Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari: A One-of-a-Kind Wildlife Experience
There's nothing quite like experiencing animals in their natural habitat, and a safari is the epitome of a bucket list animal experience. But the Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari isn't just any ordinary safari, it's one that will simply blow your mind!
Imagine not only witnessing one of the big five, but actually being able to get up close to them!
The rhino walking safari in Eswatini is one of our most cherished memories from our Southern Africa road trip, and we're here to share all of the details with you so that you can experience it too.
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📍 Where Can You Do the Rhino Walking Safari in Eswatini?
There are actually two places that you can do the rhino walking safari in Eswatini, and we're going to share the info for both them.
The Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari we were originally going to do is in Mkhaya Game Reserve, and the one we ended up doing was at Hlane Royal National Park.
Hlane Royal National Park is located in the North East of Eswatini, and Mkhaya Game Reserve is located an hour south of Hlane.
How to Get to the National Parks
Both Hlane National park and Mkhaya Game Reserve are pretty remote, and don't have any big cities very nearby. It's best to rent a car to get to them, or you can organize a tour with local to take you there.
Hlane National Park is a bit more "DIY friendly", while Mkhaya Game Reserve is more exclusive, and needed to be planned in advance.
🚌 How to Get to Hlane Royal National Park
If you don't have a car or a guide, you can alternatively take a bus from Manzini towards Simunye, and tell the driver you need to get off at the Hlane National Park gate entrance.
We'd recommend letting the reception know if this is the way you choose to go, as then they can arrange a transfer from the front gate into the park itself.
🚗 How to Get to Mkhaya Game Reserve
There are no buses that go near Mkhaya Game Reserve, so you'll either have to drive or hire a transfer/guide from Manzini, which is a little under an hour away from the reserve.
It's important to note that if you are driving the point that comes up on Google Maps is incorrect, and you'll have to plug these coordinates in the find the game reserve: -26.659814 S, 31.742943 E.
The Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari: Tour Prices & Times
The main difference between Hlane National Park and Mkhaya Game Reserve is that Hlane is more budget-friendly and Mkhaya is more of an all-inclusive style package that is a more "luxury" option.
While both are recommended to be booked in advance, Hlane does allow you to show up and book on the spot if there is availability, where as Mkhaya Game Reserve needs to be booked well in advance, and you can only do a package deal to experience the Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari.
Hlane Royal National Park Prices & Timetable
Hlane Royal National Park has a simple conservation fee to enter, and then you can pay extra for accommodation, meals, and activities separately.
🕘 Hours: 6 AM to 6 PM (hours may differ depending the time of year)
🎫 Entrance: 85/day
🦏 Rhino Walking Safari: 345/ person (minimum of 2 people)
⛺️ Camping: 363-1,018 (check the photo below for all of the details)
In order to do the Eswatini rhino walking safari you will need to pay the conservation fee (entrance) per day. We visited in the afternoon for a self drive, and then the following morning had to pay the fee again, which is not included in the price of the rhino walking safari.
Mkhaya Game Reserve Prices & Timetable
Mkhaya Game Reserve works a bit differently, as you need a reservation in advance, and there are just a couple of packages that you can choose from.
🛻 Day Trip: 10 AM to 4 PM, includes lunch - 1,165/person
⛺️ 24 Hour Stay: Pick up 10 AM or 4 PM - 3,460/person
🏕 1 1/2 Day Stay: Pick up 10 AM, drop off 4 PM - 4,120/person
🛌 DB&B: Pick up 4 PM, drop off 10 AM - 2,905/person
Keep in mind that if you have groups with more than 2, the added guests have discounted fees, which you can see in the photo below.
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Safari Amenities/ Where to Stay
The Eswatini Rhino Waking Safaris are located both in national parks, with limited options for dining and accommodation. Here is what you need to know for both of them.
Hlane National Park
🚗 Getting Around - You can self drive around Hlane National Park
🍴Food & Drink - There is a restaurant on site
📶 Cell Signal/ Wifi - There is no signal, and wifi costs 90 SZL/hour (about $5)
🛌 Where to Stay - Ndlovu Camp (no electricity, has a restaurant)
- Bhubesi Camp (electricity available, 14 km away)
Mkhaya Game Reserve
🚗 Getting Around - You can only do organized game drives
🍴Food & Drink - There are camp fire bush meals included in packages
📶 Cell Signal/ Wifi - There is no signal nor wifi
🛌 Where to Stay - Stone Camp (semi open en-suite thatched stone cottages)
- DB&B (dinner + bed & breakfast - pick up 4 PM, drop off 10 AM)
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The Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari Experience
Now that you know the basics for signing yourself up for the Rhino Walking Safari, we're going to let you know a bit about what the experience will look like!
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You'll have to meet at 6:15 AM, which is 15 minutes before the tour starts. The guide will brief everyone on the experience, give out water bottles, and get everyone ready to start the Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari.
If you're not staying at the park you'll have to let the front desk know to inform the gatekeepers to be there early and open the park gate for you.
🦏 The Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari
Everyone will board the safari truck and you'll start the drive. We spotted a few different animals on the way, so keep your eyes peeled!
You might see other animals on the Eswatini rhino walking safari as well!
As soon as the guide spots the rhinos he'll slow down and inform everyone. When the coast looks clear, the guide will park the truck and everyone will get out to get closer to the rhinos. Everyone will have to have their closed toed shoes on, and be quiet, following the guide.
Once the rhinos are found the guide will pull over for everyone to get out.
The guide will get everyone as close as possible to the rhinos, so that everyone can take pictures and videos while he also explains a bit more about the lifestyle of rhinos, what their movements mean, and how the country is working to keep the species alive.
Our guide actually had us go to a few different areas to see different rhinos, as they were all over! It truly was an experience like no other, and the Eswatini rhino walking safari is one of our favorite animal encounters to date.
Once the safari is over it'll be the perfect moment to grab some breakfast. The restaurant is just behind the lobby, and is outside in nature, but also has a roof so you can enjoy the serene atmosphere of Hlane National Park.
There is also plenty of seating outside to simply enjoy the outdoors and relax with the animals walking around in their natural habitat.
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How Safe is the Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari?
Getting up close to a rhino can seem terrifying, especially when it's out in the wild! Not to worry though- the local guides are experts, and make sure not to invade the animals' space, or put anyone in any kind of danger.
The guide keeps everyone at a safe distance, and the pictures make us look closer than we really are.
White rhinos are much less dangerous than black rhinos, and will only act if they feel threatened. They are also a bit blind!
Just always remember to stay at a safe distance, be quiet, and refrain from making any sudden movements that might startle the rhinos. As long as you do this, you'll have a fun and safe rhino walking safari in Eswatini.
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Other Things to Keep in Mind for the Ewatini Rhino Walking Safari
Now you're almost ready for your incredible Rhino walking safari in Eswatini! But don't go just yet - we have a few other things to share with you.
☀️ Weather in Eswatini
Eswatini has hot and rainy summers, and cool, dry, mild winters. We visited in the middle of their winter (July) and had beautiful, sunny, dry days, and at night the temperatures dipped very low.
👗 What to Wear for the Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari
You'll be asked to wear neutral colored clothing on the Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari. We'd recommend dark colors so that you don't get dirty from the dust. You'll also need to wear closed toed shoes as it's mandatory. It doesn't actually matter or not if they're super comfortable, since you won't actually be walking much.
We also recommend having a light jacket or sweater if you are visiting in the winter, as it's pretty cold in the mornings.
bring a jacket if you visit in the winter time.
🎒 What to Bring to the Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari
- Reusable Water Bottle (they provide plastic water bottles but they're not as eco-friendly)
- Sneakers or closed-toed shoes (they're mandatory)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Jacket or sweater (it's chilly in the morning)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because it's small & shoots 360 degree videos)
- Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Standard Lens that has a good variety in focal lengths - you won't need a telephoto lens or wide lens due to the distance you'll have with the rhinos (we use the Sony GM 24-70)
- Telephoto Lens in case you want to potentially capture other animals before getting to the rhinos - make sure to have another lens though for the walking safari part of the tour. (we use the Sony GM 70-200)
- Cash for tipping your guide
We'd recommend a telephoto lens for exploring the park outside the safari.
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🤔 Is the Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari Worth it?
The Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari is absolutely worth it! It is one of our favorite animal encounters to date, and truly was a special experience being able to get up close to rhinos in their natural environment.
If you're on a really tight budget, or aren't able to do the safari, it's also okay! The rhinos many times actually hang around the watering hole right behind the lobby, and you'll have chances to see them pretty up close (behind the fence).
Even though we experienced a bunch of rhinos on the property the day before, we were still so happy that we signed up for rhino walking safari as it was an extra special way to appreciate these beautiful animals.
You can also see the rhinos without doing the walking safari.
Tips for the Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari
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So are you ready to experience the Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari? We're sure you are going to fall in love with this absolute bucket list adventure just as much as we did.
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