Malolotja Nature Reserve

Malolotja Nature Reserve is one of the most impressive mountain parks in Southern Africa. The spectacular scenery and the variety of fauna and flora makes it a prime highveld conservation area. It is the last unspoilt mountain wilderness left in Swaziland. The reserve extends over an area of 18 000 hectares in north-west Swaziland, making it the largest proclaimed protected area in the Kingdom.

The range in altitude from the top of Ngwenya Mountain, Swaziland's second highest mountain (1829 m), to the deep Nkomati River Valley (640 m) accounts both for the mild temperate climate and great variety of habitats; from short grassland, to thick riverine scrub, bushveld and moist Afro-mountain  forest.

The Malolotja River rises in the east of the reserve and meanders its way through some fragile highveld bog systems before tumbling over numerous waterfalls, including Swaziland's highest waterfall, the Malolotja Falls, and cutting its way through a steep sided gorge to meet the Nkomati River, some 900 m below.

Malolotja backpacking 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 Wilderness may be regarded as one of the classic wilderness areas of Southern Africa, on a par with Wolkberg. Recently the Swaziland National Trust Commission have decided to place the marketing and bookings in private hands and Jacana has been granted the agency for booking this trail.

Bookings:  info@jacanacollection.co.za