How far is everything from the lodge?

Approximate one-way drive times in a normal car. Tap an activity to read more.

  1. Sand forest walks, birding & wildlifeSuni RidgeOn site0 km
  2. False Bay, Lake St LuciaiSimangaliso±10 min10 km
  3. Mini golf & reptilesZulu Croc±15 min12 km
  4. Zulu cultural experiencesAround Hluhluwe±20–30 min15–30 km
  5. Wild cat experienceEmdoneni±25 min25 km
  6. Big Five game driveHluhluwe-iMfolozi Park±40 min35 km
  7. Elephant encounterBayete Zulu · daily 11:00±40 min40 km
  8. CanoeingMuzi Pan±50 min50 km
  9. Whale watching & estuarySt Lucia · Jun–Nov±1 hr65 km
  10. Diving, snorkelling & beachSodwana Bay±1 hr 2095 km

Allow extra time for gravel roads, wildlife on the road and park gate queues. Not driving yourself? See transfers.

Elephant crossing the road on a game drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park

Big Five game drive in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi

±40 min · 35 kmHalf or full dayWe can arrange

Africa's oldest proclaimed game reserve and the highlight of any stay. Head out in an open safari vehicle with an experienced, qualified guide who knows where the animals are, or take your own car.

  • Lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino
  • Best in the early morning, when gates open
  • Ask us to book a guided drive

Ask us to book it

At the lodge

Right on your doorstep

Guide leading a guest along a sand forest trail near Leopard Walk Lodge

Guided sand forest walk

On siteBook at reception

Walk the rare Suni Ridge sand forest with our friendly local guide, Mluke Mabika. Learn the trees, tracks and birds, and look out for nyala, suni, red duiker and zebra along the way.

Green malkoha perched in the sand forest at Suni Ridge

Birding in the sand forest

On site350+ species

More than 350 bird species have been recorded at Suni Ridge. Novice or serious birder, you will find plenty in the dense sand forest canopy, often without leaving the lodge.

Zebras grazing beside the cottages at Leopard Walk Lodge

Wildlife around the lodge

On siteFree

You don't have to leave to see game. Nyala, impala, zebra, wildebeest, suni and duiker wander past the rooms, and if you are lucky, a leopard. At night, look up for the Milky Way far from city lights.

Under 30 minutes

Quick outings close by

Forest Lodge at False Bay on the shore of Lake St Lucia, iSimangaliso Wetland Park

False Bay, Lake St Lucia

±10 min · 10 kmSelf-drive

The closest part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Picnic on the shore of Lake St Lucia, walk the short sand forest trails, and watch for waterbirds, hippos and plains game.

Mini golf course at Zulu Croc near Hluhluwe

Mini golf & reptiles at Zulu Croc

±15 min · 12 kmFamily friendly

A fun change of pace. Play a round of putt-putt, see the crocodiles and snakes, and stay for lunch at the restaurant.

Traditional Zulu dancers performing near Hluhluwe

Zulu cultural experiences

±20–30 minAsk us

Hluhluwe lies in the heart of Zululand. Meet local communities, watch traditional dancing, and learn about Zulu customs, crafts and food.

Cheetah at the Emdoneni cat rehabilitation centre near Hluhluwe

Wild cat experience at Emdoneni

±25 min · 25 kmGuided tour

Get close to cheetah, caracal, serval and African wildcat at the Emdoneni rehabilitation centre, and learn how injured and orphaned cats are cared for and released.

40 minutes and more

Worth the drive

Guest touching a hand-reared elephant at Bayete Zulu

Elephant encounter at Bayete Zulu

±40 min · 40 kmDaily at 11:00

Meet two gentle elephants that were orphaned and hand-reared, and now roam freely on a 2,500-hectare private reserve. We can book this for you.

Guests canoeing on Muzi Pan among water lilies

Canoeing at Muzi Pan

±50 min · 50 kmGuided

Paddle the quiet Muzi Pan wetland with local guide Themba, past waterbirds, hippos and crocodiles, and hear how Zulu communities use the wetland's plants.

Humpback whale breaching off the coast of St Lucia

Whale watching from St Lucia

±1 hr · 65 kmJun – Nov

Humpback whales pass close to the iSimangaliso coast every winter. Licensed boat trips launch from St Lucia, where you can also cruise the estuary to see hippos and crocodiles.

White sand beach and warm ocean at Sodwana Bay

Diving, snorkelling & beach at Sodwana Bay

±1 hr 20 · 95 kmFull day

Some of the best scuba diving in South Africa, warm clear water for snorkelling and long white beaches. Leave early to make the most of the day.

See it all on a map

The lodge is on the road between Hluhluwe town and False Bay, inside the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Full driving directions are on our Directions & Maps page.

Open in Google Maps

Go early

Animals are most active in the cool early morning. Park gates open at sunrise.

Let us book it

We arrange game drives, the elephant encounter and guided walks. Ask when you book or at reception.

Mix it up

Pair a morning safari with an afternoon at False Bay, or a beach day with a sunset back at the lodge.

Base yourself in the middle of it all

8 rooms in the sand forest, Bed & Breakfast or Dinner, Bed & Breakfast.

Check availability WhatsApp 083 698 7318

Frequently asked questions

How far is Leopard Walk Lodge from Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park?

About 40 minutes by car (roughly 35 km) to the park's Memorial Gate.

Can you arrange game drives and activities?

Yes. We arrange guided game drives in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the elephant encounter at Bayete Zulu and guided sand forest walks. Let us know when you book or ask at reception.

How far is the lodge from St Lucia and Sodwana Bay?

St Lucia is about an hour's drive (roughly 65 km). Sodwana Bay is about 1 hour 20 minutes (roughly 95 km).

What can we do without leaving the lodge?

Take a guided walk through the Suni Ridge sand forest, go birding (350+ species recorded), relax at the pool, and watch for nyala, impala, zebra and suni around the lodge.