The wide range of plant life in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve gives rise to a diversity of mammals, birdlife, reptiles and amphibians.

Wildlife & Birds

Its abundance of wildlife include:
Nile crocodile, hippo, white and black rhino, leopard, lion, cheetah, hyena, elephant, buffalo, blue wildebeest, jackal, giraffe, zebra, waterbuck, nyala, eland, kudu, impala, duiker, suni, reedbuck, warthog, bushpig, mongoose, baboons, monkeys, a variety of tortoises, terrapins, snakes and lizards.

The Big Five - lion, rhino (back & white), elephant, buffalo and leopard - are all to be seen.

In excess of 300 species of birds have been recorded - fish eagle, kingfishers, herons, ox-pecker and vultures to name but a few. The variety of habitats within the area is one of the prime reasons why it is one of the prime birding destinations in South Africa.

The Hluhluwe River Flood Plain is one of the only areas in the whole of South Africa where Yellow throated, Pink throated and Orange throated Long claw species can be seen together.

Conservation

The Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve is acclaimed internationally for its conservation efforts. The park is home to the largest population of the southern white rhino largely due to the successful conservation drive which ensured that extinction was averted.

Rhinos can be viewed on self-drives, game drives on open 4x4's and boat cruises as well as self-guided walks. There are a number of picnic sites and self-guided walks providing magnificent views.

Wilderness trails, such as the The Base Camp Trail or Short Wilderness Trail, 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.