The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, located in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa lies approx. 250km north-east of Durban and 50km/ 30km of the N2 national road depending on which entrance gate you choose to use. Established in 1895, it is the oldest game reserve in Africa (along with the nearby Greater St Lucia Wetland Park).

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi covers a surface area of some 96 000 ha. It is home to an immense diversity of fauna and flora (plant- and wildlife), including the Big Five. Some of the species in the game reserve, which includes more than 80 species of mammal, are: the black and white rhino, elephant, lion, blue wildebeest, leopard, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, cheetah, hippo, crocodile, kudu, impala, reedbuck, and duiker. 350 Bird species have been recorded in the reserve, including narina trogon, bateleur and ground hornbill.

Conservation
The reserve is famous for its rhino, both the white, or square-lipped, rhinoceros and, in lesser numbers, its cousin, the black or hook-lipped rhinoceros. Relative to its size, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi is home to the largest population of the southern white rhino in the world, between 1 500 and 2 000.

The story of this magnificent prehistoric-looking beast's rescue from extinction is synonymous with the park's history, and is a foundation stone of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife's international reputation as a conservation agency.

Presently conservation efforts are being focused on the plight of the Black Rhino. As little as 25 years ago, the black rhino was by far the most populous of the rhino species on earth, then estimated to be approximately 65 000. Since then, its numbers have dwindled to less than five per cent of that estimate. The safety of this seriously endangered species is relatively secure only in highly protected areas such as South Africa's game reserves and national parks, notably Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, where its numbers have gradually increased thanks to years of rigorous counter-poaching measures. The park holds approximately 320 black rhino. This is the largest single concentrated population of the species per square kilometre in the world.

Accommodation
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi offers various accommodation options, we strongly recommend Hilltop Rest Camp* - it is by far the best suited to international visitors. The other accommodation options are either based on self-catering or contracting caterers for small private parties.

Game Drives
Game drives can be undertaken on a self-drive basis or you may enrol on one of the reserve's guided day or night game drives. Self-drive game drives after dark and off-road driving are not permitted.