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. 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.

Mlilwane offers a variety of accommodation options, from luxury catered rooms to self-catering chalets and camping.

Rest Camp Huts: The Mlilwane Rest Camp is found in the southern corner of the reserve, in the midst of a well-matured rehabilitated area. Tall indigenous trees, all grown from seed, now tower over the camp overlooking an artificially created wetland system, which is home to hippopotamus, crocodile and a variety of water birds including infrequent visiting fish eagles. The camp is unfenced, yet relatively safe as only smaller species of wildlife occur in the Sanctuary. Warning is given to camp patrons to be aware of hippo during the evenings, though this has not been a major concern during the camp's 40-year history. The camp is tranquil and relaxing with a continual stream of animals such as impala, warthog and nyala and ostrich walking between the facilities quietly tolerant of human presence.

There is a semi-circle of 8 rustic Rest Camp huts around the central Rest camp area, all consisting of a single room with an en-suite bathroom. The first six are wooden and thatch huts and the last two are Swazi Style grass beehives. Self-catering and bed & breakfast.

Beehive Village: The two 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. The huts are simple and sparsely furnished containing beds, a small table, bedside light and fan. Some are en suite with their own bathrooms attached. More than 40 people can be accommodated in the village without bathrooms and an additional 30 in the en-suite beehive village. Self-catering and bed & breakfast.

Shonalanga Family Cottage: Situated in the Mlilwane Rest Camp, overlooking the Mhlambanyatsi River, is the Shonalanga cottage. Self catering and suitable for a large family group with it's own private braai area and not too far from the swimming pool.

Reilly's Rock: Formally the home of Mickey Reilly, one of Swaziland's earliest white settlers and a highly entrepreneurial man, the house has remained in the family and has recently been transformed into a unique up-market hilltop lodge tastefully decorated in keeping with its colonial roots. Notwithstanding the necessary subtle additions and renovations, the house still stands as it was built almost a century ago.

The original house has three bedrooms, all accessible form the veranda. Two of these rooms have double beds and their own private bathroom across the veranda, while the third room, Reilly's Room, is complete with fireplace and en suite bathroom. The fourth en suite room is a converted office. Separate from the house is the cottage encircled by a wide veranda comprising of tow en-suite rooms with a communal lounge and fireplace. Dinner, bed & breakfast accommodation.

Sondzela: IYHF recognized hostel, falling under Hostelling International South Africa (HISA) and a member of the Backpacking Swaziland Association. Set in the beautiful Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Sondzela offers backpackers comfortable accommodation in scenic gardens perfectly situated with access to the numerous activities and site-seeing opportunities that Big Game Parks and Swaziland presents you. Sondzela is on a private road and can only be accessed by Sondzela's backpacker visitors. The lodge is approximately 15 minutes walk from the Mlilwane Rest Camp and consists of 2 houses and 12 rondavels with double and single, ample safe parking, a large garden and camping area, swimming pool and games area.

Sondzela is located on the sanctuary's southern boundary overlooking the Mhlambanyatsi Valley, offering a stunning view of the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and the distant mountains whilst impala, zebra and warthog graze in the beautiful gardens below the canopy of trees that are visited by an abundance of birds. The lodge is within walking distance to the Malkerns main road and the Mahlanya Fresh Produce Market. Includes swimming pool, bar, laundry, DSTV, games room, soccer and volley ball. Self-catering.

Chubeka Trails: Horse Riding & Mountain Bike overnight trails in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Fully catered, excluding alcoholic beverages.

Self-catering camping is also on offer.

One of the attractive features of the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Rest Camp is the Hippo Haunt Restaurant that overlooks the Hippo Pool providing good, wholesome meals including venison. The restaurant consists of a cozy inside area with a fireplace and comfortable couches as well as two outside wooden deck areas where one can enjoy meals and drinks from the bar. Please note that Mlilwane is fully licensed and it's requested that all alcohol be purchased at Mlilwane.

General public picnic areas are situated around the Rest Camp with communal braai 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 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 Mlilwane Wildlife 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.

Guided Land Rover game drives and traditional Swazi dancing are also on offer.

Just outside of the main rest camp is a very interesting Interpretation Centre well worth a visit. Here you can view skulls 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.

MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY CONSERVATION FEE ZAR 35 per person per day.

Rates quoted in SA Rand (ZAR) per person per night. Prices are subject to confirmation at time of booking. Rates include 14% tax where applicable, but exclude any tourism / bed levies.