Hluhluwe, a small town situated at the far end of the eastern coast of KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa, right on the banks of the Hluhluwe River, is a destination with a whole lot to offer, particularly to visitors and tourists.
Popular for its national parks, cultural heritage, natural diversity, and being a major contributor to the KwaZulu-Natal tourism scene, there is a whole lot more you need to find out about this place should you be making plans to visit for those holidays.
Want to find out more? Here are some of its few attractions for you to have your eyes glued to.
Fun Things To Do In Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal
1. Pay a visit to the Big Five Safaris in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park
The Big Five Safaris Game Park, just as its name insinuates, is a park measuring a staggering mass of over 96,000 hectares, a reserve that has now turned out to be a habitat for African Big Five animals, namely lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and cheetahs.
It is one amazing destination that has now turned out to be a tourist attraction for animal lovers and enthusiasts to come to have a nice time among the three species.
What other things does happenings here?
The park is also endowed with a magnificent reserve, which can also serve as a picnic area for visitors to come and enjoy picking.
2. Enjoy the Wildlife of Hluhluwe Game Park, KwaZulu-Natal
Just like the adventure of paying a visit to the big safari aforementioned, the Hluhluwe also turns out to be a designated destination to come get up and close with wildlife, with different animal species of buffalo, white rhino, and leopard.
It is mostly advisable for you to come visit during the summer because the rain is limited and the vegetation is minimal by then. There is no better place to come and behold your sights on wild animals in their natural form than this game park.
Why you should visit?
It is the only location in the whole region at large for you to come to experience the true meaning of African wildlife than at this park.
3. Go Boating in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park
Enjoying the wildlife it has to offer aside, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi game park is also blessed with an Isimangaliso wetland made perfect for both visitors and tourists alike to come to be part of its pleasant experience of boating on its water bodies.
An adventure that would also see them getting to set their sights on species such as hippos and crocodiles, though they are also at liberty to try out other activities such as swimming and sand bathing in its restricted areas.
What other adventures do happen here?
They might as well choose to be part of its guided tours to become knowledgeable about the traditional African way of fishing, with the additional benefit of having a taste of the seasoned tilapia made by the locals in the community.
4. Enjoy the Birdlife in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park
There is no reason why you shouldn’t consider trying out this adventure finfish yourself in a game park populated by a variety of birds that are attractive and sing melodiously as well.
With over 400 different bird species at the moment and counting, both visitors and tourists alike should rest assured of the fact that they will come across their favorite species of birds in their different forms Burchell’s coucal, Crested Guinea fowl, saddle-billed, woolly-necked stork, kingfisher, bateleur, and crowned eagle.
Why should you try it out?
It is an amazing experience to be part of, catching the view of different species of birds in this African wilderness
5. Behold the Beautiful Scenery of Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Park
Still on Hluhluwe Imfoloz Game Park, it also presents its visitors with the opportunity to try something different on its landscape of wilderness area, open grassland, hilly topography, and walking trails.
All of these point in one exact direction, which is creation—the perfect scenery for them to come to enjoy some beautiful moments of sightseeing, specifically around its rivers and water bodies.
Why you should visit?
There are a whole lot of interesting spots to check out at this game park, ranging from rolling hills and valleys down to its forests and grassy plains, all of which you can enjoy at Picnic’s.
6. Pay a visit to the Zulu Croc Reptile Park, KwaZulu-Natal
The Zulu Croc Reptile Park is an animal park in South Africa offering an exciting adventure as well to try out with family and friends, most importantly as it has to do with setting their sights on different snake, crocodile, spider and iguana species.
A two-hour-long adventurous experience in which you get to be part of its guided tours of getting up and close with crocodiles and snakes, watching them get fed, and interacting with them as well.
What to expect?
Here, you get to be part of its amazing guided tours mostly revolving around crocodile feedings.
Address: R22, Hluhluwe, 3960, South Africa.
7. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Rafikis restaurant
The Rafikis restaurant house is one very direction you should be headed after you have been done with touring the Zulu Croc Reptile Park, as it is just a stone’s throw away from that tourist attraction.
What to expect?
Nothing much happening here other than to settle down for any one of its diets off its varied reasonably priced Menu, mostly made up of seared tuna steaks, pizzas and cocktails on its sunny balcony.
Address: Rafikis at Zulu Croc, Hluhluwe 3960, South Africa.
8. Experience the culture of DumaZulu Traditional Village
The Dumazulu traditional village is a cultural village in the Hluhluwe region axis that has got its arms spread wide open to welcome both visitors and tourists alike to come to see the light of its vibrant Zulu culture and way of life.
Being present at this cultural village subsequently, you would also get to witness the amazing shows put out by members of the community in its monthly shows of traditional dancing and dining with traditional beer.
What other things does happens here?
Guests at this cultural village are also presented with the opportunity of shopping for anyone of its eco- friendly products made by members of the community themselves.
9. Stop by at the Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre
The Emdoneni cat rehabilitation center in the town of Hluhluwe intercepts right in between. Emdoneni Lodge and Game Farm are dedicated to taking care of orphaned or injured wild cats and releasing them into their natural habitats upon recovery.
Its guided tour is one which educative as well as informative, while also coming with a feeding experience of those animals.
What other things does happens here?
Aside from the aforementioned, visitors are also at liberty to come along with their camera lens to View and photograph these amazing animals.
10. Hangout at the Kuleni Game Park
The Kuleni Game Park is a nature reserve a distance away from the popular Hluhluwe Umfolozi Big “5” Game Reserve, a private and exclusive landscape made up of sand forest, thornveld, wetlands, grasslands, wildlife, and rich birdlife.
It should be of top priority of places to visit should you be in search of a warm and friendly place to hangout at while Aldon enjoying the feeling of safety and togetherness with its wildlife and the beautiful environment.
What to expect?
Here, visitors gets to hangout with non predator species such as warthog, giraffe, wildebeest, nyala, impala, zebra, duiker and more in the safest of environment open for them to take a walk.
11. Shop for souvenirs at Zamimpilo community market
The Zamimpilo community market in Hluhluwe, South Africa, is operated by locals of the community, who are mostly farmers. A destination to be at should you be interested in being part of its shopping experiences of the very best of its farm produce.
Open all throughout the seven days of the week, this craft market is the perfect spot to come pick up variety of items and different merchandise from its vegetable Gardens.
What do they offer?
The Zamimpilo community market is your one time stop to come purchase souvenirs of mostly farm produce for an excellent price under a fun atmosphere.
Address: N2 between Hluhluwe & Mtubatuba Ophondweni, Mtubatuba Rural, Ophondweni, South Africa.
12. Get adventurous with Maputaland adventures
Maputaland Adventures is one present on the border of Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, a lodging facility present in the most ideal location, offering fully functioning lodge services to both locals and foreigners, who are mostly visitors.
Made up of over fournseparate chalets, each with king size beds and eloquently decorated with a bar fridge and a spacious patio, alongside a beautiful bar and Lounge area to enjoy a drink during the evening hours; this is indeed a full package itself.
What other things does happens here?
Taking a self drive into its park, you also get to be part of its scrumptious picnic packages at a Special prices, specifically for indigenes.
Address: 1 Douglas Crowe Dr., Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Hluhluwe 3950, South Africa.
Also, Read 22 Fun things to do in Port Elizabeth, South Africa
13. Enjoy horseback riding with Hluhluwe Horse Safaris
The Hluhluwe horse safari at the moment presently holds the bragging rights of being the only lisenced operator organizing horse Safaris in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park region. Should that be an adventure that interests you, then this is one very destination you should be headed to.
Where you get to be part of its guided tours under the care of its experienced and qualified guides, an experience where they get to take you through its wide array of selection of adventurous horseback Safaris.
What to expect?
Here, visitors gets to experience the adventures of its horseback Safaris that take you on a ride through the scenic beauty and rare sand forest of false bay park.
Address: D 540 False Bay Road | Wildebees Ecolodge, Hluhluwe 3960, South Africa.
14. Have a nice time at the Bonamanzi game reserve
The Bonamanzi game reserve in Hluhluwe is one offering a fully packaged holiday experience of spending the night at anyone of its self-catered lodges of top notch lodging facilities, while also catching some fun moments on its natural reserve.
Showing up at this game reside aside from lodging, you get to be part of its fun activities of boat cruises and game drives under its warm weather.
Why you should show up here?
Here, you get to enjoy the great hospitality of its amazing staffs geared towards giving visitors a comfortable stay at its lodging facilities, though there is also the option of enjoying bird watching out there on its reserve.
15. Shop for items of art at the craft market of Ilala weavers
The Ilala Weavers craft market is friendly and wonderfully made to entertain both its residents and visitors requests for shopping for its neat and attractively displayed items of art at reasonable prices.
Offering a large variety of things to buy, there is absolutely no running out of option for things to shop for at this very craft market, making it an interesting place to visit as well, one which Waldo has got a nice restaurant where the service and food is good.
What other services do they render?
The Ilala weaver craft market do also assist out shipping items back to the US and some few other European countries; for those in need of such services.
16. Lodge over at the ANEW Hotel Hluhluwe
The ANEW Hotel in Hluhluwe is a modern-day lodging facility with a little touch of luxury, surrounded by and made beautiful by the presence of Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Elephant Coast and neighboring wildlife and marine reserves.
Its additional benefits are that, by booking to stay in any of its properties as a guest, you get to consider yourself privileged to be one of the few individuals to get acquainted with some of the area’s most sought-after wild animals, birds, reptiles, fish, and plants.
What do they offer?
The ANEW hotel in Hluhluwe do offer Airy rooms under a warm atmosphere, alongside safari excursions, a casual restaurant, and a poolside bar.
Address: 104 Main Rd, Hluhluwe, 3960, South Africa.
17. Enjoy the excellent beer selection and drinks of Ngweni Railroad Brewery & Cafe
The Ngweni Railroad Brewery & Cafe is a restaurant house in Hluhluwe, bringing a memorable experience like no other to both its residents and visitors alike with its wide array of selections of beer and some interesting gin drinks.
An experience which they get to enjoy to the fullest with the presence of its ever friendly staffs and the very best of welcoming atmosphere.
What other service do they render?
Since it also serves the purpose of rest a house, it Is also one of the best outlets to enjoy pizzas and pastry’s, served alongside your favorite drink.
Address: 1 Ngweni Road, Hluhluwe, 3960, South Africa.
18. Go for sightseeing with Dinizulu Safaris
Dinizulu Safaris is a sightseeing tour agency in Hluhluwe, South Africa, offering guided tours of tourist attractions and places of interest such as the Mzuke Game Reserve and Lake St. Lucia, where you can snorkel and go on boat tours.
An agency that also has price-friendly packages covering visitors’ tour-related expenses and accommodations in an apartment complex is perfect for all sizes of groups.
What do they offer?
Dinizulu Safaris is a company helping to plan tours on behalf of tourists, as it concerns the adventure of 3, 6 and 9 hours guided game drives in 4×4 open vehicles within Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and Mkuze Game Reserves.
Address: Zebra St, Hluhluwe, 3965, South Africa.
19. Dine over at the Amorello Sunset Deck Restaurant and Bar
After you have been done exploring and touring different tourist attractions and places of interest in Hluhluwe, there should be one destination you should be heading to wrap up a nice outing. Such a destination is the Amorello Sunset Deck Restaurant and Bar, where you can come dine and catch a good rest.
International cuisine presents visitors with the opportunity to order its nicely cooked pizza to bite into and munch through the delicious wine it has to offer as well.
Why you should stop by here?
The experience of being pts at this amazing restaurant house is worthwhile with its great service and meal menu made up mostly of duqqa, chicken, pizza, and wine.
Address: R22, Hlulhluwe, Hluhluwe, 3960, South Africa.
20. Go camping at the luxury tented accommodation of Falaza Game Park & Spa
The Falaza Game Park & Spa in Hluhluwe just as its name insinuates is one offering luxury tented accommodation that has got in built in it as well, a health spa.
With its luxury tented accommodation made up of an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and free Wi-Fi; all under an elegantly decorated tents.
What to expect?
The falaza game park & spa is one High-end lodging featuring tents and free breakfast, plus a spa, dining and safaris.
Address: D540 False Bay, Hluhluwe, 3960, South Africa.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, to enjoy the fun and thrills of being present or to consider paying a visit to this city of Hluhluwe, it should be during the dry season when the region at that very moment is faced with limited rainfall.
The reason behind such isn’t far fetched, as it is during such periods mostly in the summer you get to set your sight and spot various wildlife which visiting Hluhluwe is mostly all about.
