Hluhluwe Game Reserve Things to Do Tips by MikeAtSea

Self Drive Safari

One can visit the game park on its own, either as a day visit or to stay inside the reserve. There are entrance gates close to Hluhluwe, to Mutbatuba.
The recommended route from the north or south is to turn off the N2 at Hluhluwe village and follow the tarred road to Memorial Gate.
An alternative route is to turn off the N2 at Mtubatuba on to the R618 and proceed towards Hlabisa and travel for 27 kms to Nyalazi Gate.
Gate Opening and Closing Times:
Summer(November to February ) 05h00 to 19h00
Winter ( March to October ) 06h00 to 18h00

General Game - Velvet Monkey

Velvet Monkeys are also found in groups in many parts of the park. Remember if you are in the camp or anywhere else in the park outside your vehicle do not feed them – they become a pest and need to be shot thereafter!

General Game - Baboons

Baboons are always in large groups and with a complete family hierarchy. Watch how the group will mingle around but one or sometimes more animals are on a lookout to watch for danger!

Birds - Blacksmith Plover

The Blacksmith Plover is a tiny black and white bird – and even though it is so tiny it makes a massive noise, just like if you would be in a blacksmith’s workshop! If you discover the bird you will realize why and how it got its name…!

Birds - Goliath Heron

The Goliath Heron is the largest of the herons in Southern Africa and found standing in water or close to the waters edge fishing. A beautiful bird also in flight!

Big 5 - Leopard

Leopard or other cat sightings are rare in Hluhluwe – and during my 200 or so visits to the game reserve I probably only have seen leopard three times there. Yet there are plenty of them around – but well hidden in the dense vegetation of the park!

Big 5 - Buffalo

Buffalo’s either are in big groups of sometimes up to a hundred animals or the occasional stray single bull that has been chased out of the herd. Sightings of buffalo are quiet often in Hluhluwe.

General Game - Warthogs

This cute animal is day active and can be found almost everywhere in the park. If it runs off have a look at its tail, since it raises like an arial to indicated to the off spring where the parents are chasing to.

General Game - Hippo

Found in water during the day time and very seldom outside, since their skin is very sensitive against sun. However during the night time they roam around grazing. If you are around on foot where hippos are found be careful since they are responsible for most of the casualties of any game in Africa.

General Game - Impala

This it the most common antelope in Hluhluwe and one will see hundreds of them. Due to the fact that most of them are used to vehicles they appear tame since the smell of cars do not pose a threat to them, on foot they will re-act differently though.