Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours

5.0/5 – 15 Reviews

$1,563 pp (USD)
This tour is offered in ZAR. Show rate in ZAR

2 travelers   on   Start date
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Start Date
Age at the end of the tour
*This tour does not accept children under 5.
Travelers

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

Arrival (See Getting There for more details)

  • A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

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)
Best Time To Visit May to September (Dry season)
High Season Dec to Jan and Jul to Aug (It never gets very busy)
Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Mlilwane WS

ZebraCommon
HippoCommon
LeopardVery Rare
Show more
LionNone
HyenaNone
Accommodation:
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary - Rest Camp Hut
  • Mid-range bush camp located inside Mlilwane WS
Meals & Drinks:
  • Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

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:
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary - Rest Camp Hut
  • Mid-range bush camp located inside Mlilwane WS
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

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

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). 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 and make some coffee/tea. We continue further on the winding 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 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.

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)
Best Time To Visit May to September (Dry season)
High Season Dec to Jan and Jul to Aug (It never gets very busy)
Best Weather June to October (Sunny, but not too hot)

Wildlife in Hlane Royal NP

ElephantCommon
GiraffeCommon
ZebraCommon
HippoCommon
Show more
LionOccasional
LeopardVery Rare
HyenaRare
Accommodation:
Ndlovu Camp
  • Mid-range cottage located inside Hlane Royal NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

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:
Ndlovu Camp
  • Mid-range cottage located inside Hlane Royal NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

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:
Ndlovu Camp
  • Mid-range cottage located inside Hlane Royal NP
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

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:
Bulembu Country Lodge
  • Budget lodge located in Bulembu (Town)
Meals & Drinks:
  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

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:
  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

End of tour (See Getting There for more details)

  • Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
  • A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.

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  • If preferred, you can contact the tour operator directly
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Your request will be sent directly to the operator

If preferred, you can contact the operator directly

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Disclaimer

  • This tour is offered by Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours, not SafariBookings.
  • This operator reserves the right to change rates advertised on SafariBookings.
  • If you request changes to this tour, the advertised rates will likely change.
  • The exact order, contents and rates of this tour are subject to availability.
  • If an accommodation is fully booked, the operator will suggest a comparable alternative.
  • This tour is subject to the terms & conditions of Bonsai-SA 4x4 Adventures and Tours.