Mpila Camp

iMfolozi South Section · Nyalazi Gate

Mpila Camp

Unfenced · Self-catering · Birthplace of white rhino conservation
Location
iMfolozi South Section
Nyalazi Gate is 54km from St Lucia. Mpila sits in open acacia thornveld in the heart of the iMfolozi — the landscape where Operation Rhino was launched in the 1950s and where the southern white rhino was rescued from the edge of extinction.
No airport shuttle — self-drive or hire car essential.
Wildlife
Big 5 & 340+ Bird Species
LionLeopardElephantBuffaloRhino ★
Open iMfolozi thornveld delivers excellent lion and rhino sightings. Wild dog packs are resident and seen more frequently here than in the Hluhluwe section. Giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and nyala also common. 340+ bird species including African fish eagle, saddle-billed stork and woolly-necked stork along the Black and White iMfolozi rivers.
Best Time to Visit
May – September
Dry season concentrates game along the Black and White iMfolozi rivers. Open terrain means long, unobstructed sightlines across the thornveld all winter. July and August are the best months for lion and rhino.
Do You Need a 4x4?
No — But Recommended
Main roads around Mpila are manageable in any standard vehicle. A 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle opens the wilderness tracks deeper into the iMfolozi — recommended for exploring beyond the main circuit, especially after summer rain.
Park Entry Fee
R240 per Adult
International: R240 adult · R120 child (ages 3–12)
SA Residents: R120 adult · R60 child
Gate fee waived for all overnight guests.
Accommodation
R994 per person per night
2-bed and 4-bed self-catering safari tents at R994 per person per night — en-suite bathroom, fully equipped kitchen, deck and braai. 2-bed and larger chalets also available. Units serviced daily. No restaurant — stock up in Hluhluwe or St Lucia before entering the park.
© gamereservehluhluwe.com · Virtual Tours · Rates 2025–2026 · Subject to change

Monthly visitor conditions

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve · KwaZulu-Natal
96,000 ha · Est. 1895
JanHot & wet
FebHot & wet
MarCooling
AprGood
MayExcellent
JunPeak
JulPeak
AugPeak
SepExcellent
OctGood
NovRains start
DecHot & wet
Peak dry season — best Big 5 viewing
Good — wildlife active, comfortable temps
Shoulder — warming up, green scenery
Wet season — lush, excellent birding
gamereservehluhluwe.com
© gamereservehluhluwe.com

Mpila Camp is a self-catering camp located centrally within the uMfolozi area of Hluhluwe iMfolozi Game Reserve. This is in KwaZulu Natal area of South Africa.

The Mpila Camp has a rich history and is home to over 300 species of animals and birds, and the Big5 animals of Africa. The camp is not fenced animals do come into camp at night, so be careful. Mpila camp only offers self-cater facilities. You will be able to cook in your own full kitchen in all Mpila accommodation, while enjoying the view of the bush. The kitchens have all you need cutlery crockery and linen and fresh towels, rooms serviced daily.

If you want to stay in a 2 bed chalet or tent with a small child, you can have 3 in a 2 bed, but please bring a mattress.

The water is clean, and drinkable, but it may be a bit muddy. You should probably bring water as backup. There is a small shop for basics , like fire wood, milk and bread and some frozen meat.
But don’t rely on this, shop on the way into the park ..

What Animals Are There To See

Mpila Tented Camp

If your looking for bit more of an old style adventure the tents are quite fun espicaly if you have some children on the trip. The tents are full equiped full basic very basic kitchens and bathroom / showers.There are 2 types of tents.

The 2 bed safari tent has 2 singel beds, no double bed sorry...There is also a 4 bed tent witch is really camping, the layout, one big bush tent all open plan. Both the 2 bed and 4 bed tents are biult off the ground on decks for safty from the creachers.

They do and will come into camp in the evenings and night. So do not walk off the decks at night. Sorry there is no pool at Mpila Camp. The only pool is at Hilltop camp, where there is also a restaurant and great pub overlooking the vally,

You can all use the fasilattys at Hilltop, Its just you have to be back, Off the roads by 6pm. So you can go for lunch and swimm in afternoon, Its gets really hot here. 30c +

 

 

Mpila Camp Prices Sharing

2 bed chalet  R800.00pppn

5 bed chalet R750.00pppn

7 bed chalet R950.00pppn

 

The Imfolozi side of the game park is bit more rustic and cheeper option.The accommodation is very basic and a bit dated. But end of the day we all come here to see the animals.

I like the park datedness, because its not as comercial and say Kruger. There are no private Lodges inside the park, no restarants and shop really. So it gives a nice wild un-spiold experance.

There are 2 other options in Imfolozi for accommodation, Nselweni Bush Camp and there are 3 8 bed lodges that are set off by them self in the bush.

8 Bed Gqoyeni Bush Lodge / Price R 8.600.00 per night 8 people

8 Bed Hlatikulu Bush Lodge / Price R 7000.00 per night 8 peoples

Nselweni Bush Camp, is another camp setoff by its self in bush, 8 units all self cater with there own full kitchens and showers. There is also a nice comen area with a deck over looking the Umfolozi River. All can use this comen area, its great if you have a lage group and want have a meal together or nice to meet other travlers.

 

 

Mpila Tented Camp Layout

Mpila Umfolozi map