iMfolozi Wilderness Trails, are an experience the magic of a walking trail in the iMfolozi bush in the heartland of one of Africa’s oldest game reserves. You can sense the presence of a grazing rhino, hear and feel the night air throb to the roar of lions intruding over the crackle of your campfire, and experience the bush at a very personal level.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife offers trails over weekends or longer, which are designed to meet your time constraints while still allowing you to benefit fully from the experience. Folks who have done a trail come back for more, while first-timers will thrill to the sights, sounds and smells of the iMfolozi bush as never before. Guests are encouraged to leave watches and cell phones behind to experience greater freedom from time and deadline constraints.
The trails are conducted by armed and experienced guides who will add to your experience and knowledge, the iMfolozi Wilderness Trails can be a life-changing experience.

• The iMfolozi Wilderness Trails operation currently runs five different trails:
• The Primitive Trail – (minimum 6 pax)
• The Base Camp Trail – (minimum 4 pax)
• The Short Wilderness Trail – (minimum 4 pax)
• The Extended Short Wilderness Trail – (minimum 4 pax)
• The Explorer Trail – (minimum 6 pax)

Useful Information

All trails (except the Primitive Trail) take a maximum of eight, but require a minimum of four people in order to take place. The Primitive Trail, however, requires a minimum of six people. Should the minimum number of trailists not be confirmed, the trail will be cancelled and any payments refunded. Alternatively, depending on availability, arrangements can be made to accommodate trailists at Mpila or Hilltop Resorts and a programme of game drives and day walks arranged. Electronic gadgets i.e. cellular phones and laptops are not permitted on trails. Should a trailist have a special dietary need, please inform the Trails Consultant when making a booking. Regrettably, and for very practical reasons, the Primitive Trail cannot accommodate any special dietary needs. Weather remains an unpredictable element, and should it rain during a trail it is possible that the group will not go out for the day. This is due to the increased danger caused by wet conditions, or the added risk of sudden and dangerous encounters with wildlife. It may be possible to go for short walks. Vehicles can be parked at Mdindini Base Camp, which is 7km from Mpila Resort.

Indemnity

Neither the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board nor Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife accepts responsibility for any death, injury or illness sustained or suffered by any person, or theft, or loss of or damage to any property, occurring within or arising from a visit or visits to parks, reserves, or resorts under their management or control, howsoever caused, and whether allegedly due to the negligence of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board/Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife or any of their employees or agents, or arising from the use of any facilities supplied or made available. All participants will be required to sign an indemnity before they are able to participate in the trail. Minors must arrive with a letter of consent from their parent or legal guardian.

Location

The Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is located 270 km north of Durban, past Empangeni and Richards Bay and inland of Mtubatuba, the nearest town. The route is clearly signposted. From the north, follow the N2 past the town of Hluhluwe or south from Durban, and take the R618 offramp at the Mtubatuba/Hlabisa turnoff and head towards Hlabisa and Hluhuwe-iMfolozi Park. The Nyalazi Gate of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is 25 km from this point. Once in the Park follow the signs to iMfolozi and Mpila.

Entry fees

An entry fee / conservation levy is payable to the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park at reception or check in. A community levy is also payable.

Transport

All trailists are required to provide their own transport arrangements to and from the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife cannot assist in this regard.

Malaria warning

All our wilderness trails take place in areas where there is a risk of contracting malaria. Participants are advised to take anti-malaria precautions as a matter of course. Please consult a medical practitioner in this regard.

Age Restriction

There is no maximum age restriction. Trailists do, however, need to be reasonably physically fit. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reserves the right to turn anyone away from a wilderness trail should the Trails Officer feel that a person is not physically fit/able enough. The minimum age for a child unaccompanied by a parent or legal guardian is sixteen (16) years. No child under the age of fourteen (14) years may participate. (Proof of age may be requested by the Trails Officer.) If this ruling is not adhered to, the underage persons will unfortunately have to be turned away on arrival.

Clothing

Participants are requested to wear suitably coloured clothing that blends with the surroundings. The best colours are khaki and green. Inappropriate colours are white, red, yellow, orange and pink. In general, dark colours are preferable to light colours.

General

Trails Officers and Field Guides, who are all highly trained and experienced, guide each iMfolozi Wilderness trail. Both are trained and competent in the use of the rifles they carry, and your safety is their primary focus on the trail. It is, essential that trailists obey any instruction from either one of them. Remember that Zululand winters can be cold, with temperatures dropping significantly at night, whilst the summer temperatures can rise appreciably by midday, and sudden rain can be a factor.

As ticks can be a problem at certain times of the year, trailists are advised to purchase “Bayticol” a highly effective tick deterrent, from their pharmacy. It is also usually available from the Mpila shop. Trailists are advised to bring gaiters, which serve as an effective deterrent from ticks as well as thorns (available from any hiking shop). There are no mosquito nets available.