Trip Info
-
open-sided 4x4 vehicle & self-drive
-
Suitable for solo travelers and groups
-
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
-
Can start any day
-
This tour starts and ends in Pretoria
-
Guided self-drive
-
English
-
Meals included
-
5
Overview
In short, here is Africa. That old saying might be cliché but it still perfectly describes what Eswatini is. Being one of Africa’s rare monarchies, this little nation holds within it an extraordinary mix of riches. Rhinos in the wild Lowveld and rare birds up in the rugged highveld can be sought out by nature lovers. The company is making a big difference in conservation because it is the leading eco-tourism destination. Enjoy tasty meals at the on-site restaurants for your stay. Organize to bring your own 4×4 vehicle with you.
Highlights
- Can start any day
- Guided self-drive
- Mid-range tour
- Can be customized
- A transfer from and back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost
Itinerary
The Waverley/Lundzi Border Post is the entry checkpoint into Eswatini. Going through a smaller border lets you experience a more leisurely and friendly entry into the country. The group drives on small rural roads through some of the villages in Eswatini. This is the first time you get to see and experience the rural life of the Swazi people.
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 4-wheeled vehicle or a car with good ground clearance will be the best choice for the roads and trails you will travel on this tour. Be at ease, your guide has the necessary knowledge to assist you in any 4x4 related situations you experience.
Please check our company profile to find out the benefits of using your own vehicle. A separate quotation for your rental will be given to you.
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)
Existence of wild animals in Mlilwane WS
Some of the animals included are Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo, Leopard, White Rhino, Black Rhino, Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Cheetah, Buffalo, Hyena and Wild Dog.
Accommodation:
Rest Camp Hut is found at the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Mlilwane contains a mid-range bush camp.
The Food & Drinks Options:
- Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
- Cost of beverages is extra.
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. A wide variety of habitats in Mlilwane ensure that lots of species can thrive there. Due to the lack of dangerous animals, visitors are able to enjoy plenty of time exploring inside the 4560 hectare space.
After breakfast, we will drive to the top of the mountain for incredible views (weather permitting). Try to find and learn about different things by yourself.
- Mlilwane or book a game drive or guided walk (excluded from the tariff),
- The Swazi Candles Centre is based in.
- Mantenga Cultural Village.
Carry passengers in a four-wheel drive vehicle of your own.
A restaurant on the property lets you enjoy tasty meals.
Main Destination:
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Eswatini)
Accommodation:
Rest Camp Hut is found at the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Mlilwane contains a mid-range bush camp.
The Food & Drinks Options:
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- Cost of beverages is extra.
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). Next we’ll take some very small gravel roads as we go up and down the mountains. Top of the World View is where we will stop and enjoy some hot coffee or tea. We proceed on the twisting gravel tracks.
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". This nature reserve has Eswatini’s biggest collection of game, saves a lot of natural resources and holds great cultural and royal value. An interesting part of the area is its collection of impressive ancient forests, well-known big game animals and a great variety of birds.
Carry passengers in a four-wheel drive vehicle of your own.
A restaurant on the property lets you enjoy tasty meals.
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)
Animal species in Hlane Royal NP
Elephant, Giraffe, White Rhino, Zebra, Wildebeest, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Hyena, Black Rhino, Cheetah, Buffalo and Wild Dog.
Accommodation:
Ndlovu Camp
- The cottage is found inside the Hlane Royal National Park.
The Food & Drinks Options:
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- Cost of beverages is extra.
Hlane Forest Reserve is a typical lowveld place that has some of the world’s biggest game, hardwood forests and many species of birds. As one of the Kingdom’s big game parks, it remains home to the our largest populations of lion, elephant, vultures and marabou stork.
This morning you join a guided morning walk of 4 hours (included). When you are on the guided walk, the goal is to feel the surroundings and spot African wildlife where they normally live. Early morning and late evening are the times to see the most wildlife as these are the times when most animals are active. There is a good chance to encounter different species of animals. While observing the animals, your guide will tell you interesting animal facts to learn more about the animal's behaviour.
Finally, we reach a bird hide and see what animals or birds happen to be around.
A restaurant on the property lets you enjoy tasty meals.
Main Destination:
Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)
Accommodation:
Ndlovu Camp
- The cottage is found inside the Hlane Royal National Park.
The Food & Drinks Options:
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- Cost of beverages is extra.
Start the day with a sunrise drive (included in the tariff) that will include a visit to the lion camp. The lion camp is built to give the lions plenty of area to hunt as they need. You can then watch the animals coming to drink water at the nearby watering hole or explore more of Hlane by yourself.
Carry passengers in a four-wheel drive vehicle of your own.
A restaurant on the property lets you enjoy tasty meals.
Main Destination:
Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)
Accommodation:
Ndlovu Camp
- The cottage is found inside the Hlane Royal National Park.
The Food & Drinks Options:
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- Cost of beverages is extra.
Before, Bulembu had a booming asbestos mine with around 10,000 people living there. Because asbestos turned out to be very dangerous for everyone, the mine was officially shut down and daily life in the town came to a stop. A few years afterward, the infrastructure was improved and today the residents include about 1,000 orphans, a well-known school for children, a tourist lodge and operations supporting honey farming.
Bulembu Country Lodge is located near the base of Mount Emlembe which is Swaziland’s tallest mountain. The town is bordered by lovely green hills and eucalyptus forests which make the area especially charming.
Our last stop in Eswatini takes us to see the Bulembu Mining Museum.
The pass between the Josefsdal border post and Barberton is the drive's highlight. Many people believe that the exciting mountain pass is one of the most beautiful drives to experience in southern Africa. People describe it as "jaw-droppingly beautiful".
Carry passengers in a four-wheel drive vehicle of your own.
Main Destination:
Bulembu (Town, Eswatini)
Accommodation:
Bulembu Country Lodge
- Budget lodge located in Bulembu (Town)
The Food & Drinks Options:
- Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
- Cost of beverages is extra.
The pass between the Josefsdal Border Post and Barberton is the drive's highlight. Many people believe that the exciting mountain pass is one of the most beautiful drives to experience in southern Africa. People describe it as "jaw-droppingly
beautiful".
All of us return to Pretoria in a line of vehicles.
As we finish our trip, we say farewell to the friends we met and travel to the place we call home. Departure to your following destination will be by yourself, whenever you feel you can manage it. We hope that your amazing experiences with us will stay with you and you have plenty of pictures to share as souvenirs.
Main Destination:
Pretoria (City, South Africa)
Accommodation:
No accommodation (Tour is over)
The Food & Drinks Options:
- Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
- Cost of beverages is extra.
Tour is over
- Extra accommodation can be set up, but there will be an additional fee.
- extra money, arrangements for a transfer back to the airport can be set up.
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$ 100-250 per day)
- • International flights (From/to home)
- • A driver will take you to and from the airport at your start and end dates.
- • Staying somewhere extra before check-in and at the end of the trip
- • Tips (Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- • Personal items (Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- • Governments boosting taxes and/or fees for visiting parks
- • Some meals (As specified in the day-by-day section)
- • Drinks
FAQs
The tour takes you through wildlife spots and cultural places in Eswatini and begins and ends in Pretoria, South Africa. It gives you the opportunity to explore at your own pace in Eswatini’s beautiful scenery, as local experts show you the main spots of Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Hlane Royal National Park. The tour allows you to combine exploration on your own, in a vehicle, with the help and safety of a guide and ensures a unique and personal trip.
As you drive around on the tour, you’ll stay in atmospheric hotels that fit the area’s environment. Both Mlilwane and Hlane have eco-friendly camps and lodges with personal bathrooms. The lodges match their surroundings, giving visitors a peaceful and comfortable photo safari. You’ll find yourself in old-world guesthouses in Bulembu which show off the friendly nature and values held by locals.
There are plenty of wildlife sights during the guided self-drive tour in both Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Hlane Royal National Park. You can see zebras, antelopes, hippos and many birds in Mlilwane and often spot them on walks or while riding in the safari vehicle. Many visitors come for Hlane Royal National Park’s large animal population, including elephants, lions, rhinos and many bird species. Self-driving part of the tour, followed by guided excursions, allows you to view lots of wildlife in their native areas.
Having minimal driving experience will help, though most drivers with common licenses are able to take part in the Eswatini Hlane & Mlilwane Guided Self-Drive Tour. The trip is properly organized and you will receive help from the guides navigating the country and getting familiar with Eswatini’s road rules. The cars are selected for the conditions and your trip plan will be clear and easy to follow.
Besides wildlife, the tour lets you enjoy an authentic cultural experience. You will see community villages, watch local crafts being made and learn about the country’s special traditions. Notable features are working with local artisans, exploring Bulembu’s community projects and tasting traditional Skhumi meals. Being guided means you can learn more about the culture, way of life and customs of the Swazi community.
For visiting Eswatini on this tour, bring clothes that are comfortable and appropriate for any weather, remembering to bring light clothes for the hotter days and a jacket for the cooler evenings. Wear good walking shoes for any walks in the game parks or when visiting villages. Sun protection, an insect repellent, a reusable water bottle, a pair of binoculars and a camera should not be forgotten when traveling outdoors. Bringing along your driver’s license, travel insurance and the appropriate papers for self-drive is a good idea too.
Map
