Average Expert Rating
Rating Breakdown
Write a User ReviewPristine Wilderness in the Swazi Highlands
Accommodation within the reserve is limited to some rather run-down self-catering cottages but the views over rolling hills and rugged mountains in the background is phenomenal. Conveniently, there is a restaurant as well, but note that you need to get your dinner order in early as it closes at 6pm.
Malolotja’s mountainous landscapes are its greatest draw but there is a fair amount of wildlife around. Big herds of blesbok and smaller groups of eland are easily seen around the cottages. When out on a hike, you might hear baboons barking before
Read more
you see them. Also keep your eyes peeled for klipspringers – these dainty antelope are perfectly adapted to the rugged terrain. Birdwatchers will find Malolotja especially rewarding. The highland habitats host a superb selection of specials, including the iconic bald ibis, which often soars over the cliffs or forages in open areas.The reserve offers some of the best hiking in the region. Trails wind through mountains and valleys to hidden waterfalls, crystal-clear streams, and the Malolotja Potholes – smooth, sculpted basins in the riverbed where hikers can take a refreshing swim. Whether you prefer short walks, full-day treks or even overnight hikes, the reserve’s trail network has something for everyone.
For those seeking a dose of adrenaline, the Malolotja Canopy Tour is a must. This ziplining adventure sends you gliding over cliffs, gorges and treetops, offering bird’s-eye views of the terrain and an exhilarating way to experience the reserve’s dramatic topography.
Wild and Beautiful Hiking
Malolotja is comparatively small but very scenic nature reserve in the western highlands of Eswatini, bordering South Africa. It comprises high grasslands and narrow valleys with some beautiful waterfalls and pools where you can swim.
Don’t come here expecting to see lots of wildlife – although we did see blesbok and eland close to the main camp, plus black wildebeest, zebra and reedbuck in the upland grasslands. There are also some special mountain birds including bald ibis, sentinel rock thrush and black eagle.
Do come here if you love wild hiking! There are a number of trails and wilderness campsites (with no facilities), with options for half-day excursions to multi-day hikes to really immerse yourself in this wild, rugged scenery.
As well as camping, there are some simple self-catering chalets near the main reception area.
Malolotja is also home to a canopy ride, where thrill-seekers can zip across a spectacular valley suspended on a wire.
Soar like a bird in a birder’s paradise
Malalotja Nature Reserve is more for fans of flora than fauna, boasting some of the most rugged and unspoiled scenes of nature in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). That said, it should be every birder’s first stop in Eswatini and those who want to find some excitement after a day in Mbabane can traverse the Malalotja canopy via 10 zip slides and a 50m-long suspension bridge. If your reason for visiting Eswatini is to seek out large mammals, then this is not the park you’re looking for: head instead to Hlane or Mkhaya. But if you want to escape the game vehicle and spend some quality time with some fresh air, scenic views and 280 species of bird, then Malalotja is the park for you.