Hluhluwe-iMfolozi at a glance
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park lies north of Durban and is run by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, the provincial conservation agency. The landscape is hill country cut by river valleys. Visitors drive their own vehicle or join a guided safari and look for animals such as rhino, zebra and nyala. Wildlife is wild, so no one can promise a particular sighting on a given day.
A trip from Durban is a long one. A travel agent gives roughly 280 km and 2.5 to 3 hours on the N2 as a planning value. That is a rough guide, not a route to a specific gate, so check the entrance you want before you leave. A return day trip means five to six hours behind the wheel, which is why many people book a tour or stay a night. This page is independent and not operated by the park.
Three ways to do the park
Choose by time, budget and how much driving you want to do.
A guided day safari
An operator drives and finds the animals, and you do not handle the long road yourself. Check where the tour starts, what is included and whether park fees are part of the price.
Self-drive for the day
You pay the day fee at the gate and drive the park roads at your own pace. Start early, because the gates open at 05:00 from October to March and at 06:00 from April to September.
Stay inside the park
Overnight guests pay conservation fees as well as the accommodation price. Check-in is from 14:00 until the reception closes, and check-out is by 10:00. Staying gives you an early start without the long drive.
Our picks: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi safaris
Two day safaris from Durban, both with pickup and park entrance included.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi and iSimangaliso day tour
A guide, entrance fees and hotel pickup and return are included. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are not.
Check availability →
Hluhluwe Big Five safari with binoculars
Pickup and return, entrance fees, a water bottle, binoculars and species identification books are included. Lunch and tips are extra.
Check availability →Safaris to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi from Durban
Guided safari days to the park, with live prices and availability.
Fees and gate times
From the Ezemvelo tariff for 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2026. Prices per person per day.
| Visitor | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate, day visit | R320 | R160 |
| SA and SADC residents with ID or passport | R160 | R80 |
| Overnight guests, standard rate (tariff introduction) | R300 | R150 |
| Overnight guests, SA and SADC discount (tariff introduction) | R150 | – |
The tariff gives two sets of numbers, one in its introduction and one in its table, so the amount charged at the gate can differ from the figures above. The community levy is included in the fee, and overnight guests pay conservation fees too. The tariff period ends on 31 October 2026, so confirm the current rate when you book or arrive.
| Months | General gate hours |
|---|---|
| October to March | 05:00–19:00 |
| April to September | 06:00–18:00 |
Plan to be out of the park before closing time. Individual gates or roads can close for other reasons, so check before you leave.
Planning the visit
Gates open early for a reason, and an early start gives you the longest day, but nothing is guaranteed. Keep your distance from all animals and follow the park rules and the signs. Bring water and a hat, and fuel up before you enter.
The longer the day, the more it matters when you leave. Look at the gate times for the month you travel and work back from closing time. If you want a second park on the same trip, St Lucia lies in the same direction and can be planned with a night in between. For a shorter trip close to the city, see the Valley of 1000 Hills page, where a private park offers game drives of about one hour.
A short alternative near Durban
If the full drive north is too much, a private game park lies about 35 km from the centre.
| Detail | Private park in Botha's Hill |
|---|---|
| Game drive | About 1 hour, minimum two people, weather dependent |
| Price, 2026 | R320 per adult, R220 per child under twelve |
| Departures | 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:30, 13:30, 14:30 and 15:30 |
| Opening hours | Daily 08:00–16:30 |
This is a private park and a different product from a Hluhluwe-iMfolozi safari. The operator excludes babies under six months, women in the third trimester of pregnancy and frail people from the game drives because of the terrain. Seats go in order of booking.
Plan the rest of your trip
Other parts of the region and the practical pages.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi: frequently asked questions
How far is Hluhluwe-iMfolozi from Durban?
A travel agent gives roughly 280 km and 2.5 to 3 hours by road on the N2. Treat that as a planning value and check the route to your chosen gate.
Can I do it as a day trip?
Yes, with a long day. The drive alone is five to six hours return. A guided tour or a night in the park makes it easier.
How much is the entry?
The 2025/26 tariff lists R320 per adult and R160 per child per day at the standard rate, and R160 and R80 for SA and SADC residents with ID. The period ends on 31 October 2026.
When do the gates open?
The general rule is 05:00 to 19:00 from October to March and 06:00 to 18:00 from April to September. Check for closures before you set off.
Will I see the Big Five?
No one can promise that. Animals move freely, and what you see depends on the day, the weather and your luck. Plan for the experience of the park rather than a checklist.
What time are check-in and check-out in the park?
Check-in is from 14:00 until the reception closes, and check-out is at 10:00. Overnight guests also pay conservation fees.