Things to Do Around Hlabisa
Hlabisa and the Park Next Door
Hlabisa (kwaHlabisa) is a small rural village and municipal seat in uMkhanyakude District, KwaZulu-Natal. It sits on the eastern side of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP), and nearly everything worth doing here is tied to the park or to Zulu craft. Prices below are in South African rand (R).
Self-Drive Game Viewing
Nyalazi Gate is about 21 km from Hlabisa, roughly 30 to 35 minutes by road. Mpila Camp, the base for the iMfolozi sector, is about 39 km away.
- Daily conservation fee: about R300 to R320 per international adult, with a child under 12 at about R150 to R160. South African and SADC residents with ID pay about R150 to R160 for an adult and R75 to R80 for a child.
- Who pays: everyone, every day, including overnight guests.
- Gate hours: about 05:00 to 19:00 in summer and 06:00 to 18:00 in winter. The times are strictly enforced, so plan your exit well ahead.
- In the park: stay in your vehicle except at marked sites, keep to about 40 km/h on gravel and obey the signs. Pets are not allowed.
The fee figures come from the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife 2025-26 tariff, which runs to 31 October 2026. A new tariff year starts on 1 November, so check the current Ezemvelo tariff before you go.
Guided Drives and Walks
Ezemvelo runs guided activities from Mpila and Hilltop camps, booked at camp reception or through central reservations (+27 33 845 1067).
| Activity | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Game drive | R420 per person | Minimum of four people (R1,680 for the vehicle), about 2 to 2.5 hours in an open vehicle. Children under 3 are not allowed |
| Guided walk | R400 per person | Minimum of two, maximum of eight, armed ranger, no children under 12 or 13 |
Mpila drives leave in the morning (05:00 in summer, 06:00 in winter) and for a sundowner at 18:00 Monday to Saturday, or 17:00 on Sunday.
Centenary Centre and Craft Market
The Centenary Centre, about 12 km from Mpila near Nyalazi Gate, explains how game capture works in the park. It also houses the Vulamethlo Craft Market and a take-away open 08:00 to 16:00 daily. Guided access to the capture complex runs only in capture season.
Ilala-Palm Basketry
Hlabisa is the heartland of Zulu ilala-palm basketry. The weaver Beauty Ngxongo, born in 1953 and based in Hlabisa, has a lidded basket in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. If you buy a basket, buy from the maker and pay the price asked.
Before You Set Out
South Africa’s rural roads are best driven in daylight, with doors locked, because carjacking and robbery are a risk after dark. Northern KwaZulu-Natal is a seasonal malaria area, so see a travel clinic about prophylaxis and cover up at dusk. Do not buy rhino horn or ivory items: trade in them is illegal.
Read more: day trips from Hlabisa covers St Lucia, False Bay and other outings.
Gate times and rules are on the Ezemvelo rules page , camp details are on the Mpila resort page , and operator safaris are on GetYourGuide .