2 Day Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Safari Itinerary

Day 1 – Durban or Richards Bay to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park

Your 2 Day Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Safari begins with collection from your accommodation, cruise ship terminal, guest house, B&B or agreed pickup point in Durban, Richards Bay or surrounding areas.

Pickup times may vary depending on your location, but Durban departures are usually early in the morning to allow enough time to travel north and enjoy the safari experience.

From Durban, the drive to the Hluhluwe area usually takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and pickup location. During the journey, your guide will share information about Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, local history, the Zulu nation and the landscapes we pass through.

Guests are welcome to ask questions during the drive, making the journey part of the overall safari experience.

Optional Cat Rehabilitation Centre Visit

Before entering Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, guests may have the option to visit a cat rehabilitation centre near Hluhluwe.

This optional stop gives guests the opportunity to learn more about African wild cat species such as cheetah, serval, caracal and African wild cat.

This visit is subject to availability and timing, and the entrance fee is for the guest’s own account.

Because this is a shorter 2 day safari, guests may prefer to go directly into Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park to maximise time looking for wildlife.

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Game Reserve Safari

After the optional cat rehabilitation centre visit, or if guests prefer to go straight to the reserve, we continue to Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park.

Game viewing begins as soon as we enter the reserve.

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi is one of South Africa’s most respected game reserves. It is known for its rolling hills, beautiful views, excellent wildlife and its important contribution to white rhino conservation.

During the game drive, your guide will help search for wildlife and explain more about the animals, their behaviour, tracks, habitats and the reserve itself.

Possible sightings include rhino, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, nyala, warthog, baboon, monkeys and many species of birds. Lion and leopard also occur in the reserve, although sightings are never guaranteed because this is a natural wildlife area.

Afternoon Game Drive

After lunch, guests continue with an afternoon safari drive.

The included game drive is done in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with your Tim Brown Tours guide. Windows are opened where possible for photography and wildlife viewing.

Guests who prefer an open safari vehicle experience may choose to book an optional open vehicle game drive, which is for the guest’s own account and subject to availability.

After the afternoon safari, we make our way to the safari lodge accommodation near Hluhluwe for dinner and overnight.

Day 2 – Morning Safari, St Lucia & iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Day 2 begins with an early morning safari in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park.

We usually depart the lodge early in the morning, around 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM, depending on the season, weather and gate times. Early morning is often one of the best times for game viewing, as many animals are more active before the heat of the day.

Guests can enjoy the included closed-vehicle safari drive with their guide. This is done in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, with windows opened where possible for photography and wildlife viewing.

Guests may also choose to join an optional open vehicle game drive, which is for their own account and subject to availability.

Depending on the day’s plan, a packed breakfast may be arranged so that guests can maximise time inside Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. Alternatively, breakfast may be served back at the lodge before check-out.

After the morning safari and breakfast arrangements, we check out and travel towards St Lucia and iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

St Lucia & iSimangaliso Wetland Park

St Lucia is one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most popular nature destinations and forms part of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This area offers a very different wildlife experience from Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. Instead of Big 5 bushveld, guests experience wetlands, estuary scenery, hippos, crocodiles, birdlife and coastal vegetation.

The combination of Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park and St Lucia makes this 2 day safari a wonderful short wildlife escape from Durban or Richards Bay.

St Lucia Boat Cruise

Weather permitting, guests enjoy a 2-hour boat cruise on the St Lucia estuary.

This is often one of the highlights of the tour. It gives guests the chance to view hippos, crocodiles and birdlife from the water in a relaxed and scenic setting.

If weather conditions do not allow for the boat cruise, an alternative activity such as a walk along the estuary boardwalk may be arranged where possible.

After the St Lucia experience, we stop for a light lunch. Lunch is for the guest’s own account.

We then depart for Durban, with arrival usually in the early evening. Arrival time may vary depending on traffic, weather, boat cruise timing and the day’s schedule.

Safari Overview

KwaZulu-Natal is one of the best places in South Africa to enjoy a safari from Durban or Richards Bay. Within approximately 2.5 to 3 hours from Durban, guests can reach Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park, one of Africa’s oldest protected wildlife reserves and one of South Africa’s most important rhino conservation areas.

This 2 Day Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Safari gives guests more time in the reserve than a single day safari. By staying overnight near Hluhluwe, guests can enjoy an afternoon safari on Day 1 and an early morning safari on Day 2, which is often one of the best times for wildlife viewing. Would you like an extra day? Why not try our 3 day safari from Durban.

Your included safari drives are conducted in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with your Tim Brown Tours guide. Where possible, windows are opened for photography and wildlife viewing, giving guests a good balance between comfort and the opportunity to enjoy the sights, sounds and atmosphere of the reserve.

Guests who would like a traditional open safari vehicle experience can also book optional open vehicle game drives. These are for the guest’s own account and subject to availability.

On Day 2, the tour continues to St Lucia and iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. This adds a different wildlife experience to the safari, with wetlands, estuary scenery, hippos, crocodiles and excellent birdlife.

Why Go on Safari with an Experienced Guide?

A safari is always more rewarding when you travel with an experienced guide who understands the reserve, the roads and animal behaviour.

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park is a large natural wildlife area, and animals move constantly throughout the day. An experienced guide knows how to read the bush, look for tracks and signs, understand animal behaviour and choose the best areas to search depending on the time of day, weather and recent sightings.

Travelling with a professional guide also makes the experience safer and more relaxed. Your guide understands how to behave around wild animals, when to keep a safe distance and how to position the vehicle responsibly for viewing and photography.

This allows guests to relax and enjoy the safari, knowing they are with someone who has local knowledge, experience and a genuine passion for wildlife.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided at a safari lodge approximately 20 minutes from Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park.

The lodge offers a comfortable base for the safari and allows guests to stay close to the reserve, making it easier to enjoy early morning and afternoon safari activities.

Breakfast and dinner are served at the lodge. On early safari mornings, packed breakfasts may be arranged so that guests can spend more time inside Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park.

Please note that safari lodges and bush accommodation are different from city hotels, click the text to visit our Blog post on the differences between them. The main appeal is the natural setting, wildlife, atmosphere and location. Guests should expect a relaxed bush lodge experience rather than a city-style hotel environment.

Wildlife You May See

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park and the surrounding region are home to a wide variety of wildlife.

Possible sightings include:

• Rhino
• Elephant
• Buffalo
• Lion
• Leopard
• Giraffe
• Zebra
• Wildebeest
• Nyala
• Impala
• Warthog
• Hyena
• Monkeys
• Baboons
• Hippos
• Crocodiles
• Excellent birdlife

Please remember that all wildlife sightings take place in a natural environment. No specific animal sighting can ever be guaranteed.

Your guide will always do their best to give you the best possible safari experience, but wildlife moves freely and sightings depend on nature, weather, animal movement and timing.

About Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park is one of South Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves and is widely known for its history, Big 5 wildlife and rhino conservation.

The reserve covers approximately 96,000 hectares and is one of the oldest proclaimed protected areas in Africa. It played a major role in the conservation of the southern white rhino, helping bring the species back from the brink of extinction.

Today, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park remains one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most important safari destinations and is a favourite choice for guests wanting a Big 5 safari from Durban or Richards Bay.

About St Lucia & iSimangaliso Wetland Park

iSimangaliso Wetland Park is South Africa’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most unique natural areas in KwaZulu-Natal.

The St Lucia estuary is famous for hippos, crocodiles, birdlife and beautiful wetland scenery. The 2-hour boat cruise gives guests a relaxed and memorable way to experience this incredible environment.

The name iSimangaliso means “miracle and wonder”, which suits the area perfectly. It combines wetlands, lakes, coastal forests, beaches, wildlife and rich biodiversity in one remarkable region.

Optional Extras

Optional extras may include:

• Cat rehabilitation centre visit
• Open vehicle game drives
• Additional activities depending on availability and timing

Optional extras are for the guest’s own account and should be discussed before or during the tour.

Why Book with Tim Brown Tours?

Tim Brown Tours is a specialist Durban safari and tour company based in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

With over 20 years of safari guiding experience, Tim Brown Tours understands what guests are looking for when booking a safari from Durban or Richards Bay: good planning, honest advice, comfortable transport, local knowledge and a memorable wildlife experience.

An experienced guide also helps make the safari safer and more rewarding by understanding animal behaviour, reading the bush and knowing where to look for wildlife. This local knowledge can make a big difference to the quality of your safari, especially in a large natural reserve such as Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park. 

If you are on a “Budget” check out our Budget 3 day safari from Durban by clicking the text.

When booking this 2 day safari, guests benefit from:

• Over 20 years of safari guiding experience
• Tim Brown Tours operating since 2010
• Local KwaZulu-Natal knowledge
• Professional and experienced guides
• Comfortable air-conditioned transport
• Personalised service
• Carefully planned safari itineraries
• Experience guiding international travellers
• A strong focus on wildlife, conservation and guest experience

This safari is ideal for couples, families, small groups, cruise ship passengers and international travellers wanting a professionally guided Big 5 safari from Durban or Richards Bay. If you have limited time check out our itinerary for our Hluhluwe–iMfolozi 1 Day Safari from Durban. 

Frequently Asked Questions