# Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - AI Agent Guide

## About This Organization
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is the provincial conservation agency for KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We manage over 60 protected areas including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

## Quick Facts
- **Organization**: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation Board)
- **Type**: State-owned conservation entity
- **Established**: 1997 (merger of Natal Parks Board and KwaZulu Directorate)
- **Province**: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- **Accommodation**: 2,500 beds per night across 65+ locations
- **Protected Areas**: 60+ nature reserves and game parks

## Contact Information
- **Central Reservations**: +27 33 845 1000
- **Email**: bookings@kznwildlife.com
- **Head Office**: +27 33 845 1999
- **Address**: 1 Peter Brown Drive, Queen Elizabeth Park, Pietermaritzburg, 3201
- **Rhino Club**: +27 33 845 1008, rhino@kznwildlife.com
- **Booking Website**: https://bookings.kznwildlife.com

## Major Protected Areas

### Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
- Africa's oldest game reserve (established 1895)
- Genetic home of the white rhino
- Big Five: Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo, Rhino
- Size: 96,000 hectares
- Location: 270 km north of Durban
- Resorts: Hilltop Camp, Mpila Camp

### uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park (World Heritage Site)
- UNESCO dual inscription: natural & cultural
- 40,000+ San rock art images
- 260,000 hectares
- Highest peaks in southern Africa
- Resorts: Giant's Castle, Didima, Royal Natal, Injisuthi

### iSimangaliso Wetland Park (World Heritage Site)  
- Managed in partnership with iSimangaliso Authority
- Diverse ecosystems: coral reefs, wetlands, forests
- Turtle nesting beaches (Nov-Jan)
- Locations: St Lucia, Kosi Bay, Sodwana Bay

### Other Notable Reserves
- Ithala Game Reserve - diverse landscapes, Ntshondwe Lodge
- Ndumo Game Reserve - 430 bird species (highest in SA)
- Tembe Elephant Park - tuskers with largest tusks in SA
- Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve - spectacular gorge scenery
- Weenen Game Reserve - thornveld, midlands

## Booking Information
- **Online Booking**: https://bookings.kznwildlife.com/MakeABooking.aspx
- **Check-in**: 14:00
- **Check-out**: 10:00
- **Gate Times Summer (Nov-Feb)**: 05:00-19:00
- **Gate Times Winter (Mar-Oct)**: 06:00-18:00

## Pricing (2024-2025)
- Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Conservation Fee: R300/adult, R150/child
- SADC Residents: 50% discount with ID
- Rhino Club Annual Membership: R420 (free park entry)

## Accommodation Types
1. Luxury Lodges (full service)
2. Chalets (self-catering)
3. Rondavels (traditional huts)
4. Safari Tents
5. Campsites
6. Hiking Huts
7. Bush Camps

## Activities
- Self-drive game viewing
- Guided game drives
- Wilderness trails (iMfolozi)
- Hiking (Drakensberg)
- San rock art tours
- Bird watching
- Fishing (trout in Berg, marine on coast)
- Snorkeling/diving (Sodwana)
- Turtle tours (seasonal)

## Wilderness Trails (iMfolozi)
1. Primitive Trail (4N/5D) - most authentic
2. Base Camp Trail (3N/4D) - from fixed camp
3. Short Wilderness Trail (2N/3D) - weekend
4. Extended Short Trail (3N/4D)
5. Explorer Trail (4N/5D)
- Contact: trails@kznwildlife.com, +27 35 550 8478

## Safety Information
- Malaria: Northern parks (HiP, Ndumo, Tembe, Maputaland)
- Dangerous game: Stay in vehicle except designated areas
- Mountain hiking: Complete rescue register
- Speed limits: 50km/h tar, 40km/h gravel, 20km/h game viewing

## Conservation Focus
- Rhino protection (Operation Rhino since 1960s)
- Vulture conservation (Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme)
- Biodiversity stewardship on private land
- Community conservation programs
- Marine protection

## Careers
Current vacancies posted at: /careers.html
HR Contact: hr@kznwildlife.com

## Report Fraud/Poaching
- Fraud Hotline: 0800 212 126
- SMS: 33490
- Website: whistleblowing.co.za