• Party In The Kingdom - has an outside function area, Inkhundla, consisting of a reed and semi-tin roof, river-sand floor, railway sleeper benches, a bar area as well as an ablution nearby, and is suitable for private functions, such as weddings and graduation parties, and is, in fact, often used by members of the Royal Family.

• A Whole World To Explore - explore the southern part of the Sanctuary by foot, vehicle, on horseback and on mountain bikes.

• Nearby Attractions - with 24-hour access to the Sanctuary, you are free to enjoy the many unique attractions and craft shops of the neighbouring tourist hubs of Ezulwini and Malkerns.

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, 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. From the western boundary, the huge Usutu Forest provides a dramatic backdrop stretching into the distant hills.

Mlilwane means 'Little Fire', 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.

In fact, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is Swaziland's oldest protected area, owned and managed by a non-profit trust. Mlilwane serves as a headquarter 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.

Covering 4,560 hectares, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary comprises 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 at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary are concentrated in the southern section, with only guided trails entering the pristine mountains of the north. These activities include hiking, sundowner & sunrise drives, mountain biking, horse riding and cultural tours.

Just outside of the main rest camp is the Interpretation centre where you can view sculls and other interesting pieces and read about rhino salvage operations, Swaziland's heritage, poaching and anti-poaching efforts and so on. A guide can be arranged to talk you through the centre. There is also a very interesting Interpretation centre in the reception building at the main gate.

Sibhaca Dancing is the traditional Swazi dance performed by teams of men (and sometimes even women) at a vigorous pace. The 'headman' of the Sibhaca dance will personally invite you to an evening of Sibhaca entertainment around the main campfire.

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in Swaziland's 'Valley of Heaven', the Ezulwini Valley, in between Mbabane and Manzini.

• Gardens
• Secure Parking
• Swimming Pool

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary offers an open-air restaurant at Ndlovu Camp, where there is a game viewing deck from where you can enjoy sundowners and meals as you sit back and take in the view of the waterhole.

The Hippo Haunt Restaurant at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary's Rest Camp overlooks the Hippo Pool, provides good, wholesome meals including venison and consists of a cosy inside area with a fireplace and comfortable couches as well as 2 outside wooden deck areas where you can enjoy meals and drinks from the bar.

General public picnic areas are situated around the Rest Camp with communal braai (barbeque) areas prepared daily, a small summerhouse and an outdoor Hippo Pool viewing area for close but safe viewing of the infamous hippo feeding, if the hippos are about.

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary offers various accommodation types, namely rest camp huts, backpackers & camping, traditional Swazi style accommodation, as well as discerning and comfortable accommodation.

Rest Camp Huts:

- The Mlilwane Rest Camp: unfenced camp in the southern corner of the reserve, in the midst of a well-matured rehabilitated area with tall, indigenous trees, overlooking an artificially created wetland system, which is home to hippopotamus, crocodile and a variety of water birds including infrequent visiting fish eagles, with a semi-circle of 8 rustic wooden and thatch huts, all consisting of a single room with an en-suite bathroom.

- Shonalanga Cottage: situated in the Mlilwane Rest Camp, overlooking the Mhlambanyatsi River, this self-catering cottage with its own private braai (barbeque) area and nearby swimming pool is suitable for a large family group.

- Ndlovu Camp: protected from big game by a 3-strand electric cordon (luckily doesn't stop smaller game movement), this camp overlooks a waterhole, which attracts a wide diversity of game, and has no electricity. Reminiscent of the old Kruger National Park rest camps with its thatched family rondavels and smaller cottages all equipped for self-catering but with the option of a large open-air restaurant.

- Bhubesi Camp: in the northwest corner of the park, this very private camp overlooks the Umbuluzana River, with its reed beds and dense riverine vegetation, and has 6 self-contained stone cottages with electricity.

- Nyonyane Camp: quiet, private self-catering camp on Mlilwane's eastern boundary with Lobamba, overlooking the Mdzimba and Logogo mountains, with 4 log cabins.

Backpackers & Camping:

- Sondzela: IYHF recognized hostel, falling under Hostelling International South Africa (HISA) and a member of the Backpacking Swaziland Association.

- Camping: informal camping ground with a communal ablution block nearby, situated under an impressive, mature Eucalyptus forest. Fallen logs and a few scattered concrete tables roughly mark out the campsites.

- Timberlog Dormitory: situated in Mlilwane Rest Camp, this dormitory has a large lounge and 6 individual rooms with bunk beds, partitioned from the main living area and a separate self-catering kitchen and dining area, and nearby communal ablutions.

Swazi style:

- Beehive Village: these 2 villages have the look and feel of traditional Swazi homesteads with grass dome-shaped huts arranged in semi-circles, central log fires and seating areas, all semi-enclosed by traditional Swazi kraal fencing, and more than 40 people can be accommodated in the village without bathrooms, while 30 in the en-suite beehive village

Discerning & Comfort:

- Reilly's Rock: the original house has 3 bedrooms, all accessible from the veranda, while the 4th en-suite room is a converted office. Separate from the house is the cottage encircled by a wide veranda comprising 2 en suite rooms with a communal lounge and fireplace.

- Stone Camp: laid out along the banks of a dry river bed, where the vegetation comprises tall fig, leadwood, sausage and knobthorn trees, with a lush under-canopy giving it a year-round subtropical appearance. 12 units are laid out individually in the riverine forest overlooking the dry riverbed, and some units are close enough together for use as an extended family unit.

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