The Hluhluwe and Umfolozi reserves were founded in 1895 and are the oldest such sanctuaries in South Africa. It was here that the world- acclaimed Operation Rhino was introduced during the 1960s, successfully capturing and relocating white rhino to havens within South Africa and abroad. As a result, this country's white rhino population is now 12 times the 1960 count of 500. Today a single park, Hluhluwe Umfolozi is focusing its efforts on saving the endangered black rhino, whose number in Africa has dwindled from 14 000 to a pitiful 2 550 in the past decade. You'll find at least a fifth of the world's black and white rhino population here.
This
park is located in central Zululand.
From the north, leave the N2 at the Hluhluwe off-ramp. At the stop street turn
right and cross over the freeway, follow this tar road for about 14 Km to the
memorial gate, the northern entrance to the reserve.
Coming from the south, cross the bridge over the Umfolozi river on the main north coast road (N2), and take the Umfolozi Game Reserve turnoff, 3km north of the Mtubatuba turnoff. From the north the signboard is opposite the Mtubatuba turn off on the right. Take the tarred Nongoma road for 27km, before turning off left to the Nyalazi gate. Follow the signposts to Umfolozi. The reserve may also be approached from Vryheid, either via Nongoma and Hlabisa, (but most of the route is gravel), or via the tarred road to Ulundi, then take the gravel road to the Cengeni gate, which is 24km from Mpila Camp.
Besides the big five - Rhino, Elephant, Leopard, Lion And Buffalo, There is an astonishing variety of wildlife to ensure a fascinating encounter for the visitor.
KZN Wildlife offers lodge or self-catering accommodation at Mtwazi, Hilltop, Muntulu and Munyawaneni in the Hluhluwe section of the park. In the Umfolozi section accommodation is provided at Masinda,Mpila, Sontuli, Nselweni, Gqoyeni, Hlathikhulu, Mpila, Sontuli, Nselweni,Gqoyeni and Hlathikhulu camps.
Set
in the heart of Zululand, the oldest game reserve in Africa where Zulu
kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation
laws, where today the "big five" of African legend stalk the verdant
savannah. Established in 1895 game viewing is the prime attraction. Viewing
hides overlook pans and waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close
range.
As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 60s, the Park became world renowned for its white rhino conservation. Other areas of focus for which Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park is famed include wilderness trails which originated in Umfolozi in the 1950s and its renowned Game Capture unit recently upgraded into the Centenary Capture Centre, a bench mark for animal capture and sustainable utilization throughout Africa.
The Park covers some 96 000 ha and contains an immense diversity of
fauna and flora. Hluhluwe is characterised by hilly topography, and this northern
section of the park is noted for its wide variety of both bird and
animal life.
Apart from game-viewing drives, there are two self-guided auto trails
which provide information on both the management and natural history of
the reserve.
Guided walks are also available, particularly rewarding in the early
morning and late afternoon.
There is a 40 seater boat on Hluhluwe dam which takes visitors on guided trips twice a day. The trips are conducted by an experienced community guide and visitors can see an excellent range of birds and animals within the park while the Zulu culture is covered in the community areas outside.