Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa and the flagship stop on the Route22 Elephant Coast journey. It is world-famous as the birthplace of white-rhino conservation and one of the best places in KwaZulu-Natal to see the Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino — on a single self-drive or guided safari.
Big Five game viewing & safaris
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is Big Five country. You can explore it on a self-drive safari in your own vehicle or join a guided game drive and night drive run from the park's camps. The hilly, thickly-wooded Hluhluwe section in the north and the open savanna of the iMfolozi section in the south together support lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, both black and white rhino, wild dog, cheetah, giraffe and huge herds of plains game.
Accommodation in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
Accommodation inside the park ranges from the well-known Hilltop Camp in the Hluhluwe section to Mpila Camp in iMfolozi, plus smaller bush camps and lodges. Many visitors also stay in the town of Hluhluwe or at private lodges just outside the gates — all listed in the Route22 directory so you can compare stays right along the route.
Gate times, fees & self-drive tips
The park charges a daily conservation fee and opens its gates at set times that change between summer and winter, so check the current Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife information before you travel. For self-drive safaris, arrive at gate opening for the best game viewing, keep to the speed limit, and never leave your vehicle except at designated points.
Best time to visit
Game viewing is rewarding year-round, but the cooler, drier winter months (May to September) concentrate animals around water and thin out the bush, making wildlife easier to spot. Summer brings lush scenery, newborn animals and excellent birding, with warmer, wetter days.
Planning a visit to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park?
Find lodges, camps, tours and activities near Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in the Route22 directory — or list your own business on the route.