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Elephants in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, photographed from Highway 618 photo by A. J. T. Johnsingh –

Top 10 Facts about Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Nature Reserve

Is there anything more stunning than a scene from nature in the African Bush, with newborn elephants splashing in the water and the King of the Jungle relaxing in the sun? A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe and enjoy South Africa’s bush creatures in their native habitat is provided by the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Nature Reserve.

Hilltop Resort is the pride of the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park. The Resort is situated on the edge of a forested hill and offers fine views of the surrounding countryside. The park is a three-hour drive north from Durban via the N2 and offers fine views of the surrounding countryside.

The park is world-renowned for its conservation efforts and history. The park has a distinct topography, an abundance of the Big 5, and significant cultural history.

Here are the top 10 facts about the nature reserve.

1.  The Reserve is located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal

On South Africa’s east coast, in the KwaZulu-Natal province, is where the park is situated. The towns of Mtubatuba, Hluhluwe, and Hlabisa are the closest to the park.

The geography of the region varies from the Hluhluwe area in the north to the Umfolozi area in the south. Part of Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is located in a low-malaria risk area.

2. The Reserve derives its name from a Zulu word

 Its name is a Zulu word for the local thorny rope plant.

3. It was a declared royal hunting ground for the Zulu

Shaka Zulu photo sourced from

There are numerous traces of stone age towns and iron smelting sites all around the park. According to legend, the region was designated a royal hunting ground for the Zulu kingdom during Shaka’s reign.

4. The Reserve is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa

A place where Royalty once roamed, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park is a breathtaking stretch of wilderness, with ancient trails weaving through thorny and mighty rivers. The land was once used as the exclusive hunting grounds of King Shaka, showcasing how the rich culture of humans and nature alike live together in this historical park.

Two game reserves were formally established in 1895 and finally unified, alongside the Corridor Reserve, in 1989 as the official Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve.

This led to the establishment of a 96 000-ha of hilly topography 280 kilometres (170 mi) north of Durban in South Africa which is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. It is the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa.

5. Its first visitor camp was built at Hilltop in 1934

The primary camp in the northern (Hluhluwe) sector of the park was established at Hilltop in 1934 and served as the initial guest camp. Mpila is the primary camp in the southern (Umfolozi) area. A 300-kilometre (190-mile) road network connects the reserve.

6. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Nature Reserve the Home of the White Rhino 

Adult White Rhinoceros photo by Vauxford –

At the establishment of the Natal Parks Board in 1947, less than 10 White Rhinos were left in the wild. These Rhinos were located in the Umfolozi region.

With the establishment of Operation Rhino, many rhinos were transferred to different wildlife parks in the country, which resulted in almost 90% of the world鈥檚 rhino population being situated in SA.

Due to this, the genetic lines of all white rhinos in the world can be traced back to the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park.  There are reportedly 1,600 white rhinos in the reserve.

7. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Nature Reserve is the birthplace of rhino preservation

During the late 1940s, rhino poaching hit an alarming rate, with less than 100 White Rhinos left in existence. A great conservation effort, called 鈥淥peration Rhino鈥� was established.

Safe breeding projects were launched, as well as the safe relocation of White Rhinos throughout game parks in Africa was executed, to ensure the conservation of this mighty animal. This project has since been established as one of the largest conservation projects.

It grew from strength to strength, helping the white rhino population grow to more than 17 000 and helping this species move from the UCN鈥檚 Red Data Book of threatened species.

Due to the park’s role in bringing the southern white rhinoceros back from the brink of extinction in the early half of the 20th century, it is regarded as the cradle of rhino preservation.

With 222 rhinos poached throughout the province in 2017, the majority of them in the park, rhino poaching in both the park and elsewhere continues to pose a danger to the rhino population after an infrared camera immediately alerted the operations centre, providing the number of people, grid reference, and direction of the intrusion.

On March 6, 2020, two of the three suspected rhino poachers were killed in a gunfight. Smart Park, which was installed in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, makes it possible to integrate systems, including drone technology, for early detection and quick reaction from reaction units.

8. The Reserve has a diverse flora and fauna community

A pair of young female nyala Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve photo by A. J. T. Johnsingh –

Africa’s big five games live in the park: the elephant, black-and-white rhinoceros, Cape buffalo, lion, and leopard.

It supports 86 unique species, such as the Nile crocodile, the hippo, the cheetah, the spotted hyena, the blue wildebeest, the jackal, the giraffe, the zebra, the waterbuck, the nyala, the eland, the kudu, the impala, the duiker, the suni, the reedbuck, the common warthog, the bush pig It is one of the best places in the world to see nyala.

With 340 different bird species living there, the park is a top spot for birdwatchers. The Hluhluwe River Flood Plain is one of the only places in South Africa where yellow-throated, pink-throated, and orange-throated long claw species may coexist.

Night herons, Wahlberg’s eagles, Shelley’s francolins, black-bellied korhaans, Temminck’s coursers, Klaas’s cuckoos, small bee-eaters, and crested barbets are some of the bird species found there. The floral community in the park is diverse.

9. The Reserve is a famous spot for bird viewing

Picnicking in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Reserve photo by A. J. T. Johnsingh –

Not only is Hluhluwe-Umfolozi a great place to see wildlife and the world’s best place to see birds. Over 400 bird species can survive there thanks to its proximity to the St Lucia Wetlands’ coastal plains and the KZN interior’s foothills. About 46% of all species in Southern Africa are represented by this.

A birder’s delight, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi gives visitors the chance to see several huge species that are uncommon in other South African parks. These species include the African Grass Owl, Tawny Eagle, Pallid Harrier, Denham’s Bustard, and White-Backed Vulture.

10. It is among the best places to see the African wild dog

African wild dog (Lycaon pictus pictus) photo by Charles J. Sharp –

The African wild dog is listed as one of the continent鈥檚 most endangered large carnivores, with a global population estimated at 4000 to 6000. Also known as the painted dog due to its distinctive cream, brown and black coat, it lives in packs of five to 50 individuals that hunt collectively.

Hluhluwe鈥揢mfolozi Park is one of the few African parks where this sociable species is regularly observed. Further dogs were released into the park in 2022.