“Experience this small monarchy”
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9 Day Eswatini Legend: Self-Drive Guided Safari and Budget Camping Experience
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Eswatini
Eswatini Safari Self-Drive Tour
Despite being the smallest landlocked country in the Southern hemisphere, and the second smallest country in continental Africa, Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, more than makes up for its lack of size with a hugely diverse range of attractions and activities. Witness the will of a nation to turn the almost extinction of wildlife into the protection of wildlife and nature in various parks and reserves.
Key information
- Private or group safari
- Minimum of two participants, maximum of five vehicles
- Children at the age of 12 and older are allowed to participate under the supervision of a guardian
- Starts and ends in Pretoria
- English-speaking professional 4x4 overlanding adventure guide
- English-speaking professional field guide(s) (where applicable)
- Park fees for two adults included
Meet the guides
Johan
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Highlights
- Visit Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Hlaner Royal National Park
- Visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory
- Admire the fauna and flora on your journey
- Join cultural experiences
- Professional overlanding adventure guide
- Rental vehicle and camping equipment available
- 8 nights accommodation
Skill level
- Intermediate
Styles
7 activity days in English
The organizer also speaks: Afrikaans
Group size: Maximum of 5 participants
Airport transfer included:
O. R. Tambo International Airport
Accommodation
Facilities
- Barbeque facilities
- Free parking
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (2 nights)
The camp site has shared restroom facilities with electricity and water.
Hlane Royal National Park (3 nights)
The camp site has shared restroom facilities with water and no electricity. Hot water for the showers comes from a “donkey”. A “donkey” is a big drum filled with water with a fire below it to warm the water.
Bulemby Country Lodge (1 night)
The camp site has shared restroom facilities with electricity and water.
Program
Bonsai-SA's relaxed 4x4 adventures and tours allow you access to remote areas in national parks and reserves that are not frequented by many visitors. The surrounding wilderness, the remoteness and the seclusion of travelling through rarely-seen areas are the main thrills of their tours. A professional 4x4 Adventure guide will lead the tour and a qualified field / nature guide will assist when it is necessary. The guides will provide the necessary interpretation en-route and also ensure your safety.
Frequently asked questions
- Vehicle type 4x2? Yes
- Vehicle type 4x4? Yes
- Tire type - Off-road / all-terrain tires? Yes
- Tire type - On-road tires? Yes
- Accommodation type - Wild camping? No
- Accommodation type - Camping? Yes
- Accommodation type - Safari tent? No
- Accommodation type - Wilderness cabin? No
- Accommodation type - Chalet? No
- Can I tow an off-road trailer? Yes
- Can I tow an off-road caravan? Yes
- Will my vehicle be scratched? No, though it is possible that vehicles will be scratched as you'll be in nature. It will be nothing serious.
- Must I remove my vehicle's sidesteps? No.
- Do I need a compressor? No.
- Are children under the age of 12 allowed to join? No.
Tour size
The tour can only accommodate five vehicles.
Traveling plan
Bonsai-SA did a lot of research to bring you an exciting itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive at OR Tambo International Airport. Our shuttle service will meet you and transfer you to a hotel in Centurion (Pretoria). Once you have settled in, your guide will meet you and accompany you to collect your rental vehicle.
- Day 2: Meet your guide and drive in convoy to Mlilwane via the Waverley/Lundzi Border Post.
- Day 3: Drive to the top of the mountain (weather permitting) and explore Mlilwane on your own. Visit the Nkwenya Glass Factory and the Mantenga Cultural Village.
- Day 4: Drive to Hlane Royal National Park via the Top of World View and the world's biggest granite rock.
- Day 5: Join a morning walk, later drive to a bird hide and be surprised by the animal and bird life.
- Day 6: Join a sunrise drive (including the Lion Camp) and then explore Hlane on your own. Join the Umphakatsi Experience by visiting a real Chief’s village. Watch the bird life in the camp.
- Day 7: Drive to the Bulembu Country Lodge. Visit the Bulembu Museum.
- Day 8: Drive to Pretoria via the Josefsdal/Bulembu Border Post. The pass between the Josefsdal border post and Barberton is the drive's highlight.
- Day 9: Continue to your next destination
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive in Pretoria
You arrive at OR Tambo International Airport. The shuttle service will meet you and transfer you to a hotel in Centurion (Pretoria). Once you have settled in, your guide will meet you and accompany you to collect your rental vehicle. Relax after your long flight, your adventure begins tomorrow.
Day 2 - Drive to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
You meet your guide at a place and time that will be communicated to you before the start of the tour.
You'll enter Eswatini via the Waverley/Lundzi Border Post following your guide. Entering Eswatini via one of the smaller border posts gives you a 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.
Your guide will discuss the adventures ahead over a meal in the restaurant.
Day 3 - Explore Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and surroundings
After breakfast, you will drive to the top of the mountain for incredible views (weather permitting). Who knows what animals you will see while driving the top of the mountain?
You'll visit the Ngwenya Glass Factory, where you will see how a small group of Swazi craftsmen and women breathe life into enchanting interpretations of the animals and birds of Africa. You will witness first-hand the magical art of glassblowing from an overhead balcony.
You'll stop at the Mantenga Cultural Village. This is a replica of the mid-19th-century Swazi village, and a guided tour will reveal much more, from how the huts are built and what each is used for, to the role played by the sangoma, or traditional healer.
Day 4 - Drive to Hlane Royal National Park via the Top of World View and the World's Biggest Granite Rock
After breakfast, you'll follow the tarred road from Mlilwane until you reach the largest granite pluton in the world (about 800 m tall and covering an area of about 16,500 ha). From there, you will drive on small gravel roads winding up and down the mountains. You will stop at the Top of the World View lookout point and make some coffee / tea. You will 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, conserves vast natural resources, and holds deep royal and cultural significance. Exciting species lists include impressive ancient hardwood habitats, big game, and rich birdlife.
Day 5 - Guided morning walk and then exploring Hlane on your own
This morning, you will join a guided morning walk lasting 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 help you learn more about the animal's behavior.
Afterwards, you drive to a bird hide and are surprised by what animal or bird life you will see. You can relax and watch the animals drinking water at the waterhole near the restaurant or explore Hlane on your own.
Day 6 - 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.
Join the Umphakatsi Experience by visiting a real Chief’s village. Watch the bird life in the camp.
Day 7 - Drive to the Bulembu Country Lodge
Located in the malaria-free, northern Hhohho region, Bulembu Country Lodge stands at the foot of Mount Emlembe, Swaziland’s highest mountain. The town of Bulembu is surrounded by the natural beauty of lush green hills and eucalyptus forests. Bulembu Country Lodge presents a charming blend of history, nature, beauty, and comfort.
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. In later years, the old infrastructure was upgraded and today it is home to about 1,000 orphans, a country lodge, and honey farming, to name a few.
You'll visit the Bulembu Mining Museum. It is an amazing visual experience, to see the history Bulembu holds.
Day 8 - 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."
Day 9 - Continue to your next destination
You return your rental vehicle to the car hire company. The shuttle service will pick you up and transfer you to OR Tambo International Airport for your onward journey.
As your time together draws to a close, you say goodbye to your new friends and head back home. You will continue your journey to your next destination on your own. 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.
Guides
Johan Du Plooy
Johan du Plooy is qualified as a national 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide - overnight camping and is registered with the Department of Tourism (registration number GP 6210). He may guide 4x4 tours, trips, and activities, as well as overlanding tours. He may also conduct 4x4 and overlanding tours in eco-sensitive areas and will apply the principles of "leave no trace." Additioanlly, he may conduct 4x4 and overlanding tours with overnight camping options in ecosensitive areas.
Location
Eswatini
On this tour, you visit Eswatini. Despite being the smallest landlocked country in the Southern hemisphere, and the second smallest country in continental Africa, Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, more than makes up for its lack of size with a hugely diverse range of attractions and activities.
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
It is Eswatini's (formerly Swaziland) pioneer conservation area, a shining example of what is possible if passion, vision and action fuse. Once a highly profitable multi-purpose farm and labeled an “impossible dream”, Mlilwane was proclaimed in 1961 and is now the kingdom's most popular eco-destination for locals and internationals alike.
The name 'Mlilwane' (“Little Fire“ in siSwati) was derived from the numerous fires started by lightning strikes on the Mlilwane Hill but now holds significance as the little fire that ignited the conservation movement in Swaziland.
Hlane Royal National Park
It was proclaimed as a National Park in 1967, following Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (1961), under instruction of King Sobhuza ll. "Hlane" is the siSwati name for “wilderness”.
Hlane is a typical lowveld destination with exciting species lists including impressive ancient hardwood habitats, big game and rich birdlife. This 22,000-hectare park, once the region's rich hunting grounds, still boasts the largest herds of game in the Kingdom, with the most common species being lion, elephants, vultures and marabou stork.
Bulembu
It 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.
Ngwenya Glass Factory
Here a small group of Swazi craftsmen and women, with age old artistry – breathe life into enchanting interpretations of the animals and birds of Africa, imbuing each with its own irresistible personality. Witness first-hand the magical art of glassblowing from an overhead balcony. Each item handmade from 100 % recycled glass! Browse around the adjoining showroom which is well stocked and purchase your little memento of a truly African visit to the kingdom.
Food
- Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary: You will eat at the on-site restaurant.
- Hlane Royal National Park: You will eat at the on-site restaurant.
- Bulembu Country Lodge: You will eat at the on-site restaurant.
The restaurants are in a remote area, and the menus cannot always cater to all dietary requirements. Breakfast and dinner are included, but you must make provision for your own lunch, snacks, and water.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- Park fees
- Hand-held radios
- Professional 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide
- 8 nights accommodation for two adults
- Trail cost for one 4x4 vehicle with two adults
- Professional field guide(s) where applicable
- Vehicle with camping equipment
- Activities as indicated
- Meals as indicated
What's not included
- Additional accommodation before and after the tour
- International flights
- Domestic flights
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Tips
- Fuel
- Toll fees
- Drinking water (on all days)
- Snacks and beverages
- Medicine
- Firewood
- Additional activities
- Border fees and taxes
How to get there
Recommended Airports
JNB
O. R. Tambo International Airport
289 km
Transfer included
Arrival by aeroplane
Please book your flight to arrive at O R Tambo International Airport (JNB). Transfers to and from this airport are included in the price. The meeting point in Pretoria with your guide will be communicated before the start of the tour.
Airport: O. R. Tambo International Airport
Airport transfer included: O. R. Tambo International Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
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Special offer Discount
This listing has a Discount 2025 discount of 2% if you book between 2025-Jan-01 and 2025-Oct-31.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookAllSafaris.com. All major credit cards supported.
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