Malolotja Nature Reserve Eswatini
Home » African Safari Destinations » Eswatini Safari Tours & Holidays » Malolotja Nature Reserve Eswatini
Malolotja Nature Reserve Eswatini
Malolotja Nature Reserve is situated in the north-west of the country approximately 30 km north of Mbabane on the road to Pigg’s Peak. It covers an area of 18 000 hectares of spectacular mountainous scenery making it a prime Highveld conservation area. The altitude in the reserve ranges from Ngwenya Mountain, Swaziland’s second-highest mountain to the deep Nkomati River Valley.
The wildlife in the reserve consists mainly of antelope species but is more renowned for its variety of birdlife with over 280 species being recorded, many of them rare and the variety includes Southern Bald-ibis which can see nesting on the cliffs near the Malolotja Falls, Blue Swallows, Blue Crane, Striped Flufftail, Stanley’s Bustard, Blackwinged Plover, Knysna Lourie, Narina Trogon, Blue Swallow, Buffstreaked Chat, Chorister Robin, Broad-tailed Warbler and Gurney’s Sugarbird.
The park is a botanist’s paradise, with is a great variety of wild-flower and rare plants, several of which are only found in this part of Africa, including six species of proteas, a pincushion protea, and four species of heaths, where numerous species of orchids and lilies and many different types of tree.
There are limited roads, but a number of hiking trails ranging from one day walk to week-long hikes. You need to take with you your own food, water, and cooking facilities – fires are not permitted outside the base camp. The reserve gates open from 0600 to 1800 during the winter season and 0630 to 1830 in the summertime and an entrance fee in payable.
Size of Malolotja nature reserve
Malolotja National Park covers 18,000 hectares (44,000 acres) of mountain wilderness on Eswatini’s northwestern border with South Africa.
Location of Malolotja nature reserve
Malolotja Nature Reserve is one of the very best highland reserves in southern Africa, its 18,000ha wilderness of high rolling hills and deep forested Upland park with hiking for all levels, camping, waterfalls & zipline tours of a forested gorge.
How to get to Malolotja nature reserve
Malolotja can usually be accessed in any vehicle, although some of the roads in the reserve are 4×4 only. Malolotja is located about 30km/20mi from Mbabane, and the drive takes about 40 minutes.
Things to do in Malolotja National Reserve
Malolotja canopy tour
Glide through the forest canopy in one of Swaziland’s mountain wildernesses. Close to the famous Malolotja Falls and set within the forested Sihlotswane gorge, the Malolotja Canopy Tour offers a three-hour thrilling adventure.
Ziplining
The tour takes guests zipping across ten slides and a 50 m long suspension bridge that crosses the Majolomba River. Eleven elevated forest platforms provide stopping points to enjoy the view and spot birds and forest animals.
Game viewing
Game viewing The Malolotja Nature Reserve is home to numerous mammals and birdlife including the rare Forest Canary and Ground Woodpecker. The tour starts with a long drive in an open game vehicle blesbuck, eland, impala, and zebra can frequently be seen. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Kaapsehoop escarpment walk
Hike through a maze of unusual rock formations for 20 minutes from Kaapsehoop and you will find yourself at the edge of the escarpment with jaw-dropping views. Here the landscape plunges 1000 meters into the Barberton Valley. At night the twinkling lights of Nelspruit and Barberton are visible. Early birds can watch the sunrise over the Swazi mountains.
When to visit malolotja national reserve.
Fabulous displays of wildflowers thrive during the spring months (October & November), with lilies, orchids, and red-hot pokers, while the valley floors support two threatened species of cycad.
Where to stay in malolotja national reserve.
Some of the places to stay in malolotja game reserve include Hawane resorts and Malolotja cabins.
Malolotja Nature Reserve Eswatini
Malolotja Nature Reserve is situated in the north-west of the country approximately 30 km north of Mbabane on the road to Pigg’s Peak. It covers an area of 18 000 hectares of spectacular mountainous scenery making it a prime Highveld conservation area. The altitude in the reserve ranges from Ngwenya Mountain, Swaziland’s second-highest mountain to the deep Nkomati River Valley.
The wildlife in the reserve consists mainly of antelope species but is more renowned for its variety of birdlife with over 280 species being recorded, many of them rare and the variety includes Southern Bald-ibis which can see nesting on the cliffs near the Malolotja Falls, Blue Swallows, Blue Crane, Striped Flufftail, Stanley’s Bustard, Blackwinged Plover, Knysna Lourie, Narina Trogon, Blue Swallow, Buffstreaked Chat, Chorister Robin, Broad-tailed Warbler and Gurney’s Sugarbird.
The park is a botanist’s paradise, with is a great variety of wild-flower and rare plants, several of which are only found in this part of Africa, including six species of proteas, a pincushion protea, and four species of heaths, where numerous species of orchids and lilies and many different types of tree.
There are limited roads, but a number of hiking trails ranging from one day walk to week-long hikes. You need to take with you your own food, water, and cooking facilities – fires are not permitted outside the base camp. The reserve gates open from 0600 to 1800 during the winter season and 0630 to 1830 in the summertime and an entrance fee in payable.
Size of Malolotja nature reserve
Malolotja National Park covers 18,000 hectares (44,000 acres) of mountain wilderness on Eswatini’s northwestern border with South Africa.
Location of Malolotja nature reserve
Malolotja Nature Reserve is one of the very best highland reserves in southern Africa, its 18,000ha wilderness of high rolling hills and deep forested Upland park with hiking for all levels, camping, waterfalls & zipline tours of a forested gorge.
How to get to Malolotja nature reserve
Malolotja can usually be accessed in any vehicle, although some of the roads in the reserve are 4×4 only. Malolotja is located about 30km/20mi from Mbabane, and the drive takes about 40 minutes.
Things to do in Malolotja National Reserve
Malolotja canopy tour
Glide through the forest canopy in one of Swaziland’s mountain wildernesses. Close to the famous Malolotja Falls and set within the forested Sihlotswane gorge, the Malolotja Canopy Tour offers a three-hour thrilling adventure.
Ziplining
The tour takes guests zipping across ten slides and a 50 m long suspension bridge that crosses the Majolomba River. Eleven elevated forest platforms provide stopping points to enjoy the view and spot birds and forest animals.
Game viewing
Game viewing The Malolotja Nature Reserve is home to numerous mammals and birdlife including the rare Forest Canary and Ground Woodpecker. The tour starts with a long drive in an open game vehicle blesbuck, eland, impala, and zebra can frequently be seen. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Kaapsehoop escarpment walk
Hike through a maze of unusual rock formations for 20 minutes from Kaapsehoop and you will find yourself at the edge of the escarpment with jaw-dropping views. Here the landscape plunges 1000 meters into the Barberton Valley. At night the twinkling lights of Nelspruit and Barberton are visible. Early birds can watch the sunrise over the Swazi mountains.
When to visit malolotja national reserve.
Fabulous displays of wildflowers thrive during the spring months (October & November), with lilies, orchids, and red-hot pokers, while the valley floors support two threatened species of cycad.
Where to stay in malolotja national reserve.
Some of the places to stay in malolotja game reserve include Hawane resorts and Malolotja cabins.
| Overview |
| Size & Location |
| How to get there |
| Activities |
| Areas of interest |
| When to visit |
| Where to stay |
