Big Game Parks - Swaziland

Click on map for a an extended printable version.

Swaziland is well situated between the Kruger National Park and Zululand as well as being between Johannesburg and Maputo. The inclusion of anything from one to four nights in the Kingdom is essential in any itinerary and for a short getaway.

To obtain detailed directions to the parks simply click on the park in the map below or on the sub-menu above. To obtain additional information about Swaziland etc, please click here.

To Hlane
To Mlilwane
To Mkhaya
Things to bring

Park

Directions

Only an hour from Manzini on the Lubombo route between the Kruger Park and KwaZulu-Natal, Hlane is easily accessible throughout the year. Also a popular stop en route to and from Mozambique, Hlane is suitable for day trips or extended overnight visits.

From:

Mbabane / Manzini: travel straight through Manzini on the MR3 in the direction of Siteki / Simunye for 40 minutes. Do not take any turnoffs from the main road, including the Siteki turnoff itself, which is ± 10 km’s before the Park. Before reaching Simunye, the Hlane turnoff is to the left and well signposted.

Durban: from the Golela Border, travel on the MR8 past Big Bend and shortly afterward turn right onto the MR16 towards Siteki. After ± 50 km’s turn left at the T-junction onto the MR7 and right at the next T-junction, onto the MR3 towards Simunye. Carry on for 10 km’s and before reaching Simunye, the Hlane turnoff is to the left and well signposted.

Maputo: take the road to the Naamacha Border and then travel on the MR3 past Simunye and down to Hlane (no turnoffs). The Hlane turnoff is to the right and well signposted.

Kruger National Park: travel towards Komatipoort on theN4 highway and then take the 571 to the Mananga Border Gate. Keep on the MR24 towards Manzini past Tshaneni and Mhlume. At the Lomahasha / Manzini T-junction, turn right to Manzini onto the MR3 and carry on past Simunye. The Hlane turnoff will be on the right and is well signposted.

Situated within easy reach of the popular Ezulwini and Malkerns tourism hubs, the Sanctuary is a tranquil retreat for the weary and a scenic family paradise. Please also use these directions for Reilly’s Rock, Sondzela Backpackers and the Central Reservations Office.

From:

Mbabane: take the MR3 Mbabane/Manzini dual carriageway towards Manzini. Take the third off-ramp, signposted Mlilwane/Lobamba/Elangeni/Ezulwini. Turn right under the highway. Pass the National Archives on the left and at the traffic circle, turn immediate left into the first road around the circle, pass the King Sobhuza II Memorial Park on the right and then turn left again onto the MR103 craft route or old road. Pass the Caltex filling station and +/- 500m further turn right at the Mlilwane sign onto a dirt road. Continue for +/-4km to the Sangweni Gate.

If you decide to take the Scenic/Craft Route from Mbabane, take the first off-ramp, namely the Ezulwini/Mlilwane off-ramp. Carry on with this road through Ezulwini and Lombamba until you pass the Caltex filling station on the left. +/- 500m further, turn right at the Mlilwane sign onto a dirt road. Continue for +/-4km to the Sangweni Gate.

Manzini: take the MR3 Mbabane/Manzini highway towards Mbabane. Take the off-ramp signposted Mlilwane/Lobamba. Turn left. Pass the National Archives on the left and at the traffic circle, turn immediate left into the first road around the circle, pass the King Sobhuza II Memorial Park on the right and then turn left again onto the MR103 craft route or old road. Pass the Caltex filling station and +/- 500m further turn right at the Mlilwane sign onto a dirt road. Continue for +/-4km to the Sangweni Gate.

If you decide to take the Scenic/Craft Route from Manzini on the old road, take the Malkerns road (MR103) from the Matsapha traffic circle. Keep on this road for +/-15km and pass the Bunye/Malkerns turnoff and the Mahlanya Fruit Market on your right. Turn left onto the dirt road at the Mlilwane sign. Continue for +/-4km to the Sangweni Gate.

Durban/Maputo/Kruger Park/Johannesburg: follow the road signs to either Mbabane or Manzini. Follow above directions respectively.

Situated en route to Kwazulu-Natal via the Golela Border Post, just before Big Bend, this Game Reserve is perfectly situated and well worth a couple of nights stop-over.

From:

Mbabane / Manzini: Travel on the MR3 from Mbabane towards Manzini. Travel through Manzini in the direction of Siteki. Just after the "Gobble and Gossip", 8 km’s out of Manzini, turn right onto the MR8 towards Big Bend and the Golela Border. Keep on this road for 44 km’s until you reach the Mkhaya turn off on your left, just beyond Siphofaneni. Please note that this sign is not very obvious.

Durban: travel from the Golela Border on the MR8, straight through Big Bend, towards Manzini. ± 22 km’s after Big Bend, the Mkhaya turn off is to your right.

Maputo / Kruger Park: follow directions to Hlane. Carry on straight through Hlane still on the MR3. About 10 km’s after Hlane turn left to Siteki onto the MR7 and then shortly afterwards right to Big Bend onto the MR16. After ± 50 km’s, turn right at the T-Junction towards Manzini on the MR8 and find Mkhaya after 20 km’s on the right.

Johannesburg / Kruger Park (via Piggs Peak): travel to Mbabane, then Manzini and follow the above directions.

Things to Bring

- Accommodation receipt- from Central Reservations or proof of deposit payment.
- Valid international passport - Swaziland is an independent Kingdom.
- Drivers licence.
- Visas for most countries are either not needed or are obtainable free at the borders. Check with our office for details.
- Malaria precautions - please seek doctor's advice.
- Walking shoes, hat, warm clothes in winter and insect repellent.