Swaziland
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National Parks & Game
Reserves
Malolotja Nature
Reserve
Hlane Royal National Park
Mbuluzi Game Reserve
Mlawula
Nature Reserve
Mlilwane Wildlife
Sanctuary
Mkhaya Game Reserve
Phophonyane Nature Reserve
MALOLOTJA NATURE RESERVE
Malolotja Nature Reserve
is situated in the north-west of the country approximately 30km north of
Mbabane on the road to Pigg's Peak. It covers an area of 18 000 hectares of
spectacular mountainous scenery making it a prime highveld conservation area.
The altitude in the reserve ranges from Ngwenya Mountain, Swaziland's second
highest mountain to the deep Nkomati River Valley.
The wildlife in the
reserve consists mainly of antelope species but is more reknown for its variety
of birdlife with over 280 species being recorded, many of them rare and the
variety includes Southern Bald-ibis which can can seen nesting on the cliffs
near the Malolotja falls, Blue Swallows, Blue Crane, Striped Flufftail,
Stanley's Bustard, Blackwinged Plover, Knysna Lourie, Narina Trogon, Blue
Swallow, Buffstreaked Chat, Chorister Robin, Broadtailed Warbler and Gurney's
Sugarbird.
The park is a botanist's paradise, with is great variety
wild-flower and rare plants, several of which are only found in this part of
Africa, including six species of proteas, a pincushion protea and four species
of heaths, where numerous species of orchids and lilies and many different
types of tree.
There are limited roads, but a number of hiking trails
ranging from one day walks to week-long hikes. You need to take with you your
own food, water and cooking facilities - fires are not permitted outside the
base camp. The reserve gates open from 0600 to 1800 during the winter season
and 0630 to 1830 in the summer time and an entrance fee in payable
.
HLANE ROYAL NATIONAL PARK
Hlane is
situated in the North-east, approximately one hours drive from Manzini. It is
the largest protected area in Swaziland and borders with the Mlawula Nature
Reserve and Mbuluzi Game Reserve. The park has an extensive network of roads,
linking camps, waterholes and other features. For the most part the roads are
passable by 2 wheel drive vehicle except after heavy rains, when 4 wheel drive
is advisable
The flat terrain of the Hlane and its hardwood vegetation
and shallow pans attracts great herds of animals during the dry winter months.
White rhinos can be seen here as well many antelope species. Lion and elephants
have been reintroduced to the park but they are kept in an enclosure. Bird life
is prolific with species including southerly nesting colony of Marabou Stork.
Whitebacked Vulture, Whiteheaded Vulture, Lappetfaced Vulture and the
occasional Cape Vulture, Redbilled Buffalo Weaver ,Threestreaked Tchagra,
Scimitarbilled Woodhoopoe, Longtailed Shrike, Martial Eagle, Bateleur, and
Longcrested Eagle are just a few of the types of bird found here
Maps
are available from the gate.
MBULUZI GAME RESERVE
Located in northeast
Swaziland, Mbuluzi is is low-lying reserve situated at the bottom of the
Lebombo mountains. It is popular for its birdlife boasting over 400 different
specie including Narina Trogon, Dwarf Bittern, African Finfoot, Crested
Guineafowl, Yellowspotted Nicator, Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Blackheaded, Goliath
and Whitebacked Night Herons, Cuckoo Hawk, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Pennantwinged
Nightjar, Palm Swift, Crowned Hornbill, Dusky Flycatcher, Thickbilled Weaver,
Redbacked Mannikin, African Broadbill, Black Sunbird, Woodland
Kingfisher.
The park is easily accessible on sealed roads and has many
hiking trails ranging from 2 to 5 hours.
MLAWULA NATURE RESERVE
Lying in the northeast of
the country with the entrance located about 10km north of Simunye. Mlawula
covers an area of approximately 16,500 hectares, the terrain of which consists
of flat plains and the Lebombo mountains. Antelope species can be seen but it's
the bird life that makes it an attraction, with over 350 different species
found here, such as the African Finfoot, Thickbilled Cuckoo, Lesser Blackwinged
Plover, African Broadbill, Black Coucal, Yellowspotted Nicator,Scalythroated
Honeyguide, Bearded Robin, Grey Sunbird, Redbilled Helmetshrike, and
Pinkthroated Twinspot
MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY - click to view recommended Tours and
Safaris
Located near Lobamba, between Manzini and Mbabane and
easily accessible from Ezulwini and Malkerns. Mlilwane is a private reserve and
is the oldest (established in the 1950's) and most visited of Swazi
parks.
Animals that can be found in this park include zebra, giraffe,
many different antelope, crocodile, hippo and a variety of birdlife. Walking,
cycling and horse riding is permitted in the reserve and there are many vehicle
and walking trails
MKHAYA GAME RESERVE
This small private game
reserve is located in south eastern part of the country covering an area of
approximately 7 500 ha. Black and white rhino, elephant, buffalo, roan and
sable antelope are among some of the wildlife found here and well as the
indigenous and rare Nguni cattle. Another park where many species of bird can
be spotted including Melba Finch, African Green Pigeon, Whitebellied Sunbird,
Redbilled Oxpecker, Plumcoloured Starling, White Helmetshrike, Brubru,
Redbacked Shrike, Scalythroated Honeyguide, Grey Hornbill and Purple Roller,
Greyheaded and Gorgeous Bush Shrike, Pygmy Kingfisher, Yellowbreasted Apalis,
Goldentailed Woodpecker, Purplecrested Lourie, Yellowspotted Nicator, Southern
Boubou and several varieties of Robin
The name Mkhaya is derived from
the Mkhaya tree (a member of the Acacia family) which can be found throughout
the park. Although guided walking in the park is allowed, travel by vehicle is
restricted to guided game drives in open top landrovers
PHOPHOYANE NATURE RESERVE
Located, approximate 60
miles south of Kruger National Park, in northwestern Swaziland close to Pigg's
Peak. This is a quite peaceful and enchanting park, also know as Swaziland's
"Garden of Een".
The wildlife found here includes banded mongooses, the
rare red duiker deer, cape clawless otter, vervet monkeys with over 230
recorded species of bird.
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