$1,249 pp (USD)
This tour is offered in ZAR.
Show rate in ZAR
Arrival
Arrival
Day 1
Arrive in Pretoria, meet your guide and drive in convoy to Mlilwane
Arrive in Pretoria, meet your guide and drive in convoy to Mlilwane
You enter Eswatini via the Waverley/Lundzi Border Post. Entering Eswatini via one of the smaller border posts just gives you that more personalized and relaxed experience. The convoy follows small gravel roads winding through some of the rural villages in Eswatini. This is your first exposure to the Swazi rural lifestyle.
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 vehicle or a vehicle with a high ground clearance is best suited for the road and trail conditions you will experience on this tour. Rest assured, your guide is fully qualified to assist you with any 4x4 challenges that you might encounter.
Please note: Refer to our company profile for a summary of the benefits of driving your own vehicle. A quotation for the rental of your vehicle will be provided separately.
- Main Destination:
- Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Eswatini)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in Mlilwane WS
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 2
Drive to the top of the mountain (weather permitting) and explore Mlilwane on your own
Drive to the top of the mountain (weather permitting) and explore Mlilwane on your own
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. Mlilwane’s diverse habitats support a surprisingly extensive species list. Endless hours of guided or self-guided exploration within the small 4560 Ha sanctuary are possible due to the relative absence of dangerous animals.
After breakfast, we will drive to the top of the mountain for incredible views (weather permitting). On your own, explore
- Mlilwane or book a game drive or guided walk (excluded from the tariff),
- The Swazi Candles Centre or
- The Mantenga Cultural Village.
You will drive your own 4x4 vehicle.
A restaurant is available on-site for you to spoil yourself with delicious meals.
- Main Destination:
- Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Eswatini)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 3
Drive to Hlane Royal National Park via the Top of World View and the world's biggest granite rock
Drive to Hlane Royal National Park via the Top of World View and the world's biggest granite rock
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). From there we will drive on small gravel roads winding up and down the mountains. We will stop at the Top of the World View lookout point en route and make 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". Hlane is home to Eswatini’s largest herds of game and conserves vast natural resources and holds deep royal and cultural significance. Exciting species lists include impressive ancient hardwood habitats, big game and rich birdlife.
Tonight you will pitch your own tent while the guide makes a fire. A restaurant is available on-site if you want to spoil yourself with a delicious meal.
- Main Destination:
- Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
Wildlife in Hlane Royal NP
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 4
Join a morning walk, later drive to a bird hide and be surprised by the animal and bird life
Join a morning walk, later drive to a bird hide and be surprised by the animal and bird life
Hlane is a typical lowveld destination with exciting species lists including impressive ancient hardwood habitats, big game and rich birdlife. This 22,000-ha park, once the region’s rich hunting grounds, still boasts the largest herds of game in the Kingdom with speciality species being lion, elephant, vultures and marabou stork.
This morning you join a guided morning walk of 4 hours (included). On the guided walk, your goal is to experience being in the bush and see African wildlife in their natural habitat. The best time to spot wildlife is during the coolest times of the day when most animals are active. You can expect to see different animal species. While observing the animals, your guide will tell you interesting animal facts to learn more about the animal's behaviour.
Afterwards, we drive to a bird hide and be surprised by what animal or bird life we will see.
A restaurant is available on-site for you to spoil yourself with delicious meals.
- Main Destination:
- Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 5
Join a sunrise drive and then explore Hlane on your own
Join a sunrise drive and then explore Hlane on your own
Start the day with a sunrise drive (included in the tariff) that will include a visit to the lion camp. The lion camp is large enough to allow the lions to hunt in a natural way. Afterwards, you can relax and watch the animals drinking water at the waterhole near the restaurant or you can explore Hlane further on your own.
You will drive your own 4x4 vehicle.
A restaurant is available on-site for you to spoil yourself with delicious meals.
- Main Destination:
- Hlane Royal National Park (Eswatini)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 6
Drive to the Bulembu Country Lodge
Drive to the Bulembu Country Lodge
Bulembu was once a thriving asbestos mining community of about 10,000 people. Due to the health risks associated with asbestos, the mine was closed and basically everything in the town came to a standstill. In later years the old infrastructure was upgraded and today it is home to about 1,000 orphans, an internationally recognized school for these youngsters, a country lodge and honey farming to name a few.
Bulembu Country Lodge lies at the foot of Mount Emlembe, the highest mountain in Swaziland. The town is surrounded by lush green hills and eucalyptus forests, perfectly complementing the natural beauty of this region.
Before we leave Eswatini, we visit the Bulembu Mining Museum.
The pass between the Josefsdal border post and Barberton is the drive's highlight. The incredibly scenic mountain pass is regarded as, arguably, one of the most spectacularly scenic drives in southern Africa. People describe it as "jaw-droppingly beautiful".
You will drive your own 4x4 vehicle.
- Main Destination:
- Bulembu (Town, Eswatini)
- Accommodation:
- Budget camping
- Meals & Drinks:
Day 7
Drive to Pretoria via the Josefsdal/Bulembu Border Post
Drive to Pretoria via the Josefsdal/Bulembu Border Post
The pass between the Josefsdal Border Post and Barberton is the drive's highlight. The incredibly scenic mountain pass is regarded as, arguably, one of the most spectacularly scenic drives in southern Africa. People describe it as "jaw-droppingly
beautiful".
We drive in convoy back to Pretoria.
As our time together draws to a close, we say goodbye to our new friends and head back home. You will continue your journey to your next destination on your own, whenever you feel ready to leave. We hope that you will cherish the unforgettable memories you have made during your time with us and that you will have plenty of beautiful photos to share with your loved ones and friends.
- Main Destination:
- Pretoria (City, South Africa)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
