With only a couple weeks left in Africa, I pulled out a map in Johannesburg and tried to attempt to decide where I should go. What I saw was Swaziland sticking out like a sore thumb. I had to go. Since I really only had 3 or 4 days in Swaziland, I focused all my energy on a place called Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary right in the heart of the country. Not only is Mlilwane one of the best national parks in Swaziland, but it’s also one of the cheapest. I stayed in a hostel right in the park, and basically just drove around at will. The best part of Mlilwane is that though there are not any big game animals, like lions or elephants, their absence means that you can actually hike and cycle through the park. Unfortunately for me, they were doing some controlled burning in the park when I was there so most of the trails were closed. Still, on my three days in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, I managed to take in quite a bit of the wildlife via my car. It’s not exactly your typical African safari in Swaziland. You’ll see lots of “smaller” animals like antelope and warthogs, but the big game don’t really hang around. Moreover, well the park is fairly touristy, there’s not the same type of crowds you might see somewhere like Kruger National Park. Overall, a pretty solid time in Swaziland. There’s still one video left from Africa, so stay tuned!
