Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park covers 960 km2 area in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. The park, established in 1989, is an amalgamation of the Hluhluwe Game Reserve and Umfolozi Game Reserve. It explains the park’s unique terrain, the hilly topography of the Hluhluwe section, combined with the grasslands, woodland, and forests in the Umfolozi section.
Hluhluwe is known for a lot of things prime amongst them are it’s thriving conservation efforts, rich wildlife, and a gruesome history that speaks of senseless animal slaughter.
In 2008, the park was thriving with 1600 white rhinos, hundreds of which were relocated, nourishing the dwindling population in other regions. But in 2020, the park lost 28 rhino to these opportunist poachers, and on 6th March 2020, two poachers were killed in a shootout.
The park authorities have implemented high-tech security protocols using drones to detect and provide rapid response, to prevent any further occurrences of poaching activities.
History of the Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park
- 1824-1895: With the increasing demand for animal skin and ivory, hunting-trading became a more profitable activity, more so than farming.
- 1824: British traders equipped with firearms arrived in Zululand at the colony of Natal. Hippo, elephants, and buffaloes were primarily hunted for their skin and ivory.
- 1845-1855: Ostriches stripped of their feathers, buffaloes, and bucks of their hides and horn, some of them which are still on display in museums.
- 1860: The last elephant shot and killed in Zululand is on display in the Natal Museum in Pietermaritzburg.
- 1870: Lions, hippos, and rhinos hunted to extinction in the area, with only rare sightings of the remaining species such as ostriches.
- The 1890s: The early hunters, horrified by the pointless animal killings, helped set the hunting regulations. Hluhluwe, Imfolozi, Lake St. Lucia, and Pongola Park were established to preserve the remaining animals in the region. However, over this decade, the Tsetse fly population had increased, expediting the spread of Nagana disease.
- 1895: Hluhluwe proclaimed as a ‘Game Reserve’ to provide sanctuary for white rhinos.
- 1897: Umfolozi Game Reserve was also established to provide the endangered white rhino’s a permanent sanctuary.
- 1921: A research station was established in Umfolozi to eradicate the Tsetse fly population. The anti-tsetse campaign led to the slaughter of 100,000 animals, with the belief that when there was no nourishment left for the tsetse fly, the disease would stop. White rhinos were one of the few species that didn’t bear the brunt of this lunacy.
- 1945: DDT spraying proved effective in the termination of the flies.
- The 1960s: Operation Rhino was introduced, which brought the dwindling white rhino back from the brink of extinction.
- 1985-1991: 160 elephants from Kruger national park were moved to Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park. Since their introduction to the area, the elephant population in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park has flourished. Today, the park has around 600 elephants.
- 1989: The merger of Hlulume and Umfolozi Game Reserve was brought on with a wildlife corridor.
- 1999: Due to the low lion population, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi lions faced inbreeding. The Lion Project introduced new blood to the existing bloodlines.
Wildlife In Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park
The last known Rhinos count for Hluhluwe-Imfolozi park was 400 black rhinos and 1600 white rhinos. The park has flourished under conservation efforts such as ‘Operation Rhino’, ‘Lion Project’, elephant relocation, and introduction of wild dogs. Today, it is amongst the select few national parks that have a sizable Big Five population.
It is home to over 85 mammals, which include the Nile crocodile, blue wildebeest, jackal, kudu, suni, waterbuck, spotted hyena, and cheetah. It is also a fascinating birding destination with over 350 bird species, including black-bellied korhaan, Klaas’s cuckoo, night heron, and Wahlberg’s eagle.
Interestingly, the park is the only location in South Africa, where three of the longclaw species (rosy-throated, yellow-throated, and cape longclaw) are seen together.
Camps In Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park
Most of the accommodations near and in the park are self-catering accommodation. Nselweni Bush Camp, Masinda Lodge, Mtwazi Lodge, Munyawaneni Bush Lodge, Hlatikulu Bush Lodge, and Gqoyeni Bush Lodge, are some of the well-known camps in the area. We have listed below two of the largest camps in the park.
- Hilltop Camp: The largest camp in the park is the only camp in the region to offer non-catering services. Strategically built over the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve’s hilltop, it offers panoramic views, dinner, and guided open vehicle game drives.
- Mpila Camp: Mpila, located in the park’s southern section, is the second-largest camp in the park. Like Hilltop, Mpila is also set on top of a hill and presents stunning views of the bushveld. Ideal for people intending to visit Umfolozi river or the Sontuli Loop.
When To Visit Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park
For game viewing, May to September is the best time to visit the Hluhluwe-imFolozi Game Reserve. It is the dry season, which thins out the vegetation, presenting tourists ample opportunities to view animals gathered around the water sources. For viewing the fantastic bird-life of the park, November to April is an ideal time to visit the Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park.
Login to your account
Register as a traveller if you are looking for deals
Register as a travel partner if you offer amazing safaris
You May Also Be Interested In...
Ithala Game Reserve
Ithala Game Reserve is a truly beautiful and fascinating safari destination. Located at the foot of the Ngotshe Mountains, the reserve offers magnificent views of the surrounding valleys. Ithala covers...
Garden Route National Park
Garden Route National Park covers 1,210 km2 of the ecologically diverse region of South Africa. Stretched across the eastern and western Cape provinces of South Africa, this park is a coastal reserve covered...
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covering 3,280 km2 and is located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The park offers its visitors a remarkably diverse ecosystem,...
Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe Game Reserve, the fifth largest game reserve in South Africa, covers 750 km2 of land from the north of Groot-Marico, all the way up to the border of Botswana. With its location on the Marico river...
Phinda Private Game Reserve
Blessed with seven distinct ecosystems, Phinda Private Game Reserve is amongst the most iconic safari destinations in South Africa. Situated between the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and the Mkuze Game...
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park, the largest national park in South Africa, covers 19,485 square kilometres across Limpopo and Mpumalanga, two of the nine South African provinces. Established in 1926, Kruger is the...
Addo National Park
Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa's Eastern Cape covers an area of around 1,600 km2, encompassing sections of the Karoo, the Zuurberg mountains, the Sundays River Valley and the coast. Addo has...
South Africa Safaris
Self Drive the Beautiful Garden Route
- 15 Days
Experience the scenic beauty of the Garden Route & South African coastline as you self-drive through...
-
Country:South Africa,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:15 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Port Elizabeth, end in Cape Town
6-Day Moya Safari Package
- 6 Days
In the heart of one of South Africa’s most interesting and exciting areas, Moya Safari Villa is in...
-
Country:South Africa,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:6 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Hoedspruit
14-Day Botswana, South Africa and Victoria Falls Safari
- 14 Days
This two week safari takes you to some of the best spots in South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Experience...
-
Country:Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa,
-
Departures:Array
-
Length:14 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Cape Town, end in Victoria Falls
Cape Town Whales & Garden Route
- 12 Days
This sustainable safari takes you from Cape Town, along the Whale Coast to the Garden Route and on to...
-
Country:South Africa,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:12 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Cape Town, end in Port Elizabeth
Wildlife Photography and Conservation
- 28 Days
In the world-renowned Greater Kruger Area, this safari photo workshop encompasses game drives to photograph...
-
Country:South Africa,
-
Departures:Array
-
Length:28 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Hoedspruit Airport
4-Day South Africa Big Five Safari, Spa and Beach
- 4 Days
Embark on a spectacular journey in the heart of South Africa where untamed wildlife, serene spa retreats,...
-
Country:South Africa,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:4 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Cape Town International Airport, end in Cape Town International Airport
Essential Kruger Safari
- 5 Days
Spend four nights in the remarkable Greater Kruger, enjoying two nights in the Timbavati Game Reserve...
-
Country:South Africa,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:5 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Hoedspruit, end in Nelspruit
4-Day Pumba Game Reserve, Eastern Cape
- 4 Days
Feel at one with nature in your own private glass enclosed chalet, as you watch the South African sun...
-
Country:South Africa,
-
Departures:Array
-
Length:4 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Port Elizabeth, end in Port Elizabeth
Escorted Whale Shark Scuba Special
- 10 Days
Join our tour to St Helena in January 2022 to see whale sharks, escorted by pro-UW photographer Christopher...
-
Country:South Africa, St Helena,
-
Departures:Array
-
Length:10 Days
-
Start/end:Start/end in Johannesburg, South Africa
Guided Bush & Mozambique Dive Safari
- 15 Days
From game viewing in South Africa and Swaziland to diving the reefs of Mozambique, this fantastic tour...
-
Country:South Africa, Mozambique, Swaziland,
-
Departures:Year Round
-
Length:15 Days
-
Start/end:Start in Johannesburg, end in Johannesburg