Multi-Day Stays and Trails near Hlabisa
Staying in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Hlabisa has little accommodation of its own, so a multi-day trip here means nights inside Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP). The park charges its daily conservation fee to overnight guests as well as day visitors, on top of the room: about R300 to R320 per international adult per day. Prices are in rand (R) on the Ezemvelo 2025-26 tariff, which ends on 31 October 2026, so confirm the new rates that start on 1 November.
A Two-Camp Circuit
Spend nights at Mpila Camp in the iMfolozi sector and then at Hilltop Camp in the Hluhluwe sector. Book both through Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.
| Camp | Unit | Base rate per night |
|---|---|---|
| Mpila | 2-bed safari tent | R1,320 |
| Mpila | 2-bed chalet | R1,400 |
| Hilltop | 2-bed rondavel | R870 |
| Hilltop | 2-bed self-catering chalet | R1,650 |
| Hilltop | 4-bed self-catering chalet | R3,300 |
| Hilltop | Mtwazi Lodge (8 beds) | R7,800 |
These are standard-season base rates, so confirm before you book. Mpila runs on generator power from 06:00 to 22:00, and the nearest full shops are in Mtubatuba, about 50 km away.
iMfolozi Wilderness Trails
Ranger-led trails run in the iMfolozi wilderness area, and the price covers catering but not the conservation fee.
- Short Trail: 2 nights, R3,350.
- Extended Short Trail: 3 nights, R5,250.
- Base Camp Trail: 3 nights, R5,350, based at Mndindini Trails Camp.
- Primitive Trail: 3 nights at R3,450 or 4 nights at R4,100.
- Explorer Trail: 4 nights, R4,400.
Groups need at least 4 people for the short and base camp trails and at least 6 for the primitive and explorer trails. Walkers must be 14 or older with a parent or guardian, or 16 if alone. Book through the Ezemvelo iMfolozi trails office on +27 35 550 8478. Ian Player and Magqubu Ntombela pioneered the guided wilderness trails in the 1950s.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
Rhino Ridge is a full-board lodge inside the park. The Safari Room is about R5,630 per person sharing per night from 1 July 2026 to 30 April 2027, with other room types priced higher. It is about 1.5 hours from Richards Bay Airport and about 3.5 hours from King Shaka International in Durban.
Adding St Lucia
After the park, drive about 76 km to St Lucia for an estuary cruise, or continue to Cape Vidal for the beach. The turtle season runs from about November to March.
Travel Safety
Keep driving to daylight hours, because carjacking is a risk after dark. Northern KwaZulu-Natal is a seasonal malaria area, so see a travel clinic about prophylaxis. Stay inside your unit after dark at Mpila, where the camp fence only keeps elephants out.
Read more: romantic stays near Hlabisa looks at the lodge and bush camp options in more detail.
Trail prices and booking contacts are on the Ezemvelo wilderness trails page , the Rhino Ridge site lists room types, and nearby stays can be searched on Booking.com .