Hluhluwe is considered to be the hub of tourism in KwaZulu-Natal. This charming town on the banks of the Hluhluwe River has tourism as its principal industry, as it acts as a perfect base for visitors to the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve and St Lucia Wetlands area.
The town is named after the thorny rope climber (Dalbergia Armata) which is found among the forest vegetation types in Hluhluwe Game Reserve. The Zulu name for this plant is umHluhluwe.
The intesive agricultural of timber, sugar and pineapples in the area has the town as its centre. Hluhluwe produces over 90% of South Africa's queen pineapples. Other agricultural crops include sugar cane, sisal, cotton, tomatoes and chillies.
The Hluhluwe - Imfolozi Game Park is acclaimed internationally for its conservation efforts. 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.
The park is also home to the largest population of the southern white rhino largely due to the successful conservation drive which ensured that extinction was averted.
Criss-crossing the park are many small rivers and streams which are tributaries of the Hluhluwe and the Black and White Imfolozi.
Weekend wilderness trails are popular where up to 12 people are accompanied by an experienced ranger. Hikes are approximately 12 to 15kms each day exploring different aspects of bush life.
There are more than 300 species of birds to be found here, fish eagle, kingfishers, herons, ox-pecker and vultures to name but a few.
Activities:
Hluhluwe/Imfolozi Game Reserve
Formely separate, the combined size of the two reserve is now over 90 000ha, and it was here that the white rhino was saved from extinction by the Kwazulu-Natal Nature Conservation Service.
Thembalethu Craft Village
A community driven employment project. Experience first hand the unique art of the beautiful Zulu beer basketm weaving, beadwork, woodcarving, and other craft used in the daily lives of Zulu people.
Hluhluwe Activities
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