Start From
Duration: | 3 Hour(s) - 0 Minute(s) |
Tour Category: | Hiking |
After breakfast, you'll pack up and drive out of Mlilwane up the escarpment and northwards towards the beautiful Malolotja Nature Reserve in Swaziland's northwestern highlands. Malolotja provides protected wetland, woodland, highveld grassland, and mist belt forest habitats for a wide variety of plant and animal life.
The reserve's hiking trails rank among Southern Africa's finest as they offer not only a sense of true wilderness with their magnificent rugged country but also a fascinating variety of fauna and flora. Malolotja has also been recognized as one of southern Africa's important bird areas due to the significant number of threatened species recorded here.
The reserve is particularly important for breeding groups of endangered species such as blue swallow, blue crane, bald ibis, and Stanley's bustard. Mammals to look out for include eland, black wildebeest, blesbok, rhebok, rock hyrax, baboons, and the rare and elusive aardwolf.
On arrival at Malolotja, you will have the choice of two guided trails. Both trail options are scenic walks as opposed to walking wildlife safaris and the focus is on experiencing the breathtaking scenery of the reserve. One option is the Majolomba Trail, a 5km loop route starting from the Malolotja picnic site and following the beautiful and gently sloping grasslands of the Majolomba Valley.
This is a relatively easy trail that descends gently down the valley crossing the Majolomba stream six times as it weaves through beautiful grassland and vleis. At the trail's midpoint, some magnificent views of the majestic Malolotja Valley open up to the north and there is ample opportunity for some classic scenic photography. The second half of the trail climbs back up the opposite side of the Majolomba Valley and is relatively steep in places before it joins the road head which leads back to the picnic site.
The second option has the Malolotja Waterfalls as its focus and is a short 3 km out-and-back trail that begins from the Logwadja start point and descends steeply into the main Malolotja River Valley. The trail is short but strenuous as it is relatively steep on the way in and out.
The efforts are worth it, however, as the views across the entire Malolotja Valley and beyond are very impressive and rewarding. The Malolotja Falls themselves are the highest waterfalls in Swaziland (90m) and although it is only a small river the setting for the falls is quite spectacular.
After the trail, you will leave Malolotja and drive for just 45 minutes to the secluded Phophonyane Eco-Lodge where you will settle into your rooms and prepare for dinner in the spacious dining area.