Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Eswatini's oldest protected area — walk, cycle, or ride horses among wildlife without a guide

Mlilwane is Eswatini's oldest protected area, and it has an unusual quality: because it has no predators — lions, leopards, and hyenas were removed or never reintroduced — you can walk, cycle, or ride horses through the reserve without a guide. This makes for an experience that is quite different from the fenced-vehicle safari of larger African parks. You move at your own pace, the animals are habituated to people on foot, and warthogs and nyala graze within a few metres.

The reserve's rest camp sits at the heart of the sanctuary and is an ideal base for a night or two. Guided game drives and horse trails are available for those who want them. The birdlife is excellent — over 300 species recorded — and the surrounding Mahwaqa Mountains provide a scenic backdrop. Entry fees are modest by regional standards.

things to do sight
A story
Mlilwane means "little fire" in siSwati, a name given to the area after lightning repeatedly struck a hilltop here. The sanctuary was established in 1964 by Ted Reilly, who persuaded the Swazi king to back wildlife conservation at a time when most of the country's large mammals had already been hunted out. Reilly is largely credited with saving Swaziland's conservation movement.