Hlane Royal National Park in Swaziland
Ancient Acacia forests, an abundance of big and small game viewing, vibrant bird life and falling asleep to the music of nocturnal creatures: this is a recipe for the perfect safari. With their expert guides you will be able to explore a range of habitats – from savannah to riverine forest and thickets – and experience the best wildlife and bird life that Hlane Royal National Park in Swaziland has to offer.
-
Best Time to Go
May – September
-
Average Safari Cost
$80 - $1,000 pp/day
-
Highlights
Rhino drive, four of the Big Five (buffalo is absent), 260 bird species, cycling at sunrise, self-drives, guided bush trails (overnight camping)
Why Visit Hlane Royal National Park
The wildlife is great, the residents are welcoming, the activities are fun and informative, and the camping is fully-catered. Let’s not forget the beautifully wild terrain, and the stunning bird life.
With game drives at 3 times during the day – sunrise, midday and sunset – and a specialized Rhino Drive, Hlane Royal offers wonderful wildlife viewing and fantastic guides. If you would prefer to drive yourself instead, you can do that too. Keep in mind though, if you want to see lions, you will have to take a guided game drive.
The Rhino Drive offers visitors the opportunity to track the White rhino with their guide. There are times when you may even be allowed to approach a rhino on foot. Of course, this all depends on whether the rhino is actually approachable. The guide will know best which rhinos you are able to approach and you should always listen to your guide.
Going cycling at sunrise, taking a guided walk through the bush and along game paths or spending a night (or two) sleeping under the stars, are a few of the great experiences that Hlane Royal has to offer.
When you’ve taken in all the scenery and wildlife that you can manage, perhaps you might enjoy visiting the Hlane Umphakatsi (the Chief Village), where you can engage with locals, experience the rural Swazi lifestyle and perhaps even join in on their day-to-day activities.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Wildlife viewing is fantastic
- The guides are knowledgeable and pleasant
- The local culture is rich, and the people are welcoming
- Birdwatching is great
- There are several game viewing activities to choose from
Cons
- The only way to reach Swaziland by air is from Johannesburg, South Africa
- Carjacking can occur on popular routes to and from Swaziland – please remain vigilant.
Best Time to Go
Swaziland is best visited from May to September, when the dry season is in full swing. This is the best time to see animals, and more comfortable as well, without all the rain.
From October to April is the rain season. While birding is always great during this time, it is best to be fully equipped in wet-weather gear.
Temperatures are generally mild all year, never getting uncomfortably hot or humid, or too cold. Although the rainfall can be a little inconvenient.
For more information when to visit see our Swaziland Safari - Complete Travel Guide.
Start your African Adventure
Popular Tours
4 Day Kruger Camping Safari
Wild Planet`s 4 Day Kruger Safari a perfect introduction to South Africa's Kruger National Park. On this tour you will spend 3 nights at 2 different Rest Camps inside the National Park. We choose the camps based on the best wildlife viewing opportunities. The tour is an absolute must for first time visitors to South Africa and for wildlife enthusiasts. Kruger Park is one of the best examples of conservation in Africa. The Park is home to the `Big 5` and many other endangered animals that you have always dreamed of seeing. Join us on your ultimate dream African vacation.
4 Day Kruger Safari
Wild Planet`s 4 Day Kruger Safari a perfect introduction to South Africa's Kruger National Park. On this tour you will spend 3 nights at 2 different Rest Camps inside the National Park. We choose the camps based on the best wildlife viewing opportunities. The tour is an absolute must for first time visitors to South Africa and for wildlife enthusiasts. Kruger Park is one of the best examples of conservation in Africa. The Park is home to the `Big 5` and many other endangered animals that you have always dreamed of seeing. Join us on your ultimate dream African vacation.
6 Day Kruger Safari
Wild Planet Safari`s 6 day Kruger Safari is the first of our extended Kruger tours, the safari has been designed for wildlife enthusiasts and guests with a longing to be in the African bush for lengthier periods of time. Our expert guides will help to nurture and grow any special interest you may have and their experience and knowledge of animal territories and habitats is sure to provide many exciting wildlife sightings over the 6 day safari.
South Africa Rainbow Route - SAa17
The Rainbow Route is an overview tour of South Africa including neighbouring Kingdom of Swaziland. The tour covers many highlights with a strong focus on the national parks. This diverse country is explored over great distances that may involve long days on the road, generally followed by a full day to experience the area. The fully accommodated tour offers a great value for money way to explore South Africa.
Wildlife and Birds
- Lion
- Elephant
- Cheetah
- Leopard
- Hippo
- Hyena
- Giraffe
- White Rhino
- Wildebeest
- Zebra
- Baboon
- Crocodile
The main mammals to be seen in Hlane Royal are the lion, elephant, White rhino, giraffe and hippo. The Rhino Drive is a fantastic way to see more of the white rhino, and to get a chance to approach them on foot.
Rare Animals
- Civet
- Wildcat
- Caracal
- Cheetah
- Jackal
- Serval
Infrequently Seen Animals
- Bushbaby
- Bushpig
- Elephant
- Honey badger
- Hyena
- Leopard
- Lion
- Samango monkey
- Vervet monkey
- Nyala
- White rhino
- Warthog
- Weasel
- Blue wildebeest
- Crocodile
Frequently Seen Animals
- Baboon
- Bushbuck
- Grey duiker
- Giraffe
- Hippo
- Impala
- Klipspringer
- Mongoose
- Reedbuck
- Steenbok
- Waterbuck
- Zebra
With over 260 species, bird watching in Hlane is sure to be a wonderful experience. The guides are very knowledgeable, and once you express your need to see more birds than game, they will gladly take you to where you need to be. Be on the lookout for the Secretarybird, the Violet-backed Starling and the African Crowned Eagle.
Endangered Birds
For a complete list of endangered birds in Swaziland see here.
Endemic and Near Endemic Birds
- Terrestrial Brownbul
- Golden-breasted Bunting
- Gorgeous Bush-Shrike
- Bronze-winged Courser
- Le Vaillant’s
- Tambourine Dove
- African Crowned Eagle
- Lesser Spotted Eagle
- Verreaux’s Eagle-Owl
- African Finfoot
- Pel’s Fishing-Owl
- Southern Ground-Hornbill
- Crested Guineafowl
- Retz’s Helmet-Shrike
- White-crested Helmet-Shrike
- Trumpeter Hornbill
- African Pygmy-Kingfisher
- Senegal Lapwing
- Narina Trogon
- Eastern Nicator
- White-backed Night-Heron
- Square-tailed Nightjar
- Yellow-billed Oxpecker
- Greater Painted-Snipe
- Collared Pratincole
- Green-winged Pytilia
- African Scops-Owl
- Secretarybird
- Violet-backed Starling
- Saddle-billed Stork
- Purple-banded Sunbird
- Southern Tchagra
- Yellow-fronted Tinkerbird
- Lappet-faced Vulture
Getting There and Safety
There is only one way to reach Swaziland by air: from Johannesburg. Travelling from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will land at King Mswati III International Airport in Swaziland, and travel from there by car to Hlane Royal National Park.
Alternatively, you could reach Hlane Royal by car from Johannesburg (Gauteng), Durban (Kwa-Zulu Natal), Nelspruit (Mpumalanga) and Maputo (Mozambique).
For the flights to Swaziland via South Africa, it is advised to check Skyscanner (for multiple destination flights), to see which airlines can take you there and compare various ticket prices.
If you are based in the UK and Europe, check out these flights.
If you are based in the USA and Canada, check out these flights.
For more information on visas see our Swaziland Safari - Complete Country Guide.
The concern for malaria is very low for Swaziland, but there is still the possibility for it. A good insect repellent (30% DEET or more) and keeping your arms and legs covered at night should help with the mosquitoes.
Check your local travel health authority for more information:
Going on a safari in Africa comes with obvious risks. We recommend you get travel insurance for all safaris in Swaziland. Make sure your insurance has full medical coverage, emergency air evacuation, repatriation and the standard travel insurance for cancellations, delays and luggage cover.
Check World Nomads’ travel insurance calculator to see the cost of your safari trip cover.
Sunscreen and a wide-brimmed sunhat are essential for every safari. Don’t forget to bring extra rechargeable batteries for your camera (and the battery charger).
Swaziland is generally mild all year, but if you are planning to visit to during the rainy season (October – April) it would be best to bring appropriate wet-weather gear. Also, from May to August, the nights and early mornings can be chilly as this is the winter season, so bring along a warm sweater or two.
And, of course, pack the essentials such toiletries, general clothing, hiking boots and trail shoes, etc.
For more details on what to pack see our Safari Packing List.
Swaziland is generally a safe country and the locals tend to be friendly. However, pickpocketing can occur in busy markets and at bus stations; caution is advised. Do no tempt fate by wearing expensive jewellery or advertising your money. The basic safety guidelines that you would follow in your own country, should apply here as well.
There is also the possibility of car hijackings to and from Swaziland on the main routes. Please remain vigilant and do not stop for hitchhikers or cars that seem to be broken down on the side of the road – these are common ploys used by hijackers.