Hlane Royal National Park

The Hlane Royal National Park in Eswatini (Swaziland) is one of the best parks in Southern Africa for tracking elephants and rhinos on foot.

Understand

History

The park was formed in 1967 on the orders of King Sobhuza ll. Before then it was a private hunting ground.

Flora and fauna

Hlane holds the largest number of animals of all parks in Eswatini.

Get in

By car

The park is around 67 km north-east of Manzini. The entrance to the park is approximately 4 km south of 1 Simunye, off the road between Manzini and Lomahasha. The road is tarred almost to the entrance gate.

By bus

The buses running between Manzini and Simunye stop at the entrance gate of the park.

By plane

The nearest airport is in Manzini.

Fees and permits

It is free when you have a Wildcard.

Get around

You can drive around with your car in the south of the park, together with a guide. You may also use one of the park's minibuses (around E100).

See

Elephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and cheetahs, giraffe, zebras, as well as some antelopes. See African flora and fauna for information on animals.

Do

Go on a guided bush-walk in the northern part of the park (guide is E20 per hour). This is the best way to get close to elephants and rhinos on foot. The sighting of a rhino is nearly certain.

Ask to be shown the tiny Scops Owl that roosts at the main camp.

The park is ideal for children. It is small enough to navigate, large enough to explore, no guarantee of what you will see, but pretty certain to see impressive wildlife. Combine with the nearby Mlawula nature reserve (more dramatic country, less dramatic wildlife, campsite has outdoor showers with view over miles of mountain scenery) to please all tastes.

Eat

• 1 Ndlovo Camp (PVRF+4XW, Simunye, Eswatini). has a 100 seat restaurant. (updated Jan 2023)

Sleep

There are two kinds of accommodation in the park and both have to be reserved at Big Game Parks Central Reservations (phone 5283944 or [1])

• 1 Ndlovo Camp. is near the entrance. It offers big cottages with up to three beds and camping. There is no electricity in the camp! (you will be given paraffin lamps). It also boost a restaurant with view on a waterhole. (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Bhubesi Camp. offers three stone huts. It is approximately 18 km on a gravel road from Ndlovo Camp. It is only suitable for self-catering, but has electricity. However, you will feel much more remote. (updated Jan 2023)