Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is Africa's oldest proclaimed nature reserve, established in 1895 to protect the last white rhino population on earth. Today it supports both white and black rhino alongside elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, wild dog, and cheetah — the full set, in a compact park that rewards those who take their time.
The park covers 96,000 hectares of rolling savannah and thornbush, divided into two sections: Hluhluwe in the north is greener and more heavily forested; iMfolozi in the south is more open, good for big cat sightings and the dramatic Wilderness Trails — multi-day walks on foot through the reserve without vehicles or fences. These trails are among the most authentic wildlife experiences available anywhere.
Self-drive is straightforward, and the roads are varied enough to stay interesting over several days. Game drives with guides are available from the main camps. The combination of accessibility from Durban (about 3 hours' drive) and the genuine density of wildlife makes this an obvious base for anyone visiting KwaZulu-Natal without the budget for a private reserve.