Hluhluwe ( ; ) is a small town in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is situated between

iSimangaliso Wetland Park iSimangaliso Wetland Park (previously known as the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park) is situated on the east coast of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, about 235 kilometres north of Durban by road. It is South Africa's third-largest protected area, ...

and Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park on the banks of the

Hluhluwe River The Hluhluwe River originates in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It rises in the Nongoma district and runs northeast through Hlabisa and the Hluhluwe Dam, beyond which it converges with the Nyalazi River to become the ...

. Hluhluwe is situated on the elephant coast, an area known for its national parks, natural diversity and cultural heritage. Although relatively undeveloped the area is of growing interest to international tourists and travelers. The area hosted several local and international movie productions including
I dreamed of Africa
and
Ghost Son
as well as several documentaries that were filmed in the surrounding national parks. Timber, sugar and pineapples are intensively grown in the area, which produces over 95% of South Africa's queen pineapples. Other agricultural crops are sugar-cane, sisal, cotton, tomatoes and chillies. Due to traditional settlement patterns and customs, activity is still low in some areas.
Umkhanyakude, district municipality. Hluhluwe is considered the hub of tourism in KwaZulu-Natal. The Hluhluwe area has an abundance of accommodation facilities, from budget accommodation to five-star game lodges. Hluhluwe town is a service centre to the surrounding area. The town is named after the thorny rope climber ''

Dalbergia armata ''Dalbergia armata'' (Hluhluwe creeper) is a scrambling, deciduous species of legume that is native to subtropical to temperate regions of southeastern Africa. The robust, woody liana or small tree is armed with strong spines on the main stem an ...

'' (''umHluhluwe'' in Zulu), which is found among the forest vegetation types in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park.

Attractions

The main attractions of Hluhluwe are the big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard), Hluhluwe-iMfolozi game reserve, iSimangaliso wetlands park (formerly known as St Lucia Wetlands Park), its natural diversity, Indian Ocean beaches (accessed through St Lucia or Sodwana bay) and the cultural heritage of the Zulu people. A wide variety of activities is available in and around Hluhluwe. Big 5 safaris, scuba diving, horse riding trails, walking trails, bird watching, a crocodile and snake park, canoeing, boat cruises, mountain bike trails, conservation experiences, cultural interactions, cultural villages, curio shops. Game drives (safaris) are either guided or possible in most nature reserves with own vehicle. Entrance fees apply when entering most of the nature reserves with own vehicle. It falls under the eMdletsheni tribal authority.

Sports

Hluhluwe annually hosts the RIS Hluhluwe Rhino Charge mountain bike race, part of the Big 5 mountain bike challenge, a returning event where hundreds of riders gather during race weekend to challenge one of the most diverse and in some parts technical terrain in the big 5 mountain bike series. In 2013, after a few years of absence, Hluhluwe was the stage of the Bell 400, the national off-road motorcycle and quad bike race, it is currently unknown if the Bell 400 will return to Hluhluwe.

References

External links

I Love Hluhluwe - Community and tourist information

Volunteering in Hluhluwe

Day Safari Options to Hluhluwe

Hluhluwe Imfolozi Accommodation

Available Accommodation
{{Umkhanyakude District Municipality Populated places in the Big Five Hlabisa Local Municipality