Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Protected natural area in Ezulwini Valley, Eswatini.
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected conservation area covering around 4,560 hectares in the Ezulwini Valley. The landscape consists of open grasslands and savanna vegetation framed by granite mountain peaks, with Nyonyane Mountain forming a dramatic eastern border.
The land was originally used for tin mining and farming before becoming Eswatini's first protected conservation area in 1961. The transformation required substantial restoration work to heal the damaged landscape and establish a functioning wildlife reserve.
The name comes from siSwati words meaning Little Fire, referencing the lightning storms that frequently struck Mlilwane Hill in the past. Walking through the sanctuary, you notice how the landscape remains central to local understanding of this place.
You can explore the sanctuary through hiking trails, mountain biking routes, horseback riding, or driving your own vehicle on the roads provided. The absence of large predators makes it easy to move around freely without special safety precautions.
The wetland system near Rest Camp is home to hippos, crocodiles, and numerous water birds that stay year-round, creating a water-rich pocket within the grassland landscape. Many visitors overlook this concentrated area of wildlife activity when exploring the drier parts of the sanctuary.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
