baby rhino was cute. Apes came even in our tent!

If I could I would defintely go again!

We met a dozen elephants very close during a sunset drive.