بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

When most people think of South Africa, wildlife adventures top the list—and for good reason. Home to the famous “Big 5” (we’ll explain who they are soon!), South Africa offers some of the world’s most unique safari experiences. Unlike many countries, the game reserves here are well-developed, easily accessible from major airports, and equipped with solid tourist infrastructure.

While renowned parks like Kruger, Sabi Sand, and Timbavati are incredible, they can also be pricey and packed with tourists—especially during the busy seasons. But here’s the good news: just a few hours from Durban, there’s a hidden gem that’s family-friendly, budget-conscious, and packed with wildlife.

Join us as we take you through one of our favorite halal-friendly safari adventures at Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park—South Africa’s oldest game reserve and a must-visit for Muslim family travelers.

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park: A Halal Safari Adventure Near Durban

If you're looking for a truly unique halal-friendly safari experience, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park is a hidden gem you don’t want to miss. (Pronounced shlush-loo-way eem-fo-loh-zee) Located just a few hours from Durban, this park offers incredible wildlife encounters, family-friendly activities, and affordable halal-friendly options—all wrapped into one unforgettable adventure.

Where Is Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park and Why Visit?

Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park is South Africa’s oldest game reserve and one of the most beautiful. Located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), it’s just over 250 km (about 3 hours) drive from Durban Central. It covers an area of 96,000 hectares (960 square kilometers). This is smaller than other popular reserves in South Africa but don't let the size fool you, it has everything the other ones have and the size makes the possibility of seeing many different animals greater. Keep in mind that these reserves are truly wild, so even if you do everything right there is no guarantee to see any particular animal, but follow some of my tips in this blog to give yourself the best chance of seeing all of them.

📍 Google Maps Location

Originally established to protect the endangered white rhino, the park is now home to The Big 5:

• Lion

• Elephant

• Buffalo

• Leopard

• Rhino (both black and white)

The term 'Big 5' originated during the colonial era when hunting these animals on foot was a significant challenge and a test of skill and endurance for hunters. They posed a real threat to hunters, making it dangerous to hunt them on foot. While the term originated in the context of trophy hunting, the Big Five are now symbols of Africa's rich biodiversity and are often seen as part of wildlife tourism and conservation efforts

You’ll also find giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, hyenas, cheetahs, warthogs, and over 300 bird species. These animals are fairly common in the park so chances are you will see most of them. From the Big 5 you are most likely to see Rhinos, Elephants, and Buffalos. Lions are more rare but if you go on the safari day trips into the park the guides stay in contact with each other and if one finds any they will communicate so others can join if close enough.

We were blessed to see all of the Big 5 except the Leopard, which is the most rare find in any game reserve. They are solitary creatures that are built to hide, and the game ranger we were with told us he worked there for 5 years and has not seen one!! The landscape ranges from rolling hills to dense bush and open savannah, making game drives thrilling and scenic.

Best Time to Visit Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park for Muslim Families

The park is open year-round, but there are peak and off-peak seasons to consider:

Peak Season (June–August & December holidays):

• Cooler weather and more animal sightings

• Higher prices and more tourists

Off-Peak Season (January–May & September–November):

• More budget-friendly

• Fewer tourists

• Hotter and sometimes rainy, but still enjoyable especially if you go out in the early hours

💡 Tip: Lodging just outside the park is usually much cheaper than staying inside the reserve itself. Many guesthouses and lodges nearby offer a more affordable, authentic experience.

Halal Food, Muslim-Friendly Accommodation, and Safari Tips

There are Muslim-friendly full-service safari options available, including:

• Belaire Suites Hotel + Safari Package

• Halal Tour Operators like South Africa Halal Travel or Fitrah Safari

These provide halal food, prayer spaces, and full itineraries, but they can be quite expensive.

DIY Halal Safari Tip

For Muslim family travelers on a budget:

• Book a standard lodge or Airbnb outside the park

• Bring your own braai (BBQ) stand

• Pick up halal marinated meats from Durban’s famous halal butcheries

• Bring a prayer mat and compass

This approach is not only more affordable but makes the experience feel like a real adventure. Kids love the hands-on nature of camping, grilling, and seeing animals nearby.

Best Budget Lodges Near Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park

Here are some excellent and affordable options, you can check out the various room options for these spots on sites like booking or expedia, or our partner Trip.com:

Africana Lodge (10 minutes from park gate)

• Family rooms, kitchen, pool

• Approx. $50-70 per night

2. Hluhluwe Backpackers (Small families or Couples)

• Budget rooms and dorms

• Approx. $40-50 per night

3. Gooderson Bushlands Game Lodge (Great for families and our top choice)

• Rustic but charming, animal roaming on site, bigger rooms and nice communal spaces

• Approx. $70-100 per night

Compare this with inside-park luxury lodges like Hilltop Camp, which can run $300-500+ per night.

For full halal luxury stays, prices start at about $500+ per night with all-inclusive meals and tours, but sometimes you will find deals for slightly cheaper. These are great if you have the budget and want a luxury experience, but honestly you can find luxury at any beach resort in the world and this trip is about nature and living rustically is the way to go especially with kids.

Top Family-Friendly Activities in Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park

There’s a lot to do in and around the park that will complete your experience. Here are our top picks with costs at the time of our visit:

Half-Day Guided Safari Tour

• Cost: ~$40-50 per person

• Best done early morning when animals are most active

• Highly recommended for first-timers

• The Ranger will come pick you up from your place and take you into the park, plenty of great knowledge and experiences for the kids to remember. If you can only do one activity during your stay this is it so make sure to book in advance so that you can get the time slot you want.

Cheetah Rehabilitation Centre (Emdoneni Lodge)

• Cost: ~$20 per adult / $10 per child

• Close-up encounter with cheetahs and other wild cats

• Must-do with kids

• This is 2nd on my list as a great experience for the kids to see a top predator up-close, don't miss it!

Elephant Interaction Tour (Bayete Zulu)

• Cost: ~$40–$50 per person

• Learn about rescued elephants and interact safely

• Get up close with Elephants and learn more about these amazing creatures

There are also a self-drive safari option where you can take your own car into the park for a small fee, but I do not recommend this especially for first time visitors as you won't know where to go, there is no communication to find the best animals, and did not feel safe for us anyways. Aside from these there are hikes and other attractions which you can learn about during your stay to add on if you have time and the budget. Even outside the reserve, you’ll often see animals like:

• Zebras

• Giraffes

• Wildebeests

• Impalas

They roam freely on some lodge properties which is an incredible experience to watch while you are relaxing in your place. While it’s thrilling to have a zebra wander by your deck, remember:

🚫 Do not touch or approach – these are still wild animals.

Many lodges offer child-friendly activities like:

• Mini nature walks

• Animal spotting games

• Outdoor fire pits and stargazing

Why Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Is the Best Halal Safari in South Africa

For Muslim family travelers, Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park hits the perfect balance:

• Authentic wildlife experiences

• Affordable lodging options

• Nearby halal food and Durban’s Muslim infrastructure

• Kid-friendly fun and space to explore

Whether you go full luxury or opt for a self-guided halal adventure, this park makes for a perfect Muslim family safari.

With a heavy heart it was time to leave Durban. The beaches, wildlife and food make South Africa a top destination for Muslim families, but the excitement was building for our next Muslim-Friendly stop, please join us on our next Muslim Family Nomad adventure - Malaysia.

Nomad Journal 11

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** Disclaimer: We are compensated for some of the links provided in this article if you purchase something, but we only recommend what we have used and found successful or we have done some research to find. This blog should not be used as financial advice and we are not travel agents, we are just letting you know our opinions from real life experience. May Allah bless you and your family on your travels!