We're Zululand Distillers, a small-batch craft distillery on the R22 outside Hluhluwe, open since 2019. We turn local Queen pineapples into gin, brandy and liqueurs, and our visitors ask us every day what else to see. Hluhluwe sits between Africa's oldest proclaimed game reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage wetland park, with Zulu culture, pineapple farms and Indian Ocean beaches close by. This is our local's guide to the best things to do in Hluhluwe: wildlife, culture, pineapple country (including our own distillery tour), day trips, rainy-day ideas, where to eat and how to get here.
Tasting Board or a Cold Craft Beer
No time for the full tour? Pop in for a tasting board of our pineapple gins, brandy and liqueurs for R150. Not into spirits? Grab a cold craft beer on tap. No booking needed. We're open Mon–Sat 9:00–17:00 and Sun 9:00–13:00, on the R22 in Hluhluwe.
Top picks if you're short on time
- Dawn game drive (or self-drive) in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
- False Bay walks or a St Lucia estuary cruise in iSimangaliso Wetland Park
- A Zulu cultural village show (DumaZulu or Zulu Nyala)
- Pineapple country: farm fields along the R22, then our one-hour tour and tasting
Wildlife and nature
Game drive or self-drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the reason many people come here. It is widely regarded as Africa's oldest proclaimed game reserve (1895), home to the Big Five, and famous for the conservation story that brought the southern white rhino back from the brink — Operation Rhino, associated with warden Ian Player.
The park has three public gates. From Hluhluwe town, the nearest is Memorial Gate on the Hluhluwe (northern) side — roughly 13–17 km, about 15–20 minutes' drive. Nyalazi Gate serves the iMfolozi (southern) section and is commonly approached from Mtubatuba / St Lucia on the R618. A third gate, Cengeni, also serves the iMfolozi section. Gate opening and closing times change with the seasons; check Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife before you go.
You can self-drive on the main park roads in a standard 2WD, or book a guided open-vehicle safari through a lodge or operator. Early morning and late afternoon are usually the best for game viewing.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park: False Bay
East of town, the R22 leads into iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of lakes, dunes, sand forest and coastline. The closest section for Hluhluwe visitors is False Bay, on the western shore of Lake St Lucia. It's a quieter corner than St Lucia village — rare sand forest, birding, and self-guided walking trails (including shorter forest strolls and longer loops of roughly 7 km and 9 km). Hippos and Nile crocodiles live in and around the lake; swimming is not recommended. Go early for birds and cooler walking.
St Lucia estuary boat cruise
St Lucia village (about 50–55 km / roughly 45–60 minutes from Hluhluwe, depending on your route) is the main gateway town for iSimangaliso and for estuary boat cruises — a classic way to see hippos and crocs from the water — and for drives toward the Eastern Shores and Cape Vidal. Combine a bush morning in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi with a wetland afternoon if you have a full day.
Mkhuze Game Reserve
uMkhuze (Mkhuze) Game Reserve, part of iSimangaliso, is about an hour north and a favourite with birders for its waterhole hides, pans and fig forest. Allow a full day.
Zululand Cat Conservation Project at Emdoneni
At Emdoneni Lodge (Bushlands, near Hluhluwe), the Zululand Cat Conservation Project offers daily educational tours to see cheetah, serval, caracal and African wildcat. The morning tour is listed at 10:30, and the afternoon tour includes feeding of the smaller cats (the cheetahs are not fed for public viewing). Book through the lodge and check the age and height rules for the cheetah section.
Zulu Croc reptile park
On the R22 (Old Sodwana Road), Zulu Croc is a crocodile and snake park with guided walks, shows, a putt-putt (mini-golf) course, and Rafiki's restaurant on site. It's on the same road as us, so it pairs easily with a tasting.
Birding
Northern Zululand / the Elephant Coast is serious bird country. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi alone is often credited with 400+ bird species, and the wetlands and sand forests around iSimangaliso add waterbirds, forest specials and migrants. False Bay is known for species such as African broadbill, Narina trogon, Livingstone's turaco and pink-throated twinspot, plus pink-backed pelicans on the lake.
Culture and local flavour
DumaZulu Traditional Village
Gooderson DumaZulu, on Bushlands Road near Hluhluwe, is one of the best-known cultural villages in the area. Guided experiences cover crafts, beadwork, traditional healing, stick fighting and dance. Shows are commonly offered at 08:15, 11:00 and 15:15 (about 90 minutes); the late-morning show is often paired with a traditional Zulu lunch. Book ahead (especially for Sundays — the village asks for Friday booking). Confirm current rates and times when you reserve.
Zulu Nyala cultural village
Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge also hosts a cultural village with interactive tours — tools, basketry, beadwork, medicine and marriage customs, plus music and dance. Shows are listed twice daily (10:00 and 13:45); book via the lodge.
Ilala Weavers
On the outskirts of town, among fever trees, Ilala Weavers has worked with Zulu weaving communities within about 200 km of Hluhluwe since the 1970s. Its gallery, Zulu cultural museum, restaurant and nursery make it an easy stop for handwoven baskets, beadwork and gifts that support local crafters.
Pineapple country
Hluhluwe is pineapple country. Local growers and the Hluhluwe Queen Pineapple Marketing Association describe this region as producing most of South Africa's fresh Queen pineapples — farm sources put the figure at around 95% within roughly a 20 km radius of town, with a small number of farming families. You'll see the fields along the R22.
Pineapple farm tours appear on regional attraction lists, but availability changes with farm schedules, so ask your lodge or the local tourism office what's running.
You can also take the pineapple home. We bottle a raw pineapple cider vinegar made with the mother, 500 ml for R80, and sell it at the distillery and online. It works anywhere a recipe calls for apple cider vinegar. Three easy ones, a vinaigrette, a braai marinade and quick pickled onions, are in our recipes post.
Zululand Distillers tour and tasting
That same pineapple story is why we're here. At Zululand Distillers we turn local Queen pineapples into small-batch spirits: Pineapple Gin, Amber Gin, barrel-aged Pineapple Brandy, Pineapple Liqueur, Pineapple & Blood Orange Liqueur, plus raw pineapple vinegar made with the mother. You can browse the shop online, or visit us on the R22.
Our Distillery Tour & Tasting is about one hour: from fruit to juice, ferment and still, then a tasting of the range. R200 per person, 18+ only. Tours start on the hour. Walk-ins are welcome; bookings are preferred. Lodge pickups and drop-offs can be arranged: R1,200 per group, in our small bus that seats up to 9 — just ask when you book.
- Hours: Monday–Saturday 09:00–17:00; Sunday 09:00–13:00
- Phone / WhatsApp: 078 596 3224
- Where: R22 (Sodwana Bay Road), 17 km (about 10 minutes' drive) from Hluhluwe town
Book the Distillery Tour & Tasting WhatsApp 078 596 3224
Day trips from Hluhluwe
Sodwana Bay
Follow the R22 past the distillery toward Mbazwana and Sodwana Bay — roughly 90 km / about 1.5 hours, depending on stops and road conditions. Sodwana is one of South Africa's top scuba and snorkelling destinations, with warm Indian Ocean water and coral reefs inside iSimangaliso. Even if you don't dive, the beach day is worth it.
Cape Vidal
From St Lucia, the Eastern Shores road leads to Cape Vidal — beaches, dune forest and wildlife along the way. It's a full day from Hluhluwe if you include the drive to St Lucia, park time and the beach.
Lake Jozini boat cruise
North toward Jozini, Lake Jozini (Pongolapoort Dam) is known for boat cruises with game and bird viewing from the water. It's a longer day trip from Hluhluwe (plan on the order of 1.5 hours each way, depending on your launch point). Book ahead.
Rainy-day, evening and family ideas
Hluhluwe weather can turn quickly in summer. Good indoor or under-cover options include:
- Our distillery tour (18+ only)
- Zulu Croc shows, walk-throughs and putt-putt, with Rafiki's for a meal
- Ilala Weavers gallery, museum and craft shopping on the edge of town
- A cultural village show (book the time that fits the weather)
- Your lodge: several local lodges offer spa treatments, and some arrange traditional Zulu dance performances, so ask at reception
For families, Zulu Croc's putt-putt, False Bay's short trail, Emdoneni's cat tours and a St Lucia boat cruise are easy wins. Our tour itself is adults only (18+), but children are welcome to come with their parents and wait at the distillery while the adults do the tour.
Where to eat and drink in Hluhluwe
Hluhluwe is a small town — most visitors eat at their lodge — but a few spots are worth knowing:
- Delishh — right next door to Zululand Distillers on the R22. A wide menu, from sushi and pizza to fish and steak, so it's an easy lunch or dinner before or after the distillery tour.
- Rafiki's at Zulu Croc on the R22 — convenient if you're combining reptiles, putt-putt and lunch.
- Ilala Weavers — gallery, museum, nursery and a restaurant on the outskirts of town; a relaxed stop for crafts and a meal.
- Lodge restaurants across Bushlands and the reserves — dinner, bed and breakfast packages are common; book if you're not staying there.
Small-town hours change, so call ahead for current menus and opening times.
Sample itineraries
One day in Hluhluwe
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| Early morning | Enter Memorial Gate for a self-drive or guided game drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi |
| Late morning | Exit the park and head back along the R22 |
| Afternoon | Distillery Tour & Tasting (book a slot on the hour; the tour is 18+, and children are welcome to wait at the distillery with their parents) — or swap for Emdoneni cats / Zulu Croc |
| After the tour | Lunch at Delishh, next door to the distillery |
| Late afternoon | False Bay for a short sand-forest walk and lake views, or a cultural village show if times align |
| Sunset | Back to your lodge — or St Lucia estuary cruise if you started very early and have the energy |
Two days
Day 1: Full morning in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi → afternoon cultural village (DumaZulu or Zulu Nyala) → evening at your lodge.
Day 2: Pineapple country and distillery tour in the morning → Lunch at Delishh, next door to the distillery → R22 to Sodwana for the beach or a dive, or St Lucia / Cape Vidal for wetlands and sea → return via False Bay if time allows.
Getting here
Hluhluwe sits just off the N2 in northern KwaZulu-Natal (Elephant Coast). Approximate distances and drive times (traffic and stops vary):
| From | Approx. distance | Approx. drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Durban | ~237 km | about 2.5–3 hours via the N2 |
| King Shaka International Airport | ~173 km | about 2–2.5 hours |
| Richards Bay | ~76 km | about 1 hour |
| St Lucia | ~53 km | about 45–60 minutes |
| Sodwana Bay | ~90 km via the R22 | about 1.5 hours |
| Mkhuze | ~63 km | about 1 hour |
| Memorial Gate (Hluhluwe-iMfolozi) | ~13–17 km from town | about 15–20 minutes |
We are on the R22 (Sodwana Bay Road), 17 km (about 10 minutes' drive) from Hluhluwe town — the same road you'd use toward False Bay and Sodwana. WhatsApp us on 078 596 3224 if you need a pin drop, or a lodge pickup and drop-off (R1,200 per group, in our small bus that seats up to 9).
FAQ
What are the best things to do in Hluhluwe?
A game drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, time in iSimangaliso (False Bay walks or a St Lucia boat cruise), a Zulu cultural village show, and something pineapple-related — a farm visit if available, plus our distillery tour and tasting on the R22.
How many days do you need in Hluhluwe?
One full day covers a park morning and an afternoon activity (culture, cats, crocs or the distillery). Two to three days is more comfortable if you want both bush and iSimangaliso, or a Sodwana beach day.
What is the best time of year to visit Hluhluwe?
The drier winter months (roughly May–September) are popular for game viewing — thinner bush, animals nearer water, and cooler days. Summer is greener and hotter, with afternoon storms; it's also when the coast and turtle season appeal. Northern KwaZulu-Natal is a malaria-risk area (risk generally higher in the warmer, wetter months) — speak to a travel clinic before you come.
Is it safe to self-drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park?
Yes — many visitors self-drive the main tourist roads in a sedan or SUV. Stay in your vehicle except at marked hide or picnic sites, keep to speed limits, and check seasonal gate times. A guided safari is a relaxed option if you're new to Big Five parks.
Can children join the tour?
Children can't take part in the tasting, so they aren't part of the tour itself. They're welcome to come with their parents and wait at the distillery while the adults do the tour.
Are you open on Sundays?
Yes. We are open Sunday 09:00–13:00 (and Monday–Saturday 09:00–17:00). Walk-ins are welcome, but booking ahead is a good idea. WhatsApp 078 596 3224.
Do you offer lodge pickups for the tour?
Yes. Lodge pickups and drop-offs can be arranged: R1,200 per group, in our small bus that seats up to 9 — just ask when you book. Mention your lodge name and preferred tour hour.
Visiting Hluhluwe? Book a tour
If you're planning things to do in Hluhluwe, we'd love to be one stop on your list — not the only one. Book the Distillery Tour & Tasting, shop pineapple spirits online, or WhatsApp us on 078 596 3224. Walk-ins welcome; bookings preferred. See you on the R22.