It main source is in KwaMnyathi area in Vryheid and flows through most areas in Zululand till it confluence with White Umfolozi near Hlabisa The river is called "black man nearby you" because of the dark (black) stones which are found along its course.

Imfolozi means "zig-zag", which reflects the pattern the river follows along its course.

It flows through Swart-Mfolozi, Ceza,[1] Nongoma and eventually has a confluence with the White Umfolozi near the southeastern boundary of Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve to form the Umfolozi River.

[2] Empangeni and Mtubatuba are two major areas related to the Lower Umfolozi region.

Zwide, chief of king of the very powerful Ndwandwe tribe had his own domain north and east of the Black Umfolozi River.