National park · South Africa
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi ParkHluhluwe-iMfolozi National Park
Enter Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park: pay a conservation levy of R210 per adult night (check), drive yourself or join a guided hike; best months May–Oct; avoid peak weekend crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
960 km² (371 sq mi)371 sq mi (960 km²)
approximate
Established
1989
Best months
Apr–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 960 km² (371 sq mi)371 sq mi (960 km²)
- Park covers about 960 km² (≈96,000 ha) of rolling savanna, forest and wetlands.
- Established
- 1989
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Durban
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is South Africa's oldest wildlife reserve, renowned for its Big Five game and the world’s largest white rhino population, offering self‑drive safaris and guided multi‑day hikes across varied terrain.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1989.
Size and age
960 km² (371 sq mi)371 sq mi (960 km²) · national park since 1989
Park covers about 960 km² (≈96,000 ha) of rolling savanna, forest and wetlands.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Durban.
Why go
- Big Five game viewing in a less‑crowded park.
- World‑leading white rhino population.
- Guided multi‑day hikes through varied terrain.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry; fewer tourists.
- FebMild, dry.
- MarStart of warm season.
- AprWarm, low rain.
- MayDry, ideal for game drives.
- JunDry, good visibility.
- JulDry, cooler evenings.
- AugDry, excellent wildlife spotting.
- SepDry, start of shoulder season.
- OctDry, pleasant temperatures.
- NovWarmer, occasional showers.
- DecWarm, occasional rain.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White rhino, black rhino, elephant, lion, buffalo, leopardAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds of prey, waterfowlMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Durban
Drive north on the N2, turn west at Mtubatuba; 30 km (19 mi) to the gate.Drive north on the N2, turn west at Mtubatuba; 19 mi (30 km) to the gate.
≈3 h
Open the page →
From Hluhluwe town
Local road signs lead 15 km (9.3 mi) west to the gate.Local road signs lead 9.3 mi (15 km) west to the gate.
≈20 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hluhluwe Gate | Main entry, ticket office, vehicle check‑in. | Open daily; levy paid on arrival. |
| Mtubatuba Gate | Alternative entry on the eastern side. | Open daily; same levy. |
| Hilltop Resort Area | Accommodation, restaurant, fuel, guided drives. | Reservation required; gate times enforced. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park and key facilities.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservation levy (park entry) | ZAR 210 (≈ US$12) | person | International visitors; South African rate half (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided hike permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Conservation levy
- Must be paid on arrival; different rates for locals and internationals.
- Guided hikes
- All multi‑day hikes require a licensed guide.
- Off‑road driving
- Not permitted outside designated roads.
- Night drives
- Only with a licensed operator and permit.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated BBQ areas only.
Where to stay
In the park
Hilltop Resort
Lodges with restaurant, fuel, and guided drives; gate times enforced.
In the park
Mpila Resort
Basic cabins, self‑catering; conservation levy applies.
In the park
Umfolozi Big Five Game Reserve
Luxury lodges (Mthembu, Biyela); separate community fee.
Near the park
Hluhluwe town
Budget B&Bs, guesthouses, and restaurants.
Safety
Heat medium
Malaria low
Vehicle breakdown medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gates reachable by standard car; short walks to view points.
- Guided hikes involve uneven terrain; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Pay the conservation levy to support anti‑poaching work.
- Choose lodges that source food locally and limit waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park?
A conservation levy of R210 per adult night is charged (international rate; South African residents pay half).
What are the best hikes in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park?
Guided multi‑day hikes arranged through KZN Wildlife are the main option; short day walks to waterholes are also available.
When is the best time to visit Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park?
May to October offers dry weather and excellent wildlife viewing.
Can I drive my own car in the park?
Yes, on designated roads; off‑road driving is prohibited.
Are there malaria risks?
The park is a low‑risk area, but consult a doctor if you are vulnerable.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go