Swaziland Accommodation Hlane Royal National Park Traveller Feedback
Hlane Royal National Park
Address: Hlane Royal National Park , Simunye view mapHlane is a the Kingdom's largest protected area and together with its neighbouring parks makes up the vast bushveld expanse known as the Lubombo Conservancy. Here in eastern Swaziland the hot, still rhythm of Africa beats on as it has for thousands of years. However, it is a modern day conservation success story that has seen this area survive competing land-use claims - sugar farming, mining and cattle-ranching. The fact that the roar of the lion, symbol of the Swazi King, now reverberates across the lowveld again - is a fascinating story, which will keep you enthralled. Visit Hlane, see the displays, read the park's history and enjoy the tale of two wise Swazi Kings, who've entrusted this park for the Swazi Nation, their children and their children's children.
A network of self-drive game-viewing roads criss-cross the park's flat terrain, weaving between the 1000 year old hardwood vegetation and shallow pans, which attract great herds of animals during the dry winter months. Hlane, named by King Sobhuza II, extends for 30,000 hectares and is home to lion, elephant, white rhino, leopard, giraffe, hippo, crocodile and a wealth of smaller species. Birdlife is abundant and includes the highest density of nesting white backed vultures in Africa.
Guided walking safaris, mountain biking trails and 4x4 game-viewing are highlights, whilst almost all areas of the park are accessible by ordinary self-drive sedan during the dry season.
Hlane consists of a main restcamp called Ndlovu ("elephant" in siSwati), a series of self-catering cottages at a site called Bhubesi ("lion" in siSwati) and some remote 4x4 campsites.
A hot tip from your local connection: wake up before dawn at Ndlovu Camp, pack a picnic breakfast and drive out to Mahlindza Waterhole (4km). Sip a hot coffee in the bird hide whilst the mist over the waterhole clears, then sit quietly whilst herds of game emerge blinking in the early sunlight. It's so quiet you can hear drinking.
Another hot tip from your local connection: visit the same waterhole at sunset, but use the viewing area to the east of the waterhole. Catch a classic image of a hippo waving its jaws in the air whilst silhouetted against golden ripples of a setting sun.
The "caring for the customer" rating is an aggregate score for the five parameters we survey (welcome, the service, charm, cleanliness/maintenance and overall experience/value for money. There must be a minimum of 3 traveller ratings we can average before we display a rating for the property. We also age traveller ratings and discard any that are over twelve months old.
- 4.50
- 4.06
- 4.44
- 4.63
- 4.50
- Reunion
on 17 May 2013
What a pity because thr place si very charming and the staff of the restaurant very fine.
- South Africa
on 01 May 2013
- Germany
on 04 Nov 2012
The experiences with the waterhole were the best we have in almost 7 weeks in South Africa. Only illumination during night is missing:
- South Africa
on 08 Oct 2012
- South Africa
on 18 Jul 2012
- South Africa
on 13 Jul 2012
- South Africa
on 10 Jul 2012
- South Africa
on 21 Jun 2012
- Germany
on 22 Apr 2012
- Germany
on 14 Apr 2012
- Germany
on 25 Jun 2011
the service could be better.
- United Kingdom
on 27 Sep 2010
The self drive around the Park is not really suitable for sedan type vehicles due to the large humps and ruts and encroachment of Camel Thorn onto the roadways which caused several scratches to my rental car.
- Spain and Canary Islands
on 01 Jun 2010
- United States
on 13 Sep 2009
- South Africa
on 08 Sep 2009
- South Africa
on 16 Apr 2009
