Malolotja Nature Reserve Tour

Malolotja Nature Reserve is situated in the north-west of the country, approximately 30km 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 renown for its variety of bird life with over 280 species being recorded, many of them rare and the variety includes Southern Bald-ibis which can can seen 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 Sugar bird.

The park is a botanist's paradise, with its great variety of wild flowers 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 trees.

There are limited roads, but several hiking trails ranging from one-day walks 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 summer time, and an entrance fee is payable.