5-Day Eswatini Guided Self-Drive Tour-Hlane Mid Range

You need to go to the Waverley/Lundzi Border Post to enter Eswatini. Going through a small border post helps you have a more personal and peaceful visit. The convoy makes its way on gravel roads passing through a number of nearby villages in Eswatini. You are now seeing what life is like in the Swazi rural community.

Mlilwane offers an array of activities and adventures in the picturesque Ezulwini Valley (Valley of Heaven), flanked by the dramatic backdrop of mountains and the huge Usuthu Forest stretching into the distance.

Taking a 4x4 or a car with high clearance is better on the roads and trails you will face during your tour. Your guide can help you overcome all of the complications you might face in a 4x4.

Please check our company profile for a quick review of the main benefits of using your own car. A separate price will be given for your car rental.

Main Destination: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Eswatini)

Best Time To Visit: May to September (Dry season)

High Season: Dec to Jan and Jul to Aug (It never gets very busy)

Best Weather: June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

The Wildlife within Mlilwane WS: There are Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo, Leopard, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Cheetah, Buffalo, Hyena, Wild Dog in the Savanna.

Accommodation: Staying at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary - Rest Camp Hut

• This bush camp is camped inside Mlilwane WS.

Meals:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• Drinks are not part of the meal price.

After breakfast, we follow the tarred road from Mlilwane until we reach the largest granite pluton in the world (about 800m tall and it covers an area of about 16,500ha). We will travel on these small roads that go up and down the mountains. We are going to the Top of the World View overlook for coffee/tea. We carry on along the bending gravel roads.

Hlane Royal National Park was proclaimed as a National Park in 1967, following Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (1961), under the instruction of King Sobhuza ll. "Hlane" is the siSwati name for "wilderness". Hlane holds Eswatini’s greatest display of wildlife and is also important for its large scale in conservation, cultural and royal values. The species lists are impressive since they mention ancient hardwood areas, impressive big game and rich numbers of birds.

You will control your own four-wheel drive.

Main Destination: Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)

Best Time To Visit: May to September (Dry season)

High Season: Dec to Jan and Jul to Aug (It never gets very busy)

Best Weather: June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Animals and plants in Hlane Royal NP

Some of the animals found here are the Elephant, Giraffe, White Rhino, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Buffalo and Wild Dog.

Accommodation: Ndlovu Camp

• Cottage in the middle price range set inside Hlane Royal NP

Meals:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks are not part of the meal price.

Start the day with a sunrise drive (included in the tariff) that will include a visit to the lion camp. Hunters have plenty of space and freedom because the camp is very large. After dining, you could take some time to watch the elephants get some water at the nearby waterhole or go elsewhere in the reserve to explore by yourself.

You will control your own four-wheel drive.

Main Destination: Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)

Accommodation: Ndlovu Camp

• Cottage in the middle price range set inside Hlane Royal NP

Meals:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks are not part of the meal price.

Before, Bulembu was an asbestos mining city with about 10,000 inhabitants. Because of the hazards from asbestos, the mine shut down and life in the town stopped. In recent decades, the facilities were modernized and now the home serves about 1,000 orphans, a highly regarded school for them, a country lodge and bee honey farming.

Bulembu Country Lodge is situated at the base of Mount Emlembe which is the highest mountain in the country. The location is set among green hills and eucalyptus groves which add to the beauty of the area.

Before departing Eswatini, we go to see the Bulembu Mining Museum.

The pass between the Josefsdal border post and Barberton is the drive's highlight. Some would say the mountain pass is regarded as among the most beautiful drives in southern Africa. People describe it as "jaw-droppingly beautiful".

You will control your own four-wheel drive.

Main Destination: Bulembu (Town, Eswatini)

Accommodation: Bulembu Country Lodge

• Budget lodge located in Bulembu (Town)

Meals:

• Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
• Drinks are not part of the meal price.

The pass between the Josefsdal Border Post and Barberton is the drive's highlight. Some would say the mountain pass is regarded as among the most beautiful drives in southern Africa. People describe it as "jaw-droppingly
beautiful".

We gather into one group and go back to Pretoria.

Near the end of our trip, we bid farewell to our friends and return homeward. When you are comfortable, you can leave for your next place by yourself. Wishing you will remember the great experiences you had during your stay and that you’ll enjoy sharing the beautiful photos with everyone.

Main Destination: Pretoria (City, South Africa)

Accommodation: No accommodation (The tour has ended)

Meals:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks are not part of the meal price.

The tour has ended

• Additional roofing could be added for a supplement.
• Moving back to the airport can be set up for an additional charge.