A tour around the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park lets visitors experience the wonder of conservation.
Formerly known as the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park is the oldest proclaimed reserve in Africa. 96000 hectares in size, it was officially opened in 1895 and is the only state-run park in Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) that is home to the African Big 5.
The park, which is just a 2-hour drive from KZN’s biggest city and economic hub Durban, is world renowned for its conservation efforts and history. Established as a sanctuary to protect White Rhino and elephant populations that had been decimated by over 60 years of heavy poaching in the 19th century, the park now has the largest population of White Rhino in the world.
Defined by breath-taking views of rolling hills in the north and lush savannah and roaring rivers to the south, the game reserve offers travellers the chance to experience an African safari like no other with the option of staying in its world-class luxury lodges or choosing oneof the park’s well-equipped campsites for visitors who want more of an outdoor trip.
Teeming with unique wildlife only found in its corner of the world, the reserve hosts more than 1200 plant species, 84 mammal and 350 bird species as well as reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects. Despite its picturesque views, one of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi’s biggest draws is its hyperfocus on conservation and ensuring sustainable wildlife travel for future generations.
This includes its Save The Rhino initiative, which was created in the late 1890s to try and save the fewer than 100 White Rhinos around the Umfolozi area that were left on Earth at that time. Conservationists in South Africa worked tirelessly to revive the wildlife species in park during the succeeding years and from the early 1960s onwards, new species where reintroduced to the region by the Natal Parks Board and the KwaZulu Natal Conservation Services.
The corridor area between the Imfolozi and the Hluhluwe was finally incorporated in 1989 and has helped create a fully functional ecosystem by allowing a natural movement of gamebetween the two areas. Today Hluhluwe-Imfolozi sees thousands of visitors from around the globe annually and many people get to experience the joy of seeing diverse animals and plants. The park has also done extensive work to help reintroduce rhinos in several neighbouring Southern African countries like Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the African savannah and witness the conservation efforts of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park for yourself. Don't miss out on the chance to see the African Big 5 and explore over 1200 unique plant species. Whether you choose to stay in a luxury lodge or camp under the stars, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi offers an unforgettable experience. Book your Enterprise rental car now and start your adventure today!
