Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve★★
The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve (pronounced: "Schlu-schlu-weh") is Africa's oldest game reserve (est. 1895) and the cradle of one of the greatest conservation success stories: In the 1960s, the white rhino was nearly extinct — only 200 animals existed worldwide, almost all here. Through the breeding program "Operation Rhino," thousands of rhinos were saved and relocated to parks worldwide.
Safari Experience
- Big Five: All five can be found here — rhinos (both white and black!) are particularly common
- Self-drive possible: Well-maintained roads, significantly fewer visitors than in Kruger
- Guided bush walks: The reserve offers multi-day Wilderness Trails — on foot through the bush with an armed ranger. 4 days/3 nights from 4,500 ZAR (€225). An intense, primal safari experience.
- Hilltop Camp: The park's main camp, on a hill with panoramic views over the rolling wilderness. Restaurant, pool, bar. From 1,200 ZAR/night.
Entrance: 270 ZAR (€14) adults.
💡 Tipp
Hluhluwe-Imfolozi is the perfect alternative to Kruger for travelers in KwaZulu-Natal: smaller, more personal, less traffic, and the best rhino sightings in South Africa. Combine it with iSimangaliso for a KZN safari week.
