Hluhluwe – iMfolozi Game Reserve is a true safari gem in KwaZulu Natal and is regarded to be the oldest proclaimed game reserve in Africa and the home of the gorgeous Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge.
Set high up on a ridge, Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge takes full advantage of the magnificent views across the 96 000 hectare game reserve and offers affordable luxury accommodation and facilities that far exceed that which you would expect from a 4-star lodge.
The lodge boasts 18 well-appointed rooms and villas, each with comfortable beds, an en-suite bathroom, minibar, overhead fan, air conditioning and a private viewing deck.
The luxury villas are spacious and have the added feature of a fireplace and a private plunge pool in the honeymoon villas. Rhino Ridge is great for families traveling with children, with the safari family rooms offering two comfortable bedrooms and a shared inter-leading lobby.
The lodge is equipped with a restaurant, bar, sparkling infinity swimming pool, Wi-Fi connectivity, a conference venue, laundry service, spa and viewing deck that overlooks an active water hole.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve is home to an abundance of wildlife, including the famous Big 5 and more than 400 species of birds. Split into two regions – Hluhluwe and Imfolozi, visitors to the park should explore both areas to get the best game viewing experience.
There are plenty of opportunities to spot the Big 5 and other species such as hyena, cheetah, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and various antelope species. Wild dogs are also present and more often seen in the Imfolozi area.
The park is well-known for its contribution to rhino conservation, bringing the white rhino population back from the brink of extinction. The reserve is said to now have the highest population of white rhinos in the world, exceeding as many as 1600. The Centenary Capture Centre has also set the standard for animal capture and sustainable utilisation in Africa.
Activities offered at Rhino Ridge Lodge include open-vehicle game drives, bush walks, bird watching, gorge walks, spa treatments and overnight stays with a traditional Zulu family. It is also possible to travel to Lake St Lucia and enjoy a boat cruise along an estuary that is regarded to have the largest population of hippo in South Africa.
