The game reserves of KwaZulu-Natal may be less famous than Kruger, yet they offer some of South Africa’s most rewarding and varied safari experiences. This is a region where you can track the Big Five in the morning and dip your toes into the warm Indian Ocean by the afternoon for the perfect blend of bush and beach.
The original and most storied reserve, Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, a landscape of wooded hills and river valleys where the world’s first rhino conservation efforts began (with Ian Player). Today it remains one of the best places in Africa to see both white and black rhino, alongside elephant, buffalo and a strong predator population.
Private Game Reserves of KwaZulu Natal
Around Hluhluwe, a collection of private reserves has flourished, each offering exclusive safari experiences and a diversity of habitats.
Phinda Private Game Reserve is the region’s flagship, known for its seven distinct ecosystems, exceptional guiding, and luxurious lodges.- Manyoni Private Game Reserve combines excellent wildlife viewing with innovative community-based conservation.
- Hluweluwe-Umfolizi Park now has adjacent private concessions which include Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge and the two MfulaWozi Game Lodges.
- Thanda Game Reserve blends open savanna and riverine forest — and is a favourite for romantic escapes and family stays alike.
Phinda Private Game Reserve is the region’s flagship, known for its seven distinct ecosystems, exceptional guiding, and luxurious lodges.These all offer the Big Five with probably a greater chance of seeing rhinos than anywhere else in the country. KwaZulu-Natal is also one of South Africa’s best regions for spotting cheetah, whose preference for open grasslands makes sightings here more likely than in Kruger.
North of Hluhluwe lies Mkuze Game Reserve - a paradise for birdwatchers, particularly in the summer months when migratory species arrive. You can stay at nearby Ghost Mountain Inn to enjoy both guided game drives in Mkuze as well as boating on Lake Jozini.
How to Get to the KwaZulu Game Lodges
From a practical point of view, these lodges are easily accessible via Durban or Richards Bay, with private road transfers or by self-drive. There’s also a direct flight from the Kruger to Durban so that you can stay at two contrasting wildlife ateas.
KZN game lodges range from ultra-luxurious to relaxed and affordable, (though none reach the dizzying heights of the top Sabi Sands lodges.) We have visited most of them.
All can be paired effortlessly with Coastal Maputaland lodges such as Thonga Beach Lodge, or Ubunge Lodge at Gugs. Or even of the St Lucia boutique guesthouses for a seamless safari and beach holiday.
Back to KwaZulu Natal Holiday pages
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do KwaZulu-Natal safaris compare to the Kruger?
KwaZulu-Natal offers an intimate experience, with fewer visitors and a greater variety of landscapes, from rolling hills to coastal plains. Broadly speaking, you are much less likely to see leopard and much more likely to see cheetah in KwaZulu Natal. Plus you have the convenience of nearby beach lodges.
Can I combine a safari with a beach holiday?
Yes, so easily. Most KZN game reserves are within a few hours’ drive of the Indian Ocean coast, making KwaZulu-Natal ideal for a relaxed bush-and-beach itinerary.
Are the reserves malaria-free?
Most KwaZulu-Natal game lodges are low-risk, or even malaria-free, especially compared to Greater Kruger. Phinda and Hluhluwe lie in a very low-risk zone where insect repellants and easy precautions are usually sufficient.
Experience the untamed beauty of KwaZulu-Natal’s game reserves — contact Cedarberg Africa to design your perfect safari and beach combination.
