Eco Game & Nature Reserve
Mlilwane, Swaziland’s pioneer conservation area, is a beautiful, secluded sanctuary situated in Swaziland’s “Valley of Heaven”, the Ezulwini Valley, in between Mbabane and Manzini. With 24-hour access to the Sanctuary, guests are free to enjoy the neighbouring tourist hubs of Ezulwini and Malkerns, with their many unique attractions and craft shops. From the western boundary, the huge Usutu Forest provides a dramatic backdrop stretching into the distant hills Mlilwane has an outside function area Inkhundla, about 200 meters from the Hippo Haunt restaurant which is suitable for private functions, such as weddings, graduation parties and so on and is often used by members of the Royal Family. It consists of a reed and semi-tin roof, river sand floor, railway sleeper benches, a bar area and has an ablution nearby. Catering can be arranged and the rates of this can be obtained from Big Game Parks central reservations office.

Ted and Liz Reilly, were the founders of Mlilwane, Swaziland's first proclaimed conservation area. Reilly having witnessed the disappearance of wildlife in the years he was growing up, turned his 450 ha family farm, Mlilwane, into a Sanctuary, where Swaziland's rapidly vanishing wild animals could find refuge and protection. Reilly planted indigenous trees, created wetland habitat and restocked Mlilwane with wildlife. Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Ezulwini Valley Swaziland. Chubeka Trails provide day and overnight, horse-riding, hiking and mountain biking trails through game-studded plains and into breathtaking mountains of Mlilwane North. Stay at Rustic Rest Camp, Sondzela Backpackers or Reilly's Rock Hilltop Lodge which is Portfolio accredited.

The Sanctuary now covers 4,500 hectares and comprises of a southern and northern section. The southern section is predominately open grassland plains with middleveld vegetation, stretching up onto the striking Nyonyane Mountain with its exposed granite peak known as the "Rock of Execution". Nyonyane Moutain is where ancient San or Bushmen people once lived and where Swazi Royal graves are situated. This gives it great historical significance. Behind these mountains, the stunning Mantenga waterfall and beautiful Usushwana Valley form the divide, before stretching up to northern section, which includes one of the highest surrounding points at Luphohlo. Tourist activities are concentrated in the southern section, with only guided trails entering the pristine mountains of the north. Mlilwane means Little Fire, being derived from the numerous fires started by lightning strikes on the Mlilwane Hill. Many a colourful tale can be told about the Reilly Family, with special relevance to the early pioneer Mickey Reilly, whose family still manages and lives on the Sanctuary. There are three camps on Mlilwane affording visitors a cultural experience, a quiet family retreat as well as facilities for larger groups.

The Rest camp is found in the southern corner of the reserve in the mist of a well matured rehabilitated area, the camp is unfenced yet relatively safe as only smaller species of wildlife occur in the sanctuary. A semi-circle of wooden and beehive huts borders the central of the Rest Camp, with easy access to the reception, restaurant, internet lounge, shop and communal fireplace. To the west the camp overlooks Mhlambanyatsi river valley with its open floodplains and scattered herds of game. This view is enjoyed from the swimming pool.

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