Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Wildlife

All of the Big Five are found in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. Rhino are the highlight, and the park remains one of the best places in South Africa to see both white and black rhino. Elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard are present, although leopard are shy and seldom seen.

The park is also an important stronghold for African wild dog, and cheetah and spotted hyena are found as well. Plains game includes Burchell’s zebra, blue wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, impala and nyala, which is common in the thicker bush, while hippo and crocodile live in the rivers and dams.

Birdlife is rich, with more than 300 species recorded, including bateleur, white-backed vulture, southern ground hornbill and purple-crested turaco.

Key wildlife

• White rhino
• Black rhino
• Elephant
• Lion
• Leopard
• Buffalo
• Wild dog
• Cheetah
• Spotted hyena
• Nyala
• Giraffe
• Hippo
• Southern ground hornbill

Best Time to Visit

Short answer: May–Sep. Also good: Oct–Nov, Mar–Apr.

Peak Good Quieter

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi can be visited all year. The dry winter months, from May to September, offer the best game viewing, as the bush thins out and animals gather at rivers and waterholes. Days are mild and sunny, while early mornings can be chilly.

Summer, from about October to March, brings rain, heat and lush green landscapes. Many animals give birth and migrant birds arrive, but the thicker vegetation can make game harder to spot.

The park lies in a low-risk malaria area. Speak to a travel clinic about precautions, particularly if you are travelling in the summer months.

Getting There

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is about three hours’ drive north of Durban on the N2. The main entrance, Memorial Gate, is reached from the town of Hluhluwe, and Nyalazi Gate lies between the two sections. King Shaka International Airport (DUR) near Durban is the most convenient gateway, and Richards Bay has a smaller regional airport closer to the park.

Roads inside the park are a mix of tar and gravel, and the main routes are suitable for ordinary cars. Self-drive visitors should note that gate times are strictly enforced.

Many visitors combine the park with St Lucia and the iSimangaliso coastline, about an hour’s drive away, or with the private reserves of northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Fees & Access

Entrance fees

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife charges a daily conservation levy per person, which overnight guests also pay. For 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2026, international visitors pay R320 per adult and R160 per child under 12. South African and SADC residents with valid ID pay R160 per adult and R80 per child. A new tariff may apply from 1 November 2026, so confirm current rates before you travel.

Guided activities, wilderness trails and accommodation are charged separately.

Gate hours

05:00–19:00 (1 Nov–28 Feb); 06:00–18:00 (1 Mar–31 Oct). Gate times are strictly enforced.

Health

Malaria risk: Low. Ask a travel clinic about antimalarials before you go.

Fees and gate times change. Check the latest rates with the park authority before you travel.

Things to Do

Game drives, either self-drive or guided by Ezemvelo or your lodge, are the best way to explore the park’s hills and valleys in search of rhino and the rest of the Big Five.

Wilderness trails in the iMfolozi Wilderness Area are a highlight for keen walkers. Led by armed rangers, they range from short walks to multi-night trails in a roadless wilderness.

Guided walks of a few hours are offered from the main camps for those who want to experience the bush on foot without committing to a full trail.

Night drives run by the park offer the chance to see nocturnal animals such as hyena, genet and owls.

Hides at waterholes and dams allow quiet, patient wildlife watching and photography.

Explore other South African parks, such as the Kruger National Park and Madikwe, browse all safaris, or plan your safari with us.