Overview
In the entire province of Kwazulu-Natal, Hluhluwe - iMfolozi Game Reserve is deemed as the top leading park. This park happens to be one of Africa 2019s oldest parks. This park is home to the white rhino, which are starting to become extinct. In order to protect these species of wildlife, this park was granted protection for the rhino 2019s sanctuary. The rhinos have become a common sighting at the park.Why Go:
- Exceptional wildlife viewing of the rhino, as well as the Big Five
- The wet season offers a great bird viewing experience
- Brilliant self-drive destination
- The park’s rest camps are reasonably priced
Wildlife
Hluhluwe - iMfolozi Game Reserve provides an exceptional wildlife viewing experience to the visitors. This park is a habitat for the Big Five, especially the rhino species. The thick foliage of this reserve makes the spotting of the wildlife a little difficult. Wild dogs are often seen wandering around the reserve.
More About the WildlifeScenery
The beautiful scenery of the park comprises of grassy plains, forests, hills, and valleys with a river flowing. Since the plantations are thick, wildlife viewing can become a challenge for the visitors.
Best Time to Visit
Most visitors visit Hluhluwe - iMfolozi Game Reserve during the crowded months of October to April where the prices and the humidity are high. It regularly rains during these months, which makes the wet season a less appealing time to visit.The months of May to September is the dry season when the skies are free of clouds, and wildlife watching is at its best. At this time of the year, visitors are more likely to have the park all to themselves, except at the time of school breaks.
More About the Best Time to VisitWeather & Climate
The winter season Hluhluwe - iMfolozi Game Reserve occurs during the months of May to September. The weather tends to be dry and warm at this time. As the mid-season approaches, the mornings in the months of June to August come to be cool. The summertime during the months of October to April gets humid and hot, although the afternoons receive thunderstorms.
More About the Weather and ClimateWildlife & Animals
The scenic reserve of Hluhluwe – iMfolozi Game Reserve offers a thrilling wildlife viewing experience. Sightings of the Big Five, white and black rhinos, buffalos, big cats, and elephants can be spotted. Other common species found are giraffes and zebras roaming throughout the park.Elephant
CommonWild Dog
RareHyena
OccasionalCheetah
OccasionalLeopard
RareLion
OccasionalBlack Rhino
RareWhite Rhino
CommonWildebeest
CommonZebra
CommonBuffalo
CommonHippo
CommonGiraffe
Common
Wildlife highlights
Hluhluwe – iMfolozi Game Reserve is known for being a white rhino conservation park. This park has the largest population of the white rhinos found in the world. Other wildlife seen in the park on night drives are nyalas, antelopes, wild dogs, and leopards.Best time for wildlife viewing
Hluhluwe – iMfolozi Game Reserve offers its best wildlife viewing times in its dry months. These months start from June to September. The months August to September is when the dry season starts to end. During this time, temperatures start to rise, vegetation starts to thin down, and animals start to gather around the water sources.Best Time to Visit
May to September
- Dry Season - Winter- No plantations, so wildlife viewing is at its best
- Various safari animals are found to be gathered at the water sources
- With the exception of the time during school breaks, the Reserve is very peaceful and quiet
- Blue skies and little rain
October - April
- Wet Season - Summer- Beautiful landscapes and lush sceneries
- Lots of new-born animal sightings
- The presence of migratory birds makes exceptional and spectacular bird watching
Weather & Climate
Hluhluwe – iMfolozi Game Reserve is situated in the earth’s southern hemisphere, the summer and winter time is opposite to North American and Europe’s weather. Hluhluwe – iMfolozi Game Reserve follows the sub-tropical climate where the summer months of October to April are wet. During the months of May to September, the weather becomes pleasantly warm and cool at night.Climate Chart
Dry Season
- May to September - WinterDuring the winters, the reserve receives very little rainfall. The clouds in the sky disappear and the heat starts to become tolerable.
- May During the winters, the reserve receives very little rainfall. The clouds in the sky disappear and the heat starts to become tolerable.
- May Towards the end of the summer, the humidity drops and it starts to rain less. The weather is quite cool and pleasant in the morning, showing a temperature of 13°C/55°F. In the afternoon, the temperature reaches 24°C/75°F.
- June, July and August The average temperatures during the afternoons reaches 22°C/72°F. Although at night, the temperature reads to 11°C/52°F at night. Since the mornings can be quite cold and chilly, visitors are required to bring some warm clothing along.
- September The arrival of this month means the starting of the spring season. The temperatures are found to gradually start rising. The average temperature recorded in the day is 24°C/75°F. The temperature in the morning tends to be around 14°C/57°F. Thundershowers are very less unlikely to occur during this month.
Wet Season
- October to April - SummerThe summertime gets humid and very hot. Rainfall in the afternoons is likely to occur quite frequently. Visitors should expect heavy thunderstorms at this time of the month.
- October and November It will be quite common for rainfall to occur in the afternoons. There might be days when it will rain all day. The morning temperature will be ranging about 15°C/59°F. In the afternoons, the temperature will be around 26°C/79°F.
- December, January and February These three months will be humid and hot. On most afternoons, a storm is most likely to occur. The average afternoon temperatures will be found to measure 28°C/82°F. It is likely that the temperature rises even more. The temperature in the early morning will be around 18°C/64°F.
- March and April During these two months, the temperature starts to cool down. The humidity starts to decrease and rainfall starts to decrease. The afternoon temperature measures to be around 26°C/79°F. the mornings tend to be nice and warm, showing a temperature of 16°C/61°F.
Getting There
In the north of Durban, about 250km / 155mi lies Hluhluwe – iMfolozi Game Reserve. The tarred road makes it much easier to reach this reserve. Generally, visitors take a flight and land at Cape Town’s Cape Town International Airport, or in Johannesburg at O.R. Tambo International Airport. The other option would be to land in Durban at King Shaka International Airport (DUR).Airlines and Ticket Prices
To book your International and local flights, it is best to discuss options with our agents. They will be able to secure best tariffs and match it with your safari dates.
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