The grassland plains
Antelope and zebra.
Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Bernard Gagnon — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Charles J. Sharp — CC BY-SA 4.0
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is Eswatini's oldest protected area, owned and run by a non-profit trust. It covers 4,560 hectares in the Ezulwini Valley, the «Valley of Heaven». It is the country's most visited reserve, close to the capital and explored on foot, on horseback, by mountain bike or by vehicle. The area was once farmland and a tin mine before it was rehabilitated as a reserve. Its name means «little fire», after the many fires that lightning starts on Mlilwane Hill. It is also the headquarters of the country's main group of reserves, including Hlane and Mkhaya. You see wide grassland plains in the southern section stretching up to the pointed peak of Nyonyane Mountain, scattered trees and a calm lake ringed by forest. Antelope, wildebeest and zebra graze the plains, and crocodiles bask by the water. The northern section can only be entered on guided trails. It is about 3.4 km from Lobamba in a straight line and about 19 km from Mbabane. You can walk the southern section without a guide, but keep away from crocodiles at the lake. Early morning is the best time for wildlife.
Antelope and zebra.
A pointed peak.
Crocodiles and birds.
Ezulwini Valley, near Lobamba, Eswatini
Yes in the southern section, with guided trails in the north.
Little fire, after lightning fires on the hill.