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Eswatini

Eswatini Legend Camping

Fully Guided
Self-drive
Camping
4x4 & 4x2 Tour
6 Nights
exclusive tour by bonsai-sa

Sunset in the Hlane Royal National Park

An aloe in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

The Eswatini legend

Amazing wildlife experiences

OVERVIEW

Eswatini Legend

On this tour, you visit Eswatini. Despite being the smallest landlocked country in the Southern hemisphere, and the second smallest country in continental Africa, Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, more than makes up for its lack of size with a hugely diverse range of attractions and activities.

elephant
antelop

Witness the will of a nation to turn the almost extinction of wildlife into the protection of wildlife and nature in various parks and reserves.

Our tours allow you access to national parks and reserves that are not frequently visited. The surrounding wilderness, the remoteness and the seclusion of travelling through rarely seen areas are the main attraction of our tours. Although we travel mainly on tarred roads, the wilderness experience is not compromised.

A qualified 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide will lead the trail and will also assist with off-road aspects when necessary. The tour is aimed at true nature lovers and ones who enjoy the wilderness and is not designed as an obstacle course or endurance test.

You will drive your own vehicle and you must make provision for your own provisions, camping equipment, sufficient supply of water, firewood and food.

You will visit the following national parks and nature reserves.

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary - It is Eswatini's (formerly Swaziland) pioneer conservation area, a shining example of what is possible if passion, vision and action fuse. Once a highly profitable multi-purpose farm, and being labelled an “impossible dream”, Mlilwane was proclaimed in 1961 and is now the kingdom's most popular eco-destination for locals and internationals alike.

The name 'Mlilwane' (“Little Fire“ in siSwati) was derived from the numerous fires started by lightning strikes on the Mlilwane Hill but now holds significance as the little fire that ignited the conservation movement in Swaziland.

Hlane Royal National Park - It was proclaimed as a National Park in 1967, following Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (1961), under instruction of King Sobhuza ll. "Hlane" is the siSwati name for “wilderness”.

Hlane is a typical lowveld destination with exciting species lists including impressive ancient hardwood habitats, big game and rich birdlife. This 22,000 ha park, once the region's rich hunting grounds, still boasts the largest herds of game in the Kingdom with speciality species being lion, elephant, vultures and marabou stork.

Bulembu - It was once a thriving asbestos mining community of about 10,000 people. Due to the health risks associated with asbestos, the mine was closed and basically everything in the town came to a standstill. In later years the old infrastructure was upgraded and today it is home to about 1,000 orphans, an internationally recognized school for these youngsters, a country lodge and honey farming to name a few.

Bulembu Country Lodge lies at the foot of Mount Emlembe, the highest mountain in Swaziland. The town is surrounded by lush green hills and eucalyptus forests, perfectly complementing the natural beauty of this region.

A deposit of 30% confirms the booking!

The balance is payable 60 days before the tour date. SEE MORE INFO

view of the mountains
tree
TOUR FEATURES & FAQs

4x2 or 4x4 | Camping

Have a look at the tour features and some of the frequently asked questions

A 4x2 vehicle is suitable for the road conditions on this tour.
A 4x4 vehicle is suitable for the road conditions on this tour.
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The total length of the off-road trailer/caravan may not to exceed 4,2m. The smaller the better.
The total length of the off-road trailer/caravan may not to exceed 4,2m. The smaller the better.
It is possible that vehicles will be scratched as we are in nature. It will be nothing serious.
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Meals | Drinks

Have a look at the meals and drinks plan for the tour

MEALS
YES / NO
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DRINKS
YES / NO
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camping
ACCOMMODATION TYPE

Camping

Ablution facilities are available

The campsites have shared ablution facilities, water and electricity (Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Bulembu Lodge) / no electricity (Hlane Royal National Park). You must make provision for your own provisions, including tents and camping gear, water, firewood and food.

TOUR SIZE

Place for only 5
vehicles on the tour

Normally a minimum of three (3) vehicles are required to make the tour happen, but we would be happy to quote you for less than three vehicles.

We can also assist with additional bookings before and/or after the tour.

TOUR ITINERARY

Our Traveling Plans

We did a lot of research to bring you an exciting itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Pretoria, meet your guide and drive in convoy to Mlilwane via the Waverley/Lundzi Border Post.

Day 2

Drive to the top of the mountain (weather permitting) and explore Mlilwane on your own. Visit the Nkwenya Glass Factory and the Mantenga Cultural Village.

Day 3

Drive to Hlane Royal National Park via the Top of World View and the world's biggest granite rock.

Day 4

Join a morning walk, later drive to a bird hide and be surprised by the animal and bird life.

Day 5

Join a sunrise drive (including the Lion Camp) and then explore Hlane on your own. Join the Umphakatsi Experience by visiting a real Chief’s village. Watch the bird life in the camp.

Day 6

Drive to the Bulembu Country Lodge. Visit the Bulembu Museum.

Day 7

Drive to Pretoria via the Josefsdal/Bulembu Border Post. The pass between the Josefsdal border post and Barberton is the drive's highlight.

itinerary elephant
INCLUDED & EXCLUDED

Plan For This Tour

Have a look at what is included and excluded in this exclusive tour

INCLUDED
  • Campsite for two adults
  • Conservation fees for two adults
  • Trail cost for one vehicle with two adults
  • Hand-held radios
  • Vist to the Ngwanya Glass Factory
  • Vist to the Mantenga Cultural Village
  • Hlane Morning drive for two adults
  • Hlane Morning walk for two adults
  • Hlane Umphakatsi Experience for two adults
  • Bulembu Museum for two adults
  • Professional trail guide(s) where applicable
  • Professional 4x4 and overlanding adventure guide
EXCLUDED
  • Fuel - Pretoria to and from Eswatini and driving in Eswatini (±1 350 km)
  • Airfares
  • Vehicles
  • Toll fees
  • Visas
  • Border and Eswatini road fees
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • Snacks and beverages
  • Medicine
  • Water
  • Fire wood
  • Camping equipment
  • Cost of additional activities
OPTIONAL
  • Rental Vehicle
TRAIL GRADING

Grade 2

We use the following TRAIL GRADING.

Maintained dirt roads: these roads are graded and maintained year round. Typical non-paved country roads.

Easy 2WD/4WD: feature trails with obstacles that are easy to navigate. In optimum weather conditions, these trails may not require the continual use of 4WD.

Standard 4WD trails: demanding trails on which 4WD is required. You will encounter a variety of more difficult challenges (loose rocks, large potholes, steep inclines/declines and large rocks) on these trails. Possible with stock 4WD vehicle; however, traction device, off-road tyres and low air pressure are recommended. Higher than stock ground clearance is advisable. Low range often used. Moderate experience and driving skills advised. Paint damage and/or possible rocker panel damage is likely.

Difficult trails: these trails traverse very rugged terrain and low range 4WD is required. Higher than stock ground clearance is required. Aggressive tread and low air pressure are required. Traction devices, as well as lift and larger tyres are highly recommended. These trails require above average off-road driving skills. Hi-lift jacks and winches would also be helpful. Paint damage and possible vehicle body and/or mechanical damage are likely.

Impassable trails: these trails are for the extreme four-wheeler only. These trails require highly modified vehicles, including lift, excellent articulation, traction devices front and rear, large tyres with aggressive tread, winches and hi-lift jacks. A high level of off-road driving skills is required. Paint damage is virtually guaranteed, while body and/or mechanical damage is very likely. Roll-overs will be more common on these trails and a winch will be used on at least one obstacle.

BOOKING

Make This Tour a Reality!

A deposit of 80% is required to secure your place on the tour, with the balance due 60 days before the start of the tour. Full payment if booking less than 60 days before the tour start date. An invoice or request for payment will be sent. Payments must be made within 7 days of the invoice or payment request date.

Terms and conditions will apply.

The link will redirect you to the Calendar and Bookings page. Navigate to the specific date and make the booking.

BOOK THIS TOUR!
Tariff 2025
From R13 491 per vehicle With 2 Adults*

Tariff 2026
Not available yet

*Tariff indicated is for 3+ Vehicles
Tariff for 1 vehicle can be quoted

Request Quotation