Hlane Royal National Park

Hlane Royal National Park: History & Culture

Discover Hlane Royal National Park

Where Hlane Royal National Park Is

Hlane Royal National Park lies in the Lubombo lowveld of northeastern Eswatini, roughly 105 km (about 1.5 hours’ drive) east of the capital Mbabane and around 70 km northeast of Manzini, just off the MR3 highway. The park entrance sits about 1 km from the Simunye road. As Eswatini’s largest protected area, and the only place in the country with a free-roaming lion population, Hlane is the natural anchor for anyone exploring the wider Lubombo region, which also takes in Mbuluzi Game Reserve, Mlawula Nature Reserve, Shewula Nature Reserve and the Lubombo Mountains nearby.

The nearest airport is King Mswati III International Airport (SHO) at Sikhuphe, about 35 km — roughly 45 minutes — from the park. Most international travellers instead fly into O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) near Johannesburg, around 450 km and about 5 hours away by road, with Airlink and Eswatini Air also connecting Johannesburg to Manzini/Sikhuphe. Several border posts from South Africa and Mozambique serve the Lubombo region, making Hlane an easy add-on for travellers already in the area.

Royal History and Heritage

Hlane means “wilderness” in siSwati, and the park began life as the private royal hunting ground of the Swazi monarchy. By the time King Sobhuza II proclaimed it a public park in 1967, the original hunting ground’s wildlife had become depleted, and animals were subsequently reintroduced under private conservation management. Today the park is held in trust for the nation by the reigning monarch, King Mswati III, and is managed on his behalf by Big Game Parks, a private conservation organisation that also runs all of Hlane’s accommodation directly.

The park’s royal ties are still visible in its traditions. Hlane hosts the traditional royal hunt, known as Butimba, and — every second year — the Buganu (Marula) Festival, a three-day royal ceremony held at the Hlane Royal Residence, alternating with the Ebuhleni Royal Residence in the Hhohho region. Typically held in late February or early March, the festival celebrates the marula harvest with traditional song and dance, and marula beer presented to the King and Queen Mother. The lion is one of Eswatini’s royal symbols, and Hlane’s pride is the only place in the country where visitors can see lions in the wild.

Wildlife and Top Attractions

Hlane covers about 220 km² and protects four of the Big Five — lion, elephant, leopard and white rhino (buffalo is absent). The park is one of southern Africa’s most important rhino strongholds, home to both white and black rhino, and a dedicated Rhino Drive (1.5 hours, ages 13 and up) combines vehicle and walking tracking for close encounters. Reintroduced cheetah share the park with giraffe, zebra, hippo, wildebeest and a wide range of antelope.

The separately fenced Lion Area can only be visited on a guided drive — self-drive is not permitted here, though the rest of the park is open to self-drive exploration. Birdlife is a major draw too: Hlane holds one of Africa’s largest and highest-density breeding colonies of white-backed vultures, plus the southernmost known nesting site for marabou storks, among more than 300 recorded bird species. Mahlindza Dam offers a game-viewing hide over a key water source, while the waterhole in front of Ndlovu Camp regularly draws rhino and elephant into full view of the camp’s restaurant.

Where to Stay

All accommodation inside Hlane is run directly by Big Game Parks rather than by independent lodges.

Ndlovu Camp

Set at the main entrance overlooking the waterhole, Ndlovu Camp offers self-catering Double Cottages (2 units, sleeping 2, with a gas stove, fridge, kitchen and private braai), Wisteria Village Rondavels (24 units, sleeping 2, twin en-suite with a gas geyser and no electricity), a Family Cottage known as the “Big Hut” (sleeping 8, with a double room, twin room and four loft beds), Group Cottages (2 units, sleeping 8, with shared facilities) and an informal campsite under mature trees with a communal kitchen.

Bhubesi Camp

Tucked into the secluded northern end of the park, Bhubesi Camp has six Family Cottages sleeping 4, each with twin en-suite rooms, a lounge, kitchen, private braai and electricity.

Ehlatsini Bush Trails

For a more rustic stay, Ehlatsini offers overnight walking camps of one to two nights, run seasonally from April to September, with basic self-catering or communal-style amenities.

Things to Do

• Sunrise and sunset game drives (2.5 hours)
• Midday game drives (2.5 hours), which include the Lion Area
• Dedicated Rhino Drive (1.5 hours, ages 13+)
• Guided game and bird walks (2 hours, ages 13+)
• Self-drive exploration outside the Lion Area
• “SunUp” cycle tour (2 hours)
• Umphakatsi Cultural Experience (2.5 hours, groups only), visiting a traditional homestead
• Overnight bush-walk trails through the eastern Lusoti section from Ehlatsini

Gates close daily at sunset (18:00) and all visitors must be out of the park by then. For meals, the Ndlovu Camp restaurant seats 100 and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner overlooking the waterhole; self-catering guests at Ndlovu’s double cottages and Bhubesi’s family cottages have their own private braai areas, while Ndlovu’s campsite has a communal kitchen.

Local Events

The biennial Buganu (Marula) Festival is the park’s standout cultural event, alternating between the Hlane Royal Residence and the Ebuhleni Royal Residence. Nearby, the sugar-estate town of Simunye — a short drive from the park — is reported to host an October family fair with beer tents, live music, rides and novelty events, though this has not been independently confirmed and should be checked against an official Eswatini tourism calendar before travelling.

Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.