Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park South Africa

The Hluhluwe and Umfolozi reserves were founded in 1895 and are the oldest such sanctuaries in South Africa. It was here that the world- acclaimed Operation Rhino was introduced during the 1960s, successfully capturing and relocating white rhino to havens within South Africa and abroad. As a result, this country's white rhino population is now 12 times the 1960 count of 500. Today a single park, Hluhluwe Umfolozi is focusing its efforts on saving the endangered black rhino, whose number in Africa has dwindled from 14 000 to a pitiful 2 550 in the past decade. You'll find at least a fifth of the world's black and white rhino population here.

Hilltop camp in Hluhluwe This park is located in central Zululand. From the north, leave the N2 at the Hluhluwe off-ramp. At the stop street turn right and cross over the freeway, follow this tar road for about 14 Km to the memorial gate, the northern entrance to the reserve.

Coming from the south, cross the bridge over the Umfolozi river on the main north coast road (N2), and take the Umfolozi Game Reserve turnoff, 3km north of the Mtubatuba turnoff. From the north the signboard is opposite the Mtubatuba turn off on the right. Take the tarred Nongoma road for 27km, before turning off left to the Nyalazi gate. Follow the signposts to Umfolozi. The reserve may also be approached from Vryheid, either via Nongoma and Hlabisa, (but most of the route is gravel), or via the tarred road to Ulundi, then take the gravel road to the Cengeni gate, which is 24km from Mpila Camp.

Besides the big five - Rhino, Elephant, Leopard, Lion And Buffalo, There is an astonishing variety of wildlife to ensure a fascinating encounter for the visitor.

KZN Wildlife offers lodge or self-catering accommodation at Mtwazi, Hilltop, Muntulu and Munyawaneni in the Hluhluwe section of the park. In the Umfolozi section accommodation is provided at Masinda,Mpila, Sontuli, Nselweni, Gqoyeni, Hlathikhulu, Mpila, Sontuli, Nselweni,Gqoyeni and Hlathikhulu camps.

game in Hluhluwe Park Set in the heart of Zululand, the oldest game reserve in Africa where Zulu kings such as Dingiswayo and Shaka hunted and put in place the first conservation laws, where today the "big five" of African legend stalk the verdant savannah. Established in 1895 game viewing is the prime attraction. Viewing hides overlook pans and waterholes enabling visitors to see animals at close range.

As the home of Operation Rhino in the 1950s and 60s, the Park became world renowned for its white rhino conservation. Other areas of focus for which Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park is famed include wilderness trails which originated in Umfolozi in the 1950s and its renowned Game Capture unit recently upgraded into the Centenary Capture Centre, a bench mark for animal capture and sustainable utilization throughout Africa.

The Park covers some 96 000 ha and contains an immense diversity of fauna and flora. Hluhluwe is characterised by hilly topography, and this northern section of the park is noted for its wide variety of both bird and animal life.
Apart from game-viewing drives, there are two self-guided auto trails which provide information on both the management and natural history of the reserve.
Guided walks are also available, particularly rewarding in the early morning and late afternoon.

There is a 40 seater boat on Hluhluwe dam which takes visitors on guided trips twice a day. The trips are conducted by an experienced community guide and visitors can see an excellent range of birds and animals within the park while the Zulu culture is covered in the community areas outside.

Historical and Cultural Attractions in Hluhluwe

Dumazulu Traditional Village
This is a (commercial) traditional Zulu village. The residents of the umuzi (homestead or village), form part of the living museum. Daily, they carry out age- old manufacturing traditions and perform dance routines for visitors. Dumazulu means 'Thunder of Heaven'.
Telephone: (035) 562 2260
Ilala Weavers
Traditional Zulu baskets and other handcrafts.
Telephone: (035) 562 0630/1
E-mail: ilala@iafrica.com
http://www.ilala.co.za

Enquiry for Hluhluwe Game Reserve

KZN Wildlife Enquiry for Hluhluwe Game Reserve

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