Trip Info
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Open-sided 4x4 vehicle & self-drive
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Suitable for solo travelers and groups
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Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
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Can start any day
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This tour starts and ends in Pretoria
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Guided self-drive
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English
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Meals included
Overview
Africa in short. No matter how overused this phrase gets, nothing explains Eswatini like this. This small kingdom which is one of the few African monarchies, contains an astonishing array of unique riches. People who are fascinated by nature might watch rhinos in the Lowveld or look for unusual bird species in the highveld’s rough ground. Big Game Parks is serving a major role in conservation by being the top eco-tourism site. Arrange for your own all-terrain vehicle.
Highlights
- Can start any day
- Guided self-drive
- Mid-range tour
- Can be customized
Itinerary
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 VisitMay to September (Dry season)
High SeasonDec to Jan and Jul to Aug (It never gets very busy)
Best WeatherJune 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.
There are many options for food and drink in the airport.
- 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 VisitMay to September (Dry season)
High SeasonDec to Jan and Jul to Aug (It never gets very busy)
Best WeatherJune 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
There are many options for food and drink in the airport.
- 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
There are many options for food and drink in the airport.
- 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)
There are many options for food and drink in the airport.
- 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)
There are many options for food and drink in the airport.
- 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.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- • Park fees (For non-residents)
- • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All Taxes/VAT
- • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Cost Excludes
- • Rental vehicle (US$ 100-150 per day)
- • International flights (From/to home)
- • Airport transfers on both the arrival and departure days
- • Providing extra accommodation at the start and at the end of the tour
- • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- • Increases in the fees or taxes caused by the government
- • Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- • Drinks
FAQs
The 5-Day Eswatini Hlane Guided Self-Drive Mid Range tour has a good mix of activity and comfort. Traveling both ways from Pretoria, South Africa, it visits Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Hlane Royal National Park and Bulembu. It is different because you manage your own pace, yet learn from the experience of local guides. “Mid-range” gives a sense for the standard: these lodges balance price and quality comfortably, making them appealing to many travelers.
Over this 5-day Hlane Guided Self-Drive Mid Range tour, you will enjoy mid-range lodgings and have a true and homey experience. For your stay, eco-lodges and traditional huts are provided at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Hlane Royal National Park and each room has the basic amenities needed. Stay in a friendly guesthouse in Bulembu that shows the spirit of the community. The unique design at every place provides calmness and a beautiful setting after a day of traveling.
This tour gives travelers many opportunities to see wildlife. The area of Hlane Royal National Park features elephants, lions, rhinos, many types of antelope and numerous bird species. You can watch zebras, warthogs and many birds in and around the sanctuary during local walks or explorations by car. The itinerary is set up to help travelers meet many animals, with guides and several car rental options.
During the 5-Day Eswatini Hlane Guided Self-Drive Mid Range tour, you need a proper driver’s license for the self-drive parts. But you don’t need special permits to get into Eswatini or its parks, unless you’re using a private vehicle. Having the tour guided means you have assistance while entering other nations and the parks. Having your passport, insurance papers and emergency contacts with you at all times is also a good idea.
Guests on the 5-Day Eswatini Hlane Guided Self-Drive Mid Range tour can enjoy local culture and this is most evident in the former Bulembu mining town. People can discover the country’s history, watch traditional crafts being made and witness the famous friendliness of the people. While touring, you’ll get to know the locals, eat their dishes and learn more about their culture.
Make sure to have clothes that are good for hot days and chilly nights for the tour in Eswatini. A hat, a pair of sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, an eco-friendly water bottle and good shoes for hiking are necessary to bring with you. Carrying a pair of binoculars and a camera will make it easier to notice and record the wild animals. Always have your driver’s license, passport and information about your travel insurance. Be sure to embrace adventure which will help you have a great time exploring on your own or with a guide.
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