​User Reviews – Hluhluwe-iMfolozi GR

Sort By: Date Most Helpful 11-20 of 47 Reviews
Franny   –  
United States US
Visited: September 2016 Reviewed: Dec 5, 2016

Email Franny

Fabulous scenery. The Big Five in abundance plus wild African dogs.
Overall rating
5/5

I spent two weeks in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve volunteering with the biennial herbivore census through Earthwatch.org. I was trained in how to use a GPS, range finder and compass. For two straight weeks, I spent each morning, dawn till about 10:30 am, hiking through the bush alone accompanied by just one ranger with a big gun. I came within a few meters of lions, a leopard, elephants, both white and black rhino, cape buffalo, zebra and a wide range of other ungulates. The scenery is fantastic. There were many birds but I am not a birder so cannot comment on this. I slept in a tent to the sounds of lions and hyenas. I got to know Zulu rangers and workers despite our limited understanding of each other's language.This opportunity does require that you be in good enough shape to hike up to 9 or 10 miles a day at about 2.5 miles an hour plus be strong enough to get into a tree quickly with a boost from the ranger. I am 68 and a woman and was able to do this trip easily, including getting into a tree. However, I did work out for months in preparation for the trip. Well worth the effort.

amanderson2   –  
United States US
Visited: June 2016 Reviewed: Nov 2, 2016

Email amanderson2  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Overall rating
5/5

The park is amazing for Rhinos. I also saw Wild Dogs and Secretary Birds which I had not seen in other parks. The accommodation in the private chalets in Hilltop is outstanding, large and spacious and even comes with a breakfast buffet in the restaurant which has amazing views.

Justin   –  
United Kingdom UK
Visited: June 2016 Reviewed: Aug 28, 2016

Email Justin  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Abundance of wildlife and good location
Overall rating
5/5

With a good motorway from Durban, we found the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve to be a good safari destination with hills and valleys making for some variety in the scenery. We saw an abundance of wildlife. Our highlight was seeing and photographing lions in close proximity on both days we were there. We also saw elephant, white rhino, zebra, blue wildebeest, buffalo, warthog, nyala, kudu, impala and a variety of birds. The facilities were good and the staff friendly. Generally, it was an all-round pleasant experience. We also found the location handy, as it’s a relatively short drive to Lake St Lucia for coastal wildlife.

zapiture   –  
South Africa ZA
Visited: July 2016 Reviewed: Aug 7, 2016

Email zapiture  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Overall rating
5/5

This is the epicenter of Dr Ian Player's save the Rhino project.

Joshua   –  
United States US
Visited: July 2016 Reviewed: Aug 5, 2016

Email Joshua

Overall rating
5/5

Again, easy to access. The tented camp at Mpila was GREAT. Stay there. For a few nights if you can.

Geoff   –  
United States US
Visited: August 2015 Reviewed: Mar 1, 2016

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Overall rating
5/5

Since it's nature a lot of this comes down to luck but on our one morning here we saw a fresh buffalo kill with over a dozen lions feeding on it, and no less than eight rhinos, some with young calves. The atmospherics are a big different than Kruger as it's more green and there's less brush.

Scott   –  
United States US
Visited: October 2015 Reviewed: Jan 31, 2016

Email Scott  |  35-50 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Wish we had more time
Overall rating
5/5

My wife and I visited Hluhluwe-iMfolozi as a day-trip during our stay at another game reserve. We wish we had taken more time to explore this park. It was massive and had so many opportunities for great wildlife viewing, we felt like we barely scratched the surface. One of our favorite spots was a hide built above a watering hole. We were able to watch a troop of baboons try to defend the spot from some nyala. The views from the roads and paths were truly breathtaking. We will be sure to give Hluhluwe-iMfolozi much more time next time we visit South Africa!

Michael Jansen   –  
Germany DE
Visited: November 2012 Reviewed: Dec 20, 2015

Email Michael Jansen  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: first safari

Brilliant first safari impressions
Overall rating
5/5

Our safari at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve was the first safari we took part in.
We saw three of the big five, namely the buffalos, the majestic elephants and a lot of white rhinos. Sadly we did not encouter any predators, but that is nature. The beautiful and hilly landscape more than a compensation for that.
Our tour began at 6 am, so we experienced the south african sunrise over the hills of the park. What a beautiful scenery, a breathtaking sight.
Our ranger, a guide from the UK, did a great job explaining the diversity of animals and flowers of this park to us and provided invaluable background information. After four informative hours later the safari ended. It has added many new experiences and enriched our lives.

Kate   –  
United States US
Visited: August 2015 Reviewed: Sep 14, 2015

Email Kate  |  20-35 years of age  |  Experience level: 2-5 safaris

Overall rating
5/5

We saw several prides of lions munching on a fresh kill, what more could we have hoped for!? I guess that might sway my opinion a little bit.

Caroline   –  
South Africa ZA
Visited: April 2015 Reviewed: Aug 19, 2015

Email Caroline  |  50-65 years of age  |  Experience level: over 5 safaris

Overall rating
5/5

This is a wonderful park that I visit often. I always stay in park accommodation and although the camps vary in quality (love Nselweni) being in the park is the best. The tar roads are pretty bad with potholes but they are presently repairing them. The other roads are fine. The game viewing is generally good and I enjoy being able to use my own vehicle.

Average User Rating

  • 4.4/5
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star 47
  • 4 star 36
  • 3 star 10
  • 2 star 1
  • 1 star 0
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