Hlane Royal National Park

Hlane Royal National Park is Eswatini’s most iconic wilderness, a place where the landscape is dominated by ancient hardwood trees and wide, dusty tracks. Once a private royal hunting ground, the park is now a sanctuary for a massive population of white rhinos, who are often seen congregating peacefully at the camp’s main waterhole. The atmosphere here is quiet and intimate, offering a more rustic and authentic safari experience than many of the larger parks in the region. At night, you can sit by the fire and listen to the distant roar of lions and the calls of over 300 bird species echoing through the bush. It is a place where you feel close to the land and its wildlife, offering a simple and powerful connection with the natural world.

• Where it is: Eastern Eswatini.
• What you can expect to see: Lions, elephants, and a high concentration of white rhinos.
• How much it is to get in: ~$5 USD (70 E).
• What people say: Visitors love the intimacy, saying you can watch rhinos drink just meters away.
• Interesting fact: Hlane means ‘Wilderness’ in the SiSwati language.