Game Drives and Boat Cruises near Hlabisa
Guided Game Drives in the Park
Hlabisa has no tour operators of its own, and its visitor attractions are the guided outings in nearby Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) and on Lake St Lucia. Prices are in rand (R).
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife runs guided game drives from Mpila Camp (iMfolozi sector, about 39 km from Hlabisa) and Hilltop Camp (Hluhluwe sector).
- Price: R420 per person on the 2025-26 tariff, booked as R1,680 for a minimum of four people.
- Vehicle and length: Mpila uses open 10-seat vehicles, and drives last about 2 to 2.5 hours.
- Departures: mornings at 05:00 in summer and 06:00 in winter, plus sundowner drives at 18:00 Monday to Saturday and 17:00 on Sunday.
- Children: under 3 are not allowed on drives.
- Booking: at camp reception, or through Ezemvelo central reservations on +27 33 845 1067.
The park conservation fee is charged on top. It is about R300 to R320 for an international adult per day. The new tariff year starts on 1 November, so check the Ezemvelo tariff before you travel.
St Lucia Estuary Cruises
St Lucia town is about 76 km from Hlabisa, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes by road. Two operators run two-hour cruises on the estuary.
| Operator | Boat | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Shoreline Boat Safari (Heritage Tours & Safaris) | 15-seat shallow-draft boat | Tea or coffee included, phone +27 35 590 1555 |
| Advantage Tours | Large passenger vessel | Sundeck, bar and toilets, phone +27 35 590 1259 |
Advantage cruises leave at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 16:00 from 15 September to 14 April. From 15 April to 14 September the departures are 10:00, 12:00 and 15:00. Ask each operator for current fares. Hippos and crocodiles are common on the estuary, but a sighting is never guaranteed.
Shoreline also runs night turtle tours to Cape Vidal from about November to March, and these need a permit.
Full-Day Safaris
Several operators, Heritage Tours & Safaris among them, sell full-day park safaris. Pick-up is in St Lucia or Hluhluwe, not Hlabisa, and prices differ widely between operators, so ask before you book.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Rhino Ridge is a lodge inside HiP, and its guided drives, walks and community visits are mainly for guests staying there. Its drives take children from age 6 and its walks from age 14.
Practical Notes
Drive only in daylight on the way to a cruise or a park gate, because carjacking and robbery are risks after dark. Northern KwaZulu-Natal is a seasonal malaria area, so talk to a travel clinic about prophylaxis.
Read more: day trips from Hlabisa lays out the distances for each outing.
Cruise details are on the iSimangaliso Shoreline listing and the Advantage Tours page , and you can compare park safaris on GetYourGuide .