Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve

The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Reserve is the oldest in South Africa and on the entire African continent - it was established in 1895. It was founded because the area's natural abundance of wildlife quickly diminished due to intensive hunting. Hunting escalated when the 'great white hunters' arrived, but it was happening in this area well before that. The Zulu warriors used to dig massive pitfall traps into capturing large numbers of animals along their natural migratory routes. The site is also known for the ancient African tribes that had the knowledge to work metal. Metal tools were made for hunting and farming.

This reserve is probably best known for "Operation Rhino," which was pivotal in saving the white and black rhinos from extinction. The project went so well that the white rhinoceros was removed from the IUCN's Red Data Book of threatened species. This project has restocked more than 3 500 white rhinos to areas where they had become locally extinct. A big problem in the area was the tsetse fly and malaria mosquito, which was thought to eradicate by clearing the area of animals. This occurred to such an extent that the wildebeest and zebra were eliminated around the 1950s. The iMfolozi junction was de-proclaimed as a reserve to enable the use of DDT to fight the tsetse fly and malaria mosquito. It ended in the 1960s, and since then, all wildlife has been very well protected.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is one of the classic Big Five reserves. It is also one of the few places where the white and black rhinos can still be seen. It is easier to find the white rhino than the more elusive black rhino that browses in dense thickets. Giraffes and Burchell's zebra are pretty common, as are Cape buffalo. To find elephants and the big cats may be a bit more of a challenge, but they are certainly there. The elephants migrate throughout the park. Cheetahs and lions are occasionally spotted, and there are also rare leopard sightings. Opt for a night drive to improve your chances of seeing leopards or wild dogs.

On a night drive, you may also enjoy a chance encounter with hippos out of the water, as, during the day, you may only sneak a peek at the top of its head and back as it wallows in the waterways. The park is home to large populations of blue wildebeest, impala, kudu, and waterbuck. Rare species that attract enthusiasts are the samango monkey that inhabits the thick forests and the graceful nyala antelope. Birding is excellent, as the park has several bird hides that enthusiastic bird watchers. From Hilltop Camp, many raptors may be seen soaring over the landscape. With more than 340 species recorded, there will undoubtedly be some species even the most committed birders have yet to encounter. Some rare species included the brown-headed parrot, narina trogon, white-fronted bee-eater, and lanner falcon.

Before the parks merged in 1989, the division hindered animals from using what would've been a natural corridor between the grasslands and the forests as the seasons changed. Today they are free to roam where they please, and the natural ecosystem is blossoming. An estimated 1 200 plant species can be found in the region, which includes the Natal giant cycad and pepper bark tree, which are protected species. The Black and White Mfolozi rivers cordon off the Southern parts of the reserve, while the Hluhluwe River originates in the north. Damage to the riverine forests caused by cyclone Demoina in 1984 destroyed many old trees, but saplings have sprouted all around.