Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Mlilwane, Swaziland’s pioneer conservation area, is a beautiful, secluded sanctuary situated in Swaziland’s Valley of Heaven, the Ezulwini Valley, in between Mbabane and Manzini. With 24-hour access to the Sanctuary, guests are free to enjoy the neighbouring tourist hubs of Ezulwini and Malkerns, with their many unique attractions and craft shops. From the western boundary, the huge Usutu Forest provides a dramatic backdrop stretching into the distant hills Mlilwane has an outside function area Inkhundla, about 200 meters from the Hippo Haunt restaurant which is suitable for private functions, such as weddings, graduation parties and so on and is often used by members of the Royal Family. It consists of a reed and semi-tin roof, river sand floor, railway sleeper benches, a bar area and has an ablution nearby. Catering can be arranged and the rates of this can be obtained from Big Game Parks central reservations office.

There are three camps on Mlilwane affording visitors a cultural experience, a quiet family retreat as well as facilities for larger groups.

The Rest camp is found in the southern corner of the reserve in the mist of a well matured rehabilitated area, the camp is unfenced yet relatively safe as only smaller species of wildlife occur in the sanctuary. A semi-circle of wooden and beehive huts borders the central of the Rest Camp, with easy access to the reception, restaurant, internet lounge, shop and communal fireplace. To the west the camp overlooks Mhlambanyatsi river valley with its open floodplains and scattered herds of game. This view is enjoyed from the swimming pool,

Shonalanga cottage and traditional mud and thatch rondavels. Separated from the rest of the camp by 100metres is the Beehive Village complex, the Timberlog Dormitory and the informal camping ground. Reilly's Rock Hilltop Lodge is a small, personal.quietly colonial guest house on the sanctuary, amid botanical gardens and busy with birdlife. The lodge is offered on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. Sondzela Backpackers offers budget accommodation for individual travelers alike, set in stunning gardens in the secure environment of Mlilwane.

Allow your senses to take in the refreshing surrounding on horseback, mountain bikes, open land-rover tours and foot trails and enjoy the abundant wildlife seen on the plains. The rich birdlife, including the only known protected nestling Black Eagle in Swaziland commonly known as Machobane trail, is a special part of outdoor activity on Mlilwane.