Lubombo Conservancy

The reserves of Hlane, Mlawula, Mbuluzi and Shewula fall within a larger project called the Lubombo Conservancy. This aims to protect the biodiversity of North East Eswatini (Swaziland), also helping improve life for people through more sustainable use of natural resources. This area is also where most big game is found. The free-roaming herds of the past are gone, but a far-sighted conservation programme has preserved the habitat and replenished much of its original wildlife.

The low, flat bushveld terrain, rising to the rugged Lubombos, is just like that of the southeast Kruger Park in South Africa, a little to the north. Indeed, before roads, borders, sugar estates and other impediments, this region was just as wild and teeming with big game. In todays world, wildlife can be found in the reserves.

You have a choice of reserves in which to experience this wild Eswatini of yesteryear – and also to get a flavour of community life: Hlane Royal National Park is managed by Big Game Parks and home to abundant wildlife, much of it re-introduced; Mlawula Nature Reserve is run by the Eswatini National Trust Commission, with pristine bush that reaches to the top of the Lubombos, but is more challenging in terms of both game-viewing and accommodation; Mbuluzi Game Reserve is effectively a small slice of Mlawula but, under private management, has easier game-viewing and better facilities; Shewula Mountain Camp is a community project high in the Lubombos, where visitors can combine wild nature with local culture.