Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Game Reserve tour from Durban

Africa's oldest game reserve, where the Big Five roam across rolling hills and river valleys.

A full-day game safari in Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve departing from Durban at 6am, led by an English-speaking ranger through Africa's oldest protected wildlife area. You travel through rolling landscapes and dense bush searching for lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and bird species. The reserve is particularly known for its rhino conservation work, and the return to Durban arrives around 6pm.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve Safari

• Depart from Durban at 6am
• Travel north to Hluhluwe Imfolozi
• Enjoy guided game drive in reserve
• Spot Big Five and other wildlife
• Return to Durban by 6pm

The experience

Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve spans rolling hills, river valleys and savannahs in northern KwaZulu-Natal, and the drive from Durban takes you through changing terrain before you enter the park. Your ranger leads the game drive, pointing out wildlife and explaining the ecology and conservation work that has made this reserve significant, especially its decades-long effort to bring rhinos back from the brink of extinction. The Big Five are here: lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo and rhinos, along with giraffes, zebras, antelopes and a range of bird species that move through the landscape depending on the season and water sources.

The day runs 12 hours door-to-door, with the bulk of time spent on the game drive itself. You depart Durban at 6am, which gets you into the reserve during the hours when wildlife is most active, and return around 6pm. The pace is set by what appears: a sighting might hold the vehicle for minutes or longer, and the ranger reads the landscape for tracks, movement and behavior. Stops are unscheduled. They happen where animals are, not on a fixed itinerary.

Pickup and drop-off happen in Durban, so you don't arrange separate transport to a meeting point. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible, and all areas of the reserve you visit are accessible by vehicle. The tour suits all fitness levels since you travel by car rather than on foot.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off in Durban.
• game drive through Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve.
• English-speaking ranger guide.
• wildlife viewing including the Big Five (lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, buffalo), giraffes, zebras, antelopes and bird species.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Owomusa Safaris

Is this one for you?This tour works for solo travelers, couples, families and groups traveling together from Durban. The full-day format and early 6am departure mean you see the reserve during peak wildlife hours, and the ranger's knowledge turns each sighting into an education rather than just a glimpse.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

What are the Big Five I might see in Hluhluwe Imfolozi?

The Big Five are lions, elephants, leopards, buffalo and rhinos. Hluhluwe Imfolozi is particularly known for its rhino population and conservation success, so sightings of these endangered animals are especially meaningful here. You'll also see giraffes, zebras, antelopes and many bird species.

What time does the tour depart from Durban and when do I return?

The tour departs Durban at 6am and returns around 6pm, making it a full 12-hour day. The early start gets you into the reserve during peak wildlife activity hours.

Is Hluhluwe Imfolozi really Africa's oldest game reserve?

Yes, Hluhluwe Imfolozi is Africa's oldest game reserve. Its long history of protection and management, combined with its rolling landscapes, dense bush and river valleys, has created one of the continent's most important wildlife habitats and conservation areas.

Will I need to arrange my own transport to and from Durban?

No, pickup and drop-off in Durban are included in the tour, so you don't need to arrange separate transport. The vehicle is wheelchair accessible.

How does the game drive work? Do we stop at set times or follow wildlife?

The ranger leads the drive and stops are determined by where animals appear, not a fixed schedule. A sighting might hold the vehicle for several minutes or longer depending on animal behavior and what the ranger wants you to observe.