Malolotja Nature Reserve includes over 18 000 hectares of mountain wilderness in the north west of Eswatini. The reserve provides protected wetland, woodland, highveld grassland and mistbelt forest habitats for a wide variety of plant and animal life. Malolotja’s hiking trails rank among Southern Africa’s finest as they offer not only the solace of true wilderness with magnificent rugged country, but also a fascinating variety of fauna and flora and much to interest the amateur geologist. There are approximately 200 km of hiking trails and seventeen backpacking camps which allow hikers to undertake wilderness trails from two to seven days in duration.

Malolotja is known for its wild flowers, including showy Brunsvigias, threatened species such as the Barberton and Kaapsehoop cycads, unusual species like Streptocarpus dunnii, and almost forty species of orchids.

A visit in springtime offers the opportunity to see the display of spring flowers.
Malolotja has been recognised as one of southern Africa’s important bird areas, based on the significant number of threatened species recorded here.

The reserve is particularly important for breeding groups of endangered species such as blue swallow, blue crane, bald ibis and Stanley’s bustard, and more than 280 species of birds have been recorded from the reserve, over half the number for Eswatini as a whole.

The reserve provides important protected habitat for a variety of freshwater fish, including several regionally important species, such as the Incomati Rock Catlet, Pongola Rock Catlet, Southern Mouthbrooder and the Stargazer Mountain Catfish.

The reserve is home to 25 species of amphibians and 66 species oreptiles, including the Eswatini edemic lizard, the Swazi thick-tailed rock gecko and two near endemics, the Barberton girdled lizard and the Swazi rock snake.

Malolotja has a great variety of small mammals, from rock hyraxes to shrews, and larger mammals include species such as serval and white-tailed mongoose, and antelope such as grey rhebok and oribi, as well as the more familiar zebras, blesbok, eland and wildebeest. The invertebrates are not well studied, but the area is rewarding to those with an interest in animals such as butterflies, moths and dragonflies.

Ngwenya Mine and Lion Cavern
A visit to Ngwenya Mine, in the southern end of Malolotja Nature Reserve can include viewing Lion Cavern, the dramatic views of Ngwenya Iron Ore Mine.There are also spectacular views of the Ngwenya valley and across the border into South Africa.

Lion Cavern, situated at Ngwenya mine is the oldest mine in the world. Man first began chipping away at the iron ore of Ngwenya mountain over 43,000 years ago. The more modern mining of Ngwenya Mine was carried out from 1958 until 1979, in the form of open cast mining creating the dramatic mine pit currently still visible.

The word Ngwenya is Siswati for crocodile and the mountain does resemble a huge basking reptile. Access to the mine is via road entering through the southernmost part of Malolotja Nature Reserve (nominal fees apply).
Tours are available from 0800hrs to 1600hrs and visitors may have to wait for a guide to finish with one party before being able to enter themselves. The walk up to the cavern is quite steep yet well maintained with stepped walkways over rocky sections.

ACTIVITIES
Ziplining/Treetop Canopy Tours
Treetop Canopy Tours: Visitors can experience the thrill of gliding through the forest canopy within Malolotja Nature Reserve, the last mountain wilderness area in Eswatini. The canopy tour offers views of towering cliff faces and across the forest. Safety is paramount, and the system has been built to the highest civil engineering standards. Guides are trained professionals and this breath taking experience can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Hiking
Malolotja offers a diverse range of hiking opportunities, varying from short walks to overnight trails taking advantage of the network of over 200kms of hiking trails and seventeen backpacking camps. A seven day trail could encompass all
areas of the park.

ACCOMMODATION
Malolotja Cabins
The cabins at Malolotja are situated near the main entrance gate to the reserve, with views over a small valley in open sourveld grassland, with the more dramatic mountains of the reserve in the distance.

Malolotja offers 8 self-catering cabins, fully equipped, including bedding and towels. The cabins accommodate five people each (two bedrooms with a double bed and the other with a bunk bed and a single bed). The cabins each have an outdoor area set up for BBQ’s. There is also a restaurant and bar located next to the cabins, open from 0800hrs to 1600hrs for breakfast, light and full meals.

Malolotja Campsite
The main campsite at Malolotja is situated near the main entrance, tucked into rock outcrops in a rocky ridge running through open grassland. The campsite includes 15 sites each with braai facilities, plus a communal braai area for larger groups and an ablution block including baths and showers, with hot water
provided. The sites are of varying sizes, some more appropriate for larger groups.

Malolotja Picnic Site
The picnic site at Malolotja is situated not far from the main entrance, and has a number of tables and braai areas in amongst wooded rock outcrops, with views out over the reserve.

The restaurant and bar located next to the log cabins are a few minutes walk from the campsite, open from 0800hrs to 1600hrs for breakfast, light and full meals, dinner on request.

For the more adventureous hikers there are 19 backpacking camps, each one consisting of a clearing situated near water.