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Hluhluwe Safari & Game Drives from ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe
Explore one of South Africa’s most celebrated wildlife destinations with a guided safari into Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe is just 17 km from Memorial Gate, giving you an easy base for morning, afternoon and full-day game drives, with collection directly from the hotel.
Choose between shared and private safari experiences and let our in-house safari team take care of the journey into the park.
Safari from Your Hotel into Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
One of the biggest advantages of staying at ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe is how easily you can combine your accommodation and safari experience.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park’s Memorial Gate is approximately 17 km from the hotel, so there is less time spent travelling before your safari begins. Our own safari team collects guests directly from the hotel and guides each drive in an open safari vehicle.
Whether this is your first African safari or another stop on a longer South African journey, you can choose the experience that best suits your itinerary, from a shorter morning or afternoon game drive to a longer full-day safari.
Choose Your Hluhluwe Safari
Full Day Safari
Spend more time exploring Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park with a guided safari departing at 06h00 and returning at approximately 13h00.
A longer safari allows more time to travel through different areas of the reserve, enjoy changing landscapes and search for wildlife with the help of an experienced guide.
Full-day safaris are available as either a shared experience or a private vehicle.
Morning Safari
Start your day in the African bush with an early game drive from 06h00 to approximately 09h30.
Morning safaris are ideal for travellers who want to experience the park while still leaving the rest of the day open for relaxing at the hotel or exploring more of Zululand.
Light refreshments are included on morning drives.
Afternoon Safari
An afternoon safari offers another perspective on the reserve as the temperature and light begin to change later in the day.
Afternoon drives run from approximately:
- April to September: 14h00 to 17h00
- October to March: 15h00 to 18h00
Light refreshments are included.
Private Hluhluwe Safari
Prefer the vehicle to yourself?
Private safaris are available for groups of up to 10 guests and give families, couples and groups their own vehicle and guide.
They are particularly useful for travellers who would like a more private safari experience or families travelling with younger children. Unlike shared safaris, there is no minimum age on the private safari option
Discover Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is one of South Africa’s most historically important wildlife reserves and is particularly well known for its role in rhino conservation.
The protected areas that make up the park date back to 1895, and the reserve played an important role in conservation efforts that helped recover southern white rhino populations. Today, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi is home to both black and white rhino, as well as lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo.
The reserve combines different landscapes, from the more hilly and forested Hluhluwe section in the north to the more open terrain of iMfolozi in the south. This variety creates habitat for a wide range of wildlife and birdlife.
Wildlife sightings are always unpredictable, which is part of the experience. A guided safari gives you the benefit of travelling with someone who understands the park, its roads, habitats and animal behaviour.
When Is the Best Time for a Hluhluwe Safari?
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi can be visited throughout the year, but each season offers something different.
The drier months from around May to September are generally considered particularly good for wildlife viewing. Vegetation becomes thinner and animals may gather around water sources, which can make them easier to spot.
From October into the warmer summer months, the reserve becomes greener and more lush. These months can be rewarding for travellers interested in landscapes and birdlife, although thicker vegetation can sometimes make wildlife more challenging to see.
There is no single “wrong” time to visit. The best safari period depends on whether your priority is wildlife visibility, birding, scenery or fitting a safari into a wider South African holiday.
Planning Your Hluhluwe Safari
How Far Is the Park from ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe?
ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe is approximately 17 km from Memorial Gate, making it a convenient base for guided safaris into Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
Getting to Hluhluwe
Transfers can be arranged through the hotel from:
- Richards Bay Airport
- King Shaka International Airport in Durban
Transfer rates vary according to group size and are available in the current safari sheet
Conservation Fees
Park conservation fees are charged separately from your safari and are payable per person for entry into Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
Different rates apply to international visitors, SADC citizens and South African citizens.
For current conservation fees, download the latest safari sheet rather than relying on an older online rate.
What Is Included
Your guided safari includes:
- Pick-up from ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe
- Professional safari guide
- Open safari vehicle
- Bottled water
- Blankets
- Raincoats
- Light refreshments on morning and afternoon drives.
Conservation fees, meals, additional drinks, gratuities and personal purchases are not included
What You Should Bring
We recommend bringing:
- Passport, ID or other proof of identity for park entry
- Hat
- Warm layer or jacket, particularly for early starts
- Sunglasses
- Sunblock
- Binoculars
- Camera
Early-morning drives can feel considerably cooler than the middle of the day, so it is worth bringing an extra layer even when travelling during warmer months.
Stay at ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe and Safari from Your Door
Turn your game drive into a complete Zululand stay.
ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe offers a range of hotel rooms and family accommodation, allowing you to stay close to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and depart for your safari directly from the property. The hotel itself currently offers daily game drives and positions safari experiences as one of its core guest activities.
After an early safari, return to the hotel to relax, enjoy the swimming pool or settle in for the rest of your stay before exploring more of KwaZulu-Natal’s Elephant Coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book a Hluhluwe safari if I’m not staying at ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe?
Yes. Non-resident guests can book a safari with at least 24 hours’ notice, subject to availability. Hotel guests have the added convenience of being collected directly from the property and may book until 20h00 the evening before.
How far in advance should I book my Hluhluwe safari?
Safaris should be booked at least 24 hours in advance and require full prepayment to confirm the booking. During peak travel periods and school holidays, we recommend booking earlier to secure your preferred safari and departure time.
Can children go on safari in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park?
Yes. Children aged six and older can join shared safaris, while private safaris have no minimum age. Private vehicles are therefore a useful option for families travelling with younger children.
Is a guided safari better than a self-drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park?
Both offer different experiences. A self-drive gives you flexibility to explore independently, while a guided safari means you travel in an open safari vehicle with an experienced guide who knows the park, its roads, habitats and wildlife behaviour. For first-time visitors, a guided safari also removes the need to navigate the reserve yourself.
Can international guests pay for their safari in USD, GBP or EUR?
Safari rates are shown in ZAR, with estimated USD, GBP and EUR values in the downloadable safari sheet to make international trip planning easier. Foreign currency amounts are estimates because exchange rates fluctuate, and all payments are processed in South African Rand.