Kingdom of Swaziland

Last week I went for a couple of days to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (Swaziland) with my family.
At our arrival we were greeted by a crocodile, lying with it's mouth wide open at the end of a footpath, a bunch of zebras and antelopes grazing lazily just a couple of meters from the gravel road, and a camp full of warthogs and tame nyalas.

It's low season, so the camp was almost empty and we had all the facilities practically to ourselves. I was amazed at the cost of the cabins, 60 rand per person per night (thats about 5 US dollars!).

A couple of differences I noticed between Mlilwane and other reserves I've been to are:

• You can walk around without a guide (at your own risk of course).
• Mlilwane used to be a farm, therefore most of the vegetation was planted. It's a very movie like scenario, incredibly beautiful.
• There are fewer predators. Just Crocodiles (that get fed on a regular basis) and a few leopards. Therefore, prey (antelopes, zebras, warthogs, etc) aren't as alert as they usually are in a more 'natural' environment like Kruger Park.
• For the same reason stated above, animals are a lot tamer. There are nyalas and warthogs at the camp, some nyalas will allow you to pat them if you give them a treat.
• There are a lot of Hippos and yet you are allowed to walk/bike just a few meters from them. Hippos are very aggressive, and often regarded as the most dangerous animal in Africa. Nevertheless, there's no record of any human deaths at Mlilwane and you are recommended not to go out before sunrise or after sunset.
• By the restaurant there's a pond. Crocodiles, turtles and fish can be seen there in summer, and in winter the hippos go there too. Lean over the veranda at your own risk!

We walked and biked around, did a couple of short (1 or 2 hs aprox) but interesting paths (ish, my adrenaline was kindda pumped while walking through the crocodile trail!) saw many animals including hippos, antelopes, crocodiles, warthogs & zebras. There were also leopards and I must say, as we were walking around the park with no guide, we fortunately didn't come across any.

I fully recommend this place to anyone who's around Swaziland and enjoys being outdoors, in a very calm place and in contact with nature.

Raf