Welcome to Mpila Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Mpila Resort lies at the heart of one of Africa’s oldest game reserves- the iMfolozi section of the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, and is an easy three-hour drive from Durban.
Mpila is situated on a high ridge commanding magnificent views over the iMfolozi wilderness, an area steeped in history going back to the Iron Age and the great days of the Zulu Kingdom.
iMfolozi, along with Hluhluwe Game Reserve and the St Lucia Game Reserve, were established in 1895 and are thus amongst the oldest game reserves in the world, and are the oldest game reserves in Africa. Hluhluwe and iMfolozi were combined with the Corridor Game Reserve in 1989 to form the 96 000 ha Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.
It contains the legendary “Big Five”- lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhino - and is the genetic home of the white rhino. The wide range of habitats in the Park support 80 species of mammals and over 300 species of birds, making it a game viewing and bird-watching paradise.
Operation Rhino has its roots in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Initiated in the 1960s, the project aims at spreading rhinos from the Park to other protected areas and privately owned land in order to promote an increase in the population of these iconic and threatened animals.
Mpila is also the starting point for the world-renowned guided iMfolozi Wilderness Trails, begun in 1959, which take visitors on foot through the 25 000 ha iMfolozi Wilderness Area.
The Centenary Centre, an easy drive from Mpila, provides guided access to the Game Capture Complex (during capture season), as well as presenting the visitor with an interpretation centre on game capture, a community-run craft market and refreshment kiosk.
