Hlane Royal National Park – Where Wilderness, Culture, and Rhino Conservation Come Alive
Hidden in the quiet lowveld of northeastern Eswatini lies Hlane Royal National Park, a place where vast grasslands, ancient hardwood forests, and shallow seasonal pans form one of Southern Africa’s most captivating wildlife sanctuaries. Known in siSwati as “Hlane” – meaning “wilderness” – this reserve is the largest and most culturally significant in the country, shaped by centuries of royal tradition and restored through decades of dedicated conservation work.
Royal Heritage: A Park Rooted in Tradition
Long before Hlane became a thriving wildlife haven, it served as the royal hunting grounds of the Swazi monarchy. The area played a central role in the traditional Butimba, a ceremonial royal hunt deeply woven into Swazi culture. In 1967, King Sobhuza II officially proclaimed the area a national park—the first and largest in Eswatini—naming it “Hlane” to honour its wild, untamed nature.
Today, the park remains under the stewardship of King Mswati III, held in trust for the Swazi nation. Management is entrusted to Big Game Parks, a conservation organisation responsible for rewilding Hlane after decades of poaching had decimated wildlife populations in the region. Their efforts restored a flourishing ecosystem and brought many species back to the park.
A Landscape of Wide Horizons & Ancient Trees
Hlane is defined by its distinctive flat lowveld terrain, stretching across more than 22,000 hectares. Expansive grasslands merge with thick bushveld and towering hardwoods such as leadwood, tambuti, and knobthorn— living relics that have stood for centuries. Seasonal pans dot the landscape, filling after the summer rains and becoming lifelines for wildlife during the dry months.
The openness of the terrain means wildlife sightings are frequent and often dramatic: elephants meandering across sunlit plains, rhinos grazing in peaceful clearings, and eagles riding warm thermals overhead. This natural visibility is a key reason Hlane remains one of Southern Africa’s most rewarding safari destinations.
Wildlife: Big Game, Birds, and Everything In Between
Hlane hosts an impressive array of wildlife, including four of Africa’s Big Five—elephants, rhinos, lions, and leopards. The park’s rewilding initiative successfully reintroduced many species that once vanished from the region. Today, visitors may encounter:
- White & Black Rhinos: One of Eswatini’s largest populations, with white rhinos frequently seen in groups.
- Elephants: Reintroduced in the 1980s and now thriving in healthy family herds.
- Lions: Housed in a designated drive-through section where visitors may hear them roaring at night.
- Leopards: Elusive and seldom seen, yet present across the park’s denser woodlands.
- Giraffes, Zebra, Wildebeest: Common sightings across Hlane’s open plains.
- Antelope species: Including kudu, impala, nyala, waterbuck, and steenbok.
- Hyenas & Cheetahs: Hyenas are frequently heard at night; cheetahs have been reintroduced.
Bird lovers will find Hlane extraordinary: with 300+ species, the park includes Africa’s densest known colony of white-backed vultures and the southernmost recorded nesting site of the marabou stork. Colorful rollers, raptors, hornbills, and waterbirds flourish across the park’s diverse habitats.
Rhino Conservation: A Rare African Success Story
Across Africa, rhino poaching remains a devastating crisis—but Hlane Royal National Park stands as a shining example of what determined conservation can achieve. Between 1993 and 2019, Eswatini recorded only three poaching incidents nationwide—a staggering contrast to neighbouring countries. This success results from some of Africa’s strongest anti-poaching legislation and a highly trained, well-equipped ranger corps.
Unlike many reserves, Hlane does not routinely dehorn its rhinos. Instead, the park relies on intensive monitoring, patrols, and community engagement to protect these iconic animals. Because of this, visitors have the rare privilege of seeing rhinos with their full horns intact—an unforgettable and increasingly rare wildlife experience.
The park also works with international conservation networks. Notably, Hlane welcomed a group of genetically valuable black rhinos translocated from South Africa in 2019 to diversify Eswatini’s breeding population, strengthening
Join Our Camping Safaris to Hlane – Departing from Kruger Park Hostel
At Kruger Park Hostel, we offer immersive 2-day / 1-night camping safaris into Hlane Royal National Park. It’s the perfect adventure for backpackers, wildlife enthusiasts, and travellers who want to experience Eswatini’s wilderness up close.
Our Hlane expedition includes tented camping, meals, park entrance fees, and guided experiences—plus the thrill of sleeping in an unfenced camp where wildlife roams freely. You’ll have the chance to join guided game drives, witness rhinos at the waterhole, and even take part in Hlane’s legendary Rhino Walk, led by expert rangers.
Learn more or book your adventure here:
Hlane Camping Safari – Kruger Park Hostel
A Wilderness Experience You’ll Never Forget
Hlane is more than a national park—it is a living example of how culture, conservation, and wilderness can coexist. Whether you’re watching elephants at the waterhole, hearing lions roar in the night, or standing in awe before a fully horned rhino, Hlane leaves an impact that lasts long after you leave.
For travellers looking for meaning, adventure, and a deep connection to nature, Hlane Royal National Park is a destination that delivers on every level.
