Named after the many thorny climbers that were once found along the Hluhluwe River, on whose banks the town rests, Hluhluwe is sandwiched between the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve. This fact ensures that visitors will be treated to incredibly scenic surroundings. Those who enjoy fresh, juicy South African pineapples can indulge themselves to the fullest, with most of the country’s pineapples produced in this region. Visitors can also look forward to exploring one of many surrounding reserves to view the world-renowned Big Five; soaking up the incredible natural scenery; and enjoying a variety of activities including scuba diving, horse riding, hiking, canoeing, boat cruises, and mountain biking.
Situated northeast of Richard's Bay in the South African province of KwaZulu Natal, the state-owned 40 000-hectare Mkuze Game Reserve is known for its dramatic landscapes, exceptional birdlife, and amazing cultural village. The scenery is beautifully diverse, with thornveld on the hills, an enchanting fig tree forest near the pans, swathes of acacia savannah, swamps, riverine forest and a rare type of sand forest. The reserve is home to incredible birdlife, featuring over 420 species. Animals on the reserve include lion, elephant, zebra, hippo, crocodile, black and white rhinoceros, giraffe, nyala, blue wildebeest, warthog, eland, impala, kudu, other smaller antelope and so much more. Rare species occurring in the reserve are cheetah, hyena, suni and leopard. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the unique cultural village, which offers a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle and crafts of the local Zulu community.
Situated in the rugged, mountainous thornveld of northern KwaZulu-Natal, Ithala Game Reserve is home to a multitude of habitats that host a spectacular array of wildlife species. This magnificent reserve tumbles from the heights of the Ngotshe Mountains a thousand metres into a deep valley that has been carved over the eons by the Phongolo River revealing the world's oldest rock formations. Its scenic beauty aside, Ithala's most characteristic feature is perhaps its astonishing geological diversity - some of the oldest rock formations in the world are found here, dating back 3 000 million years. Ithala's terrain extends over lowveld and densely vegetated riverine valleys to high-lying grassland plateaus, ridges, and cliff faces, making it the perfect location for hiking and nature photography.
Extending along the spectacularly scenic northern coast of KwaZulu Natal to the border of beautiful Mozambique, Zululand is known for its wild landscapes, traditional cultural heritage and an array of protected game and nature reserves. This breathtaking area features magnificent beaches, mangrove swamps, unspoilt estuaries, rivers, lakes and rolling grasslands scattered with indigenous forest and scrublands. Enjoy a visit to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, world-renowned for its rhino conservation; explore Ithala Game Reserve, inhabited by abundant wildlife and rare bird species; and spend a day at Shakaland, a film location that has been transformed into Zululand’s tourist epicentre featuring the best of the Zulu culture.
