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Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve is Africa's two oldest game reserves and together with the linking Corridor Reserve it makes up 960 sq. km. (96,000 ha) of hilly topografy known for its rich wildlife.
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Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve, located 280 km north of Durban, is the oldest proclaimed park in Africa. It is located in central Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, and is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. The park is the only state-run park in KwaZulu-Natal where all the Big Five occur. Due to conservation efforts, the park now has the largest population of white rhino in the world (more than 1,600). It is also home to 370 black rhino, and you are very likely to see one or both species when visiting the park.
The north of the park is rugged and mountainous with forests and grasslands, while the south and west is with open savannah. The park is incredible scenic with rippling hills covered in low acacia bush, and lofty viewpoints giving a bird's eye view of the immense diversity of fauna and flora.
Apart from open vehicle game viewing drives with a knowledgeable guide, there are also two self guided auto trails for those wishing to self drive themselves around the park. There are a number of picnic sites and several self guided foot trails. Short day walks of approximately two hours are conducted from Mpila and Hilltop Camps under supervision of an experienced field ranger. These walks may be booked at reception in both camps. Extended several day hikes are undertaken in the southern Umfolozi part of the park and are available from mid-March to mid-December.
There is a 40 seater boat on the Hlulluwe Dam which takes visitors on guided tours 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.
A variety of accommodation options exist within the park and in close vicinity to the game reserve with the town of Hluhluwe only 25 km away.
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