South Africa's Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve

Useful Information

History

The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Reserve is the oldest in South Africa and on the African continent — it was established in 1895. It was founded because the area's natural abundance of wildlife quickly diminished due to intensive hunting. Hunting escalated when the “great white hunters” arrived, but it was happening in this area well before that. Zulu warriors used to dig massive pitfall traps to capture large numbers of animals along their natural migratory routes. The site is also known for ancient African tribes that worked metal for hunting and farming tools.

This reserve is also closely associated with Operation Rhino, which was pivotal in saving white and black rhino from extinction. The project went so well that the white rhinoceros was removed from the IUCN Red Data Book of threatened species. This project has restocked more than 3,500 white rhino to areas where they had become locally extinct. A major historical issue in the area was the tsetse fly and malaria mosquito, which authorities once attempted to combat by clearing wildlife. The iMfolozi junction was de-proclaimed as a reserve to enable the use of DDT to fight these vectors. Such practices ended in the 1960s, and since then, wildlife has been well protected.

Wildlife

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is one of the classic Big Five reserves. It is also one of the few places where white and black rhino can still be seen. Giraffe and Burchell's zebra are common, as is Cape buffalo. Finding elephant and big cats can be more challenging, but they are certainly there. The elephant migrate throughout the park. cheetah and lion are occasionally spotted, and there are also rare leopard sightings. Opt for a night drive to improve your chances of seeing leopard or wild dog.

On a night drive, you may also enjoy a chance encounter with hippo out of the water, as during the day you may only sneak a peek at the top of its head and back as it wallows. The park is home to large populations of blue wildebeest, impala, kudu, and waterbuck. Rare species that attract enthusiasts include the samango monkey that inhabits thick forests and the graceful nyala. Birding is excellent, as the park has several bird hides that delight enthusiastic bird watchers. From Hilltop Camp, many raptor may be seen soaring. With more than 340 species recorded, there will undoubtedly be species even committed birders have not encountered. Some rare species include the brown-headed parrot, narina trogon, white-fronted bee-eater, and lanner falcon.

Vegetation & Terrain

Before the parks merged in 1989, the division hindered animals from using what would have been a natural corridor between the grasslands and forests as the seasons changed. Today they are free to roam, and the natural ecosystem is flourishing. An estimated 1,200 plant species can be found in the region, including the Natal giant cycad and pepper-bark tree, which are protected species. The Black and White Mfolozi rivers cordon off the southern parts of the reserve, while the Hluhluwe River originates in the north. Damage to the riverine forests caused by Cyclone Demoina in 1984 destroyed many old trees, but saplings have sprouted all around.

Activities

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is an ideal Big Five safari destination. Open vehicle game drives with experienced rangers are conducted in the mornings and late afternoons, and night drives are also available for those overnighting in the park. Supervised walks are also offered, and self-guided foot trails can be explored independently. In addition to game drives and hikes, hides allow visitors to view plentiful wildlife at waterholes and pans. Several picnic sites in the area have braai facilities — ideal for a bush picnic while enjoying the scenery.

The park is one of the few places where guests can experience activities encompassing rhino conservation first-hand. The Centenary Center, in the iMfolozi section, is open to the public and depicts via video and display the history of game capture. Visitors should also keep an eye on the sky — not only for attractive birding opportunities but because animals such as rhino are regularly transported via helicopter to and from various sections of the park.