Eswatini
The Kingdom of Eswatini Tour

(Approximate driving time today is 4.5 hours)

You will be met on arrival at 10:00am OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg and transfer by road to Eswatini and Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary. There’s a time to explore reserve and observe wildlife on foot. There are several different trails and, depending upon your time of arrival, the walk can be as long or as short as you choose. In the evening there’s a group dinner to mark the start of your Swaziland adventure. Overnight at Mlilwane Rest Camp (D)

This morning we take a gentle walk on the reserve’s Hippo Trail, around the main hippo pool and through the central plains. Expect to see hippo, wildebeest, impala and zebra. There’s also time to learn about the reserve and visit the education boards dotted around the camp. In the afternoon we visit Mantenga to learn about Swazi culture and the layout of a traditional village. Village guides will explain the roles of the chief and his wives, their sons and daughters and the sangoma – traditional healer. Overnight at Mlilwane Rest Camp (BLD)

Today is at leisure to enjoy Milwane Sanctuary. Optional activities paid locally include horse-riding, mountain biking, or the 3 – 4 hour hike to execution rock. Or you can choose just to wander in the reserve close to the camp. Overnight at Mlilwane Rest Camp (BLD)

Drive to Malandela’s and have a quick tour of eSwatini’ s number 1 performance venue. Continue to Gone Rural for a community development tour run by an NGO empowering local women through weaving. Here, learn about Swazi handicrafts in the workshop and the women behind these striking products that are loved all over the world. At lunchtime drive to Swazi Candles Complex where you will have lunch and later see other items produced by local artisans. Later this afternoon we return to Malolotja Nature Reserve in time for the sunset over the mountains. Overnight Malolotja Nature Reserve Cabins (BLD)

After an early breakfast at Malolotja, meet the hiking guide at 8am. Transfer to Logwaja view point to start the hike. Hike to the highest waterfalls in Eswatini (100m). The hike is about 4 hours in duration. On our return, there will be time to freshen up before a visit to Ngwenya Glass Complex where you will enjoy a light lunch. Spend time visiting the Ngwenya Glass Factory and observe the amazing glass blowing process as well as exploring the beautiful products produced by Eswatini’s artisans from bags,chocolate to gin! Return to Malolotja in time for sunset and dinner. Overnight Malolotja Nature Reserve Cabins (BLD)

Note – if you prefer to stay at the nature reserve instead of embarking on the hike then please let us know.

Enjoy the morning skies before breakfast at Malolotja where you will see beautiful views over the mountains. Drive to Maguga Dam – eSwatini’s largest reservoir where you will be able to take pictures and enjoy the views whilst learning about the history and impact of the dam. Pass by imposing Sibebe Rock, the second largest exposed granite rock in the World and on to Ezulwini to Mantenga Lodge for lunch with impressive views. After lunch head to the cultural village and visit the water fall before visiting the cultural village, observing male and female dances key to Swazi culture and a walk around the homestead to learn about local traditions. Overnight Mountain Inn (BLD)

Today we travel to Mkhaya Game Reserve, an area of acacia-dominated thornveld in the south and broadleaf sandveld in the north. Mkhaya is the SiSwati name for Knobthorn acacia. Travel within the reserve is by open Land Rovers along a network of intersecting game tracks, or on foot, offering intimate wildlife encounters. The reserve is criss-crossed by dry riverbeds and dotted with waterholes and supports three of the Big Five – leopard, buffalo and rhino. Mkhaya was set up as a breeding program for endangered species such as black rhino, and a sighting of this elusive species normally high up on most visitors’ lists, so keep your eyes peeled. A host of other game, such as giraffe, hippo, crocodile, roan and sable antelope, tsessebe, eland, kudu, ostrich and vervet monkey are also regularly observed. Birdlife too is abundant, and rare Narina Trogan can sometimes be seen in camp along with the more common species such as crested guinea fowl. During your stay game drives are offered in the early morning before breakfast and also in the late afternoon. After breakfast there is often the opportunity to take a walking safari and learn how to track wildlife. At other times there is the chance to sit at Kirky Hide to see what comes along to drink. You never know what to expect… Overnight at Stone Camp or similar. (BLD)

Another full day to enjoy the Mkhaya Game Reserve. The reserve is staffed and patrolled entirely by Swazis from neighbouring communities and has what is arguably Africa’s most effective anti-poaching unit. The reserve is totally self-financing through visitor revenues. Overnight at Stone Camp or similar (BLD)

We depart the park at around 10am and on the way to Hlane we will visit a wildlife research centre to learn about the significant conservation efforts in eSwatini whilst having lunch. Check in at Hlane and then enjoy some time at leisure before later this afternoon we will go on a sun downer safari in the park to hopefully obtain sightings of, rhino and lion amongst others, so have your cameras ready. Overnight Hlane Royal National Park (BLD)

After breakfast we take a rhino drive to see these wonderful animals up close and maybe even on foot. After lunch we travel the short distance to Mbuluzi Game Reserve which encompasses some of Eswatini’s most pristine bush-veld with a variety of landscapes and excellent biodiversity. Here there are many kilometres of well-marked and maintained trails offering short strolls to explore the area at your own time and pace. Common species include zebra, kudu, impala and warthog although the main attraction is the giraffe as it is possible to walk within these herds without disturbing them, a unique way to see giraffe.  We will spend the rest of the day here exploring the bush before later returning to Hlane and the watering hole for sundowners. Overnight Hlane Royal National Park (BLD)

At around 9am after a leisurely breakfast we take a short but slow journey to Shewula Mountain Camp (the roads are fairly bumpy but it is worth the tri), which is the first community eco-tourism project in Eswatini and one of the most successful in the whole of southern Africa. The camp is fully owned and run by the community, meaning that all profits are shared by the community in an effort to continually develop and improve this traditionally impoverished area. Arrive in time for an educational walk amongst the community where you will learn about life in Shewula and be shown into people’s homes. The Shewula community is a friendly agricultural people, with traditional thatch and stone houses dotted neatly among fields of maize cotton and vegetables. They encourage visitors to their area to enjoy the incredible view, gain an insight into traditional Swazi lifestyles. Have lunch on the escarpment looking over the Lubumbo Conservancy and the view here is incredible. This is a traditional lunch cooked by the ladies of the camp and you can taste delicious, genuine Swazi food. After lunch there will be the chance for an optional hike but if you prefer just relax at camp and enjoy the stunning views. Overnight at Shewula Mountain Camp (BLD)

(Approximate driving time is 4.5 hours)

Depart at around 8am for the journey back to South Africa for your onward journey or perhaps you may wish to extend your trip with some tailored arrangements in South Africa. (B)