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
editGet in
editFees and permits
editIt is free when you have a Wildcard.
Get around
editSee
editElephants, rhinos, lions, leopards and cheetahs, giraffe, zebras, as well as some antelopes. See African flora and fauna for information on animals.
Do
editGo 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.
Buy
editEat
edit- 1 Ndlovo Camp (PVRF+4XW, Simunye, Eswatini). has a 100 seat restaurant.
Drink
editSleep
editThere are two kinds of accommodation in the park and both have to be reserved at Big Game Parks Central Reservations (phone 5283944 or )
- 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.
- 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.