National park · Eswatini
Mkhaya Game Reserve
Book a day tour or overnight stay through Big Game Parks; you will be picked up in Phuzumoya (no self-drive entry). For a day visit, aim for the 10:00 pickup, return by 16:00. For the best wildlife viewing, go May–October (dry winter). Overnight guests can join guided walks; day visitors get a jeep safari and lunch.Book a day tour or overnight stay through Big Game Parks; you will be picked up in Phuzumoya (no self-drive entry). For a day visit, aim for the 10:00 AM pickup, return by 4:00 PM. For the best wildlife viewing, go May–October (dry winter). Overnight guests can join guided walks; day visitors get a jeep safari and lunch.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Apr–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- Eswatini ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Eswatini government sources before booking.
- Eswatini ↗Taking a South African rental car into Eswatini needs a cross-border letter from the rental company.
- Eswatini ↗Eswatini is a monarchy: be respectful when discussing the king and royal family.
At a glance
- Country
- Eswatini
- Area
- 100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²)
- Approximate area; official figure not confirmed (check).
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Apr–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Manzini
Mkhaya Game Reserve, established in 1979, is a small but intense wildlife sanctuary in eastern Eswatini. It focuses on endangered species: black and white rhino, elephant, roan and sable antelope, tsessebe, and the pure Nguni cattle breed. Unlike other reserves in Eswatini, you cannot drive your own vehicle inside; all visits are guided from the pickup point in Phuzumoya. The reserve is run by Big Game Parks, the same trust that manages Hlane Royal National Park and Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1979.
Size and age
100 km² (39 sq mi)39 sq mi (100 km²) · national park since 1979
Approximate area; official figure not confirmed (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Manzini.
Why go
- See black rhino on foot (overnight guests only).
- Guided jeep safari with expert rangers.
- Rare antelope species: roan, sable, tsessebe.
- Support a reserve that saved the Nguni cattle breed.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanHot and wet; river may flood.
- FebHot and wet; river may flood.
- MarEnd of rains; green.
- AprDry and mild.
- MayDry and cool; best wildlife viewing.
- JunDry and cool.
- JulDry and cool.
- AugDry and warm.
- SepDry and warm.
- OctDry and warm.
- NovStart of rains; green.
- DecWet; river may flood.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black rhinoAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| White rhinoAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| ElephantAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Roan and sable antelopeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| TsessebeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Nguni cattleAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Manzini
Drive east on the MR8 towards Phuzumoya (about 30 min). Park your car at the pickup point (small yellow grocery store with Mkhaya signs).
30 min
Open the page →
From Mbabane
Drive south on the MR3, then east on the MR8 to Phuzumoya (about 1 h).
1 h
Open the page →
From Hlane Royal National Park
Drive south on the MR8 (about 45 min).
45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Phuzumoya pickup point | Small yellow grocery store on the MR8; leave your car here. | Public. |
| Mkhaya interior | The reserve itself; accessed only by guided vehicle or on foot with a ranger. | Guided only. |
| Stone Camp | The lodge and camp inside the reserve; has a small store and bar. | Overnight guests only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates for the reserve centre are approximate; the pickup point is about 5 km north-west.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day tour (including lunch and jeep safari) | SZL 600–800 | person | 2026 estimate; book via Big Game Parks. |
| Overnight stay (Stone Camp, full board) | SZL 2,000–3,500 | person per night | 2026 estimate; includes guided walks. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Reservation permit or guide
Day tour permit or guide
Overnight stay permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- SZL 600–800
- SZL 2,000–3,500
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Big Game Parks — Mkhaya Game Reserve before you go.
Park rules
- No self-drive
- You cannot drive your own vehicle into the reserve. Leave your car at the Phuzumoya pickup point.
- Guides required
- All activities inside the reserve are guided. No unaccompanied walking.
- River crossing
- The reserve entrance involves crossing a river. If it floods, the guide will take you on foot over a nearby railway bridge.
- Booking required
- Day tours and overnight stays must be booked in advance through Big Game Parks.
Where to stay
In the park
Stone Camp
The only accommodation inside the reserve; full board, guided walks included. Book via Big Game Parks.
Near the park
Manzini
About 30 min drive; budget options like Myxos Backpackers (check if still open).
Safety
River flooding medium
Wildlife encounters on foot medium
Heat and sun low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The jeep safari is suitable for most visitors, including those with limited mobility.
- Guided walks are on uneven ground and not suitable for wheelchairs.
Visiting lightly
- Mkhaya is a conservation-focused reserve; all fees support anti-poaching and breeding programmes.
- The reserve protects the pure Nguni cattle breed, a genetic resource.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mkhaya Game Reserve?
A day tour (including lunch and jeep safari) costs about SZL 600–800 per person (2026 estimate). Overnight stays at Stone Camp (full board) cost SZL 2,000–3,500 per person per night. Book via Big Game Parks.
What are the best hikes in Mkhaya Game Reserve?
Mkhaya does not have marked hiking trails. The only walking is the guided walk for overnight guests, which tracks black rhino on foot with an armed ranger. For hiking, visit Malolotja Nature Reserve or Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.
When is the best time to visit Mkhaya Game Reserve?
The dry winter months (May–October) are best for wildlife viewing, as animals gather at water sources. The rainy season (November–March) can cause the river to flood, potentially blocking access.
Can I drive my own car into Mkhaya?
No. All visitors are picked up in Phuzumoya and taken into the reserve by a guide. Leave your car at the pickup point.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Day tours and overnight stays must be booked in advance through Big Game Parks (website or phone).
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Mkhaya Game Reserve
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