Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve — Attraction in Hlabisa Local Municipality

Internet published tel nr not working .. answered as invalid nr. numbered waypoints / posts grossly neglected ... incomplete, overgrown by vegetation, wrongly numbered i.e. not corresponding with map, partly non-existant at intersections, just left to the elements for the past 30 years .. it seems. some of the roads need more frequent care especially in rainy season. Normal sedans should be kept OUT of the park as they will just get stuck or break or cause an obstruction some of the toilets at picnic and lookout points are a hygiene disaster and asking for infections 10 x worse than covid ... absolutely terrible ... SHAME on the responsible management !!! the map and / or gate receipt needs to clearly reflect an emergency tel number during 2 days of intensive navigating the park, mainly Hluhluwe we came across NOT ONE park official doing some patrolling. vegitation alongside some of the roads is growing so uncontrolled into the pathway of a single file vehicle, that driving without scratching the vehicle becomes impossible, needless to expect a vehicle to pass from the front. the general abundance of game of 10 years ago appears to have receded alarmingly. a VERY SAD picture overall which portrays a clear sign of NO CARE NEGLECT and unless drastically turned around, the end of Africa's oldest game reserve (since 1895) ........... The only consolation is the diverse landscape and abundant bird life. ............ The rest is an embarrassment towards international visitors ... but who cares .. they are kept out of our beautiful country altogether ... so for us locals we get the message of "take it or...

The game reserve is not well maintained in terms of infrastructure, the food at hilltop is not great but it’s the only place to sit and eat.

There is security at the gates but you will not be given a map to route your trip or any guidance even if you ask, you are most likely to see 2-3 of the big 5.

Card machine to pay does not work due to most parts of the reserve not having signal carry some cash. The roads in the reserve are decent to drive with a few potholes along the way safe to use a car or mini suv with a few driving adjustments along the way.

Would suggest hiring a vehicle onsite to do your visit as the tar road ends after 40km you will have to drive on sand and gravel roads which are extremely bumpy with sharp rocks scattered, road signs are poorly shown without estimated km and not available on map applications.

If you are going by car and plan to do a self drive make sure to go via memorial gate and leave at the same gate or you will have to drive 200km to get back to tarred roads as most of the villages have sand and gravel roads. Unsafe for family travel but fine if you are a group of males. The people of the village are helpful but as always proceed with caution as you would do anywhere.

This is no Kruger park but you will enjoy the views and some of the animals going...

We really enjoyed our time in this park and Game Reserve and were absolutely pleasantly surprised. The staff at the gate were very friendly and helpful and the process of checking through and getting information was effortless. The park is one of the most beautiful and stunning places/parks in South Africa 🇿🇦 in our book, and we managed to see quite a few of the game, including buffalo, elephant, rhino, lots of different buck and antelope and also the zebra and giraffes 🦒 which we always enjoy. We entered via the North gate and out via the East gate so in the end a little rushed through the last part of the reserve and also not enough time to stop at the restaurant near the gate. We only got into the park mid morning from Nibela Lodge and also had to get back there, so I would suggest getting there early to be able to see and do everything. Well done national...