Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is the oldest game reserve in Africa (established 1895) and the place that saved the white rhino from extinction. The park covers 96,000 hectares of hilly bushveld in northern KZN, with both the Hluhluwe and iMfolozi sections connected by a wilderness corridor. All Big Five are here. The Hilltop Camp has accommodation with panoramic views. Camping and caravan options are available at Mpila in the iMfolozi section. It's about 3 hours north of Durban.
The Hluhluwe section (northern) is hilly and densely vegetated — great for elephant and rhino. The iMfolozi section (southern) is more open — lion and buffalo country. Centenary Centre in Hluhluwe has wildlife exhibits. The game-capture programme here pioneered rhino conservation in the 1960s. Self-drive game viewing is excellent on both sides. The park is less crowded than Kruger and the birding is outstanding (over 340 species). St Lucia and iSimangaliso Wetland Park are 45 minutes east for a combined trip.
Ballito
R3100/day
Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality
R1150/day
Empangeni
R980/day
Ballito, Kwazulu-natal, South Africa
R2250/day
Brettenwood Coastal Estate
R1600/day
Ethekwini Metropolitan Municipality
R500/day
Ballito
R275/day
Ugu District Municipality
R950/day
Ugu District Municipality
R950/day
Mpila Camp in the iMfolozi section has camping sites. Some caravan-friendly options exist. Book through Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Alternatively, camp at a caravan park in Hluhluwe town and day-trip into the park.
All Big Five — the park is particularly famous for rhino. Both white and black rhino are present. Elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, wild dog, giraffe, zebra, and nyala are common.
About 280km — roughly 3 hours on the N2 north. The gates are well-signposted from the highway.
Absolutely. St Lucia is about 45 minutes from Hluhluwe. Many people do game drives in the morning and estuary boat cruises in the afternoon. A week-long trip covering both is ideal.