Mkhaya Swaziland's Refuge for Endangered Species

In the southeast of Swaziland, the heart of the lowveld lies an unspoilt wilderness, haven to endangered species who roam the magnificent African bush.

For the animals that once roamed wild and free, uninhibited by fences and boundaries, they faced and still face an uncertain future with man’s compulsion toward maximum yield, poaching and lack of ignorance toward nature conservation and protection of our natural heritage. These once abundant animals that could be seen for miles around were, and some still are, close to extinction. It became clear to the Reilly Family, Swaziland’s foremost nature conservationists, that these animals needed a place of refuge, and tranquility and the absence of menacing man and his gun, and Mkhaya was the perfect place.


Mkhaya was established in 1979 to save the pure Nguni breed of cattle from extinction and is a proclaimed Nature Reserve. Its focus has expanded over the years to include other endangered species such as black rhino, roan & sable antelope, tsessebe, white rhino, elephant and other locally endangered species.

Mkhaya Game Reserve, named after the Acacia nigrescens tree, comprises of acacia-dominated thornveld in the south and broadleaf sandveld in the north. Unique, intimate encounters with Mkhaya’s wildlife are almost guaranteed as all travel within the reserve is solely by Big Game Parks’ open Land Rovers or on foot (all guided). The reserve is criss-crossed with dry riverbeds, dotted with waterholes and has a network of intertwined game-viewing roads.

After a day out in the hot African bush, come back to the camp that is sited in bird-rich riverine forests and enjoy an ice-cold drink under the giant sausage tree or retire to the comfortable stone and thatch open style accommodation and sit back and enjoy real nature.

Mkhaya is staffed and patrolled entirely by Swazis from neighbouring communities and currently boasts what is arguably Africa's most effective anti-poaching unit. Mkhaya is totally self-financing through visitor revenues. Your support is greatly appreciated as a means of sustaining this unique international conservation effort.

A trip to Mkhaya is a trip into Real Africa – a soul enriching, quality experience you’ll never forget!

Please Note: All visits to Mkhaya require pre-bookings through our Central Reservations office. Due to logistical limitations, pick up times are strictly 10h00 or 16h00, as arranged.

Mkhaya is Ideal for

• Unforgetable & intimate game encounters
• Bush Fanatics
• Swazi guided game drives and walks
• Day tours or overnight stays

Mkhaya's Facilities

• Stone Camp

Action & Adventure:

• Day tours

Wildlife & Birds

Leisure & Culture

• Swazi Dancing

Mlilwane wildlife sanctuary

Mlilwane is the closest "Big Game Parks" from Ezulwini valley and thus the closest to Mvubu Falls. It is a small and cosy park which you can cross by car in half a day, nonetheless you could easily enjoy a whole day or even longer here. Book a game drive in your own car, partly on paved, partly on gravel road or even a mountainbike or horseback riding tour. By these means you can enjoy the beauty in an all quiet and peacefull manner.
In Mlilwane you'll find most of the smaller African Wildlife like zebra's, crocodiles, hippo's,

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary An Outdoor Lover’s Paradise

Mlilwane, Swaziland’s pioneer conservation area, is a beautiful, secluded sanctuary situated in Swaziland’s “Valley of Heaven”, the Ezulwini Valley, in between Mbabane and Manzini. With 24-hour access to the Sanctuary, guests are free to enjoy the neighbouring tourist hubs of Ezulwini and Malkerns, with their many unique attractions and craft shops. From the western boundary, the huge Usutu Forest provides a dramatic backdrop stretching into the distant hills.

The Sanctuary covers 4,560 hectares and comprises of a southern and northern section. The southern section is predominately open grassland plains with middleveld vegetation, stretching up onto the striking Nyonyane Mountain with its exposed granite peak known as the "Rock of Execution". Nyonyane is where ancient San once lived and where Swazi Royal graves are situated giving historical significance. Behind these mountains, the stunning Mantenga waterfall and beautiful Usushwana Valley form the divide, before stretching up to northern section, which includes one of the highest surrounding points at Luphohlo. Tourist activities are concentrated in the southern section, with only guided trails entering the pristine mountains of the north.

Mlilwane means Little Fire, being derived from the numerous fires started by lightning strikes on the Mlilwane Hill. Many a colourful tale can be told about the Reilly Family, with special relevance to the early pioneer Mickey Reilly, whose family still manages and lives on the Sanctuary.

Mlilwane is Swaziland's oldest protected area, owned and managed by a non-profit making trust. Mlilwane serves as a headquarters for the Big Game Parks including Mlilwane’s sister reserves Hlane and Mkhaya. Formerly a productive mixed farming operation, with extensive tin mining in the low foothills of the Nyonyane Mountains, the Sanctuary has been rehabilitated and is now Swaziland's most frequently visited reserve where one can enjoy the beauty of the surroundings and the abundant wildlife that grace the plains.
Visitors can explore the southern portion of the Sanctuary by foot, vehicle, on horseback and on mountain bikes. Those who simply want to relax can sit back in the camps and enjoy the tranquility of Nature.

Mlilwane has an outside function area Inkhundla, about 200 meters from the Hippo Haunt restaurant which is suitable for private functions, such as weddings, graduation parties and so on and is often used by members of the Royal Family. It consists of a reed and semi-tin roof, riversand floor, railway sleeper benches, a bar area and has an ablution nearby. Catering can be arranged and the rates of this can be obtained from Big Game Parks central reservations office ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Mlilwane is ideal for:

• Outdoor enthusiast
• Adventurer
• Family
• Day outings
• Budget and adventurer
• Educational groups
• Conferencing and events
• Camping & Backpacking
• Overlanders
• Discerning Traveller (Reillys' Rock)
• Conferencing & Events

Mlilwane's Facilities

• Rest Camp Huts
• Shonalanga
• Nyonyane

Backpackers & Camping

• Sondzela
• Camping
• Timberlog Dormitory

Comfort & Discerning

• Reilly's Rock

Activities:

• Hiking Trails
• Sundowner + Sunrise Drives
• Mountain Biking
• Horse Riding

Birds & Wildlife

• Zebra
• Hippo
• Crocodile

Leisure & Culture

• Hippo Haunt restaurant
• Swazi Dancing
• Open Land Rover tours