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
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5
Overview
Its small size in the region and continent does not prevent Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, from offering visitors plenty of great attractions and activities. Big Game Parks is leading conservation and the eco-tourism industry in Eswatini as the top eco-tourism place in the country. You need to bring your own fully equipped 4×4, supplies, water and wood.
Highlights
- Can start any day
- Guided self-drive
- Participation camping
- Can be customized
Itinerary
When entering Eswatini, you use the Waverley/Lundzi Border Post. Some smaller entry points in Eswatini help you enjoy a more personalized and calm experience. The group drives along small country routes that run past some Eswatini villages. You are now seeing how people in the rural community in Swaziland live.
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.
A 4x4 or a vehicle tall enough to easily go over fences works best on the roads and trails of this tour. Your guide will always be prepared to deal with any 4x4 tasks that come your way.
For a quick overview of the benefits, please see our company profile. A separate price quote will be made for the rental of your vehicle.
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)
Animals in Mlilwane WS
Among them are Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo, Leopard, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Cheetah, Buffalo, Hyena and Wild Dog.
Accommodation:
Budget camping
- Mlilwane WS is protected within its boundaries.
Food and Drinks
- Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
- The price does not cover drinks.
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is Eswatini's pioneer conservation area, a shining example of what is possible if passion, vision and action fuse. The name "Mlilwane" ("Little Fire" in siSwati) was derived from the numerous fires started by lightning strikes on Mlilwane Hill but now holds significance as the little fire that ignited the conservation movement in Eswatini. Because of the different habitats, Mlilwane is home to many types of animals. It is possible to explore for long periods in the 4560 Ha sanctuary because dangerous animals are mostly lacking.
After breakfast, we will drive to the top of the mountain for incredible views (weather permitting). Find ways to discover things by yourself.
- Mlilwane or book a game drive or guided walk (excluded from the tariff),
– The Swazi Candles Centre
- Mantenga Cultural Village.
You will bring your own vehicle for the event.
You can enjoy tasty meals at the restaurant which is here for your pleasure.
Main Destination:
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Eswatini)
Accommodation:
Budget camping
- Mlilwane WS is protected within its boundaries.
Food and Drinks
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- The price does not cover drinks.
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). On those roads, the TRD will take us on small gravel paths going up and down the mountains. We will pause at the Top of the World View lookout point on the way and have some coffee/tea.
Hlane Royal NP was proclaimed as a National Park in 1967, following Mlilwane (1961), under the instruction of King Sobhuza ll. "Hlane" is the siSwati name for "wilderness". Eswatini’s largest herds of game live in Hlane which also conserves many natural resources and is rich in royal and cultural heritage. There are also places with a fantastic list of species, especially old hardwood forests, major game animals and widespread bird species.
Tonight you will pitch your own tent while the guide collects firewood. The on-site restaurant can spoil you with a great meal.
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)
Wild animals in Hlane Royal NP
Some of the important animals found here are Elephant, Giraffe, White Rhino, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Buffalo and Wild Dog.
Accommodation:
Budget camping
- Within Hlane Royal NP
Food and Drinks
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- The price does not cover drinks.
On the lowveld, Hlane is a popular spot offering views of ancient trees, big game and many birds. The 22,000-ha park which used to be popular for hunting, is famous today for hosting large populations of game animals, with lion, elephant, vultures and marabou stork among them.
This morning you join a guided morning walk of 4 hours (included). While on the guided walk, you want to experience the bush and observe African wildlife living their own lives. When looking for wildlife, the coolest times of the day are the best because it will be more active then. Different types of animals may be spotted. While observing the animals, your guide will tell you interesting animal facts to learn more about the animal's behaviour.
We finish at a bird hide and I always wonder which animals or birds we will see this time.
You can enjoy tasty meals at the restaurant which is here for your pleasure.
Main Destination:
Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)
Accommodation:
Budget camping
- Within Hlane Royal NP
Food and Drinks
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- The price does not cover drinks.
Start the day with a sunrise drive (included in the tariff) that will include a visit to the lion camp. Having a large camp means the lions can go hunting in a natural environment. Afterward, you have the opportunity to view the animals sipping water at the waterhole near the restaurant or go for an independent exploration around Hlane.
You will bring your own vehicle for the event.
You can enjoy tasty meals at the restaurant which is here for your pleasure.
Main Destination:
Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)
Accommodation:
Budget camping
- Within Hlane Royal NP
Food and Drinks
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- The price does not cover drinks.
Bulembu used to have a large population of over 10,000 who worked in the asbestos industry. The health risks linked to asbestos resulted in closing the mine which halted most activities in the town. Today, plastic waste is much less at Home of Hope as older homes were improved and the facilities now include about 1,000 orphans, an internationally known school, a lodge and honey production.
Bulembu Country Lodge is at the base of Mount Emlembe, Swaziland’s highest mountain. There are lush green hills and groves of eucalyptus trees all around the town which add to the lovely atmosphere.
While saying our goodbyes to Eswatini, we see the Bulembu Mining Museum.
The pass between the Josefsdal border post and Barberton is the drive's highlight. This mountain pass is known to be, quite possibly, one of the most beautiful drives in all of southern Africa. People describe it as "jaw-droppingly beautiful".
You will bring your own vehicle for the event.
Main Destination:
Bulembu (Town, Eswatini)
Accommodation:
Budget camping
Food and Drinks
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- The price does not cover drinks.
The pass between the Josefsdal Border Post and Barberton is the drive's highlight. This mountain pass is known to be, quite possibly, one of the most beautiful drives in all of southern Africa. People describe it as "jaw-droppingly
beautiful".
We travel together in a group back to Pretoria.
As it gets time for us to leave, we bid farewell to our friends and take the trip back home. Once you finish in the current location, you will head to the next by yourself when you want to travel. Hope that when you look back at the memories, you will always remember how wonderful our time with you was.
Main Destination:
Pretoria (City, South Africa)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (The tour is now finished.)
Food and Drinks
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- The price does not cover drinks.
The tour is now finished.
- Additional space can be provided at an additional price.
- Organizing a transfer from the hotel to the airport does incur an extra fee.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- • Park fees (For non-residents)
- • All activities (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All accommodation (Unless listed as upgrade)
- • Camping equipment
- • All transportation (Unless labeled as optional)
- • All Taxes/VAT
- • Meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
Cost Excludes
- • Rental vehicle (US$ 100-250 per day)
- • International flights (From/to home)
- • Airport transfer to and from the destination
- • Providing more accommodation before and after the journey
- • Sleeping bag
- • Bath towels
- • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- • Government instituting an increase to taxation and/or fees for parks
- • Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- • Drinks
FAQs
This tour provides the fun of driving yourself as well as the support of guides, as you travel to Eswatini’s wonderful natural spots. Pretoria, South Africa, serves as the starting and ending point for the journey which includes camping in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Hlane Royal National Park, plus a journey to the old mining town of Bulembu. It is great for people who want to get close to nature and enjoy camping with support.
At Eswatini Hlane & Mlilwane Guided Self-Drive Camp, you’re given a designated area in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary or in Hlane Royal National Park to camp. All sites have comfortable essentials such as open tent areas, shared washing spaces and cooking zones for everyone. In Bulembu, you will stay at a more organized guesthouse to rest up before you go home to South Africa. It allows you to see the different scenery and kind hospitality of Eswatini.
There are many chances to see wildlife roaming free at the Hlane & Mlilwane Guided Self-Drive Camp. You might see zebras, antelopes, warthogs and various birds in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary as you tour around the area on foot or by car. Hlane Royal National Park contains elephants, lions, rhinos and many kinds of birds. Ensuring you join guided excursions and can self-drive, allows you to watch out for animals at any time.
Camping equipment is generally given as part of the tour for the Eswatini Hlane & Mlilwane Guided Self-Drive Camp. Put tents, sleeping pads or soft mattresses and the simplest cooking supplies in the car. Even so, it’s wise to pack your own sleeping bag and things like flashlights, insect repellant and reusable water bottles. having someone guide you means you can get ready for your adventure and keep your time.
Yes, the program has activities that introduce visitors to cultural traditions. Some highlights are seeing traditional Swazi villages, browsing local craft markets and visiting the town of Bulembu which supports its community. You will get to know some local people, discover Swazi traditions and try traditional meals. Being in the camps in either Mlilwane or Malolotja allows guests to explore the true heritage of the country.
If you are going to Eswatini Hlane & Mlilwane Guided Self-Drive Camp, bring breathable clothes for warm days, a few layers for when it gets cold and good walking shoes. Carry a sleeping bag, insect repellant, sunscreen, reusable water bottles and a flashlight or headlamp. A camera and binoculars can improve the way you see wildlife. A driver’s license, passport and travel insurance papers should be carried to avoid delays during your trip.
Map
