In the south-east of Swaziland, the heart of the lowveld, lies an
unspoilt wilderness, haven to endangered species which roam
approximately 7,400 hectares of magnificent African bush.
For the animals that once roamed wild and free, uninhibited by
fences and boundaries, they faced and still face an uncertain
future with man’s compulsion toward maximum yield, poaching
and lack of ignorance toward nature conservation and protection
of our natural heritage.
These, once abundant animals that could be seen for miles around,
were and some still are close to extinction and it became clear
to the Reilly Family, Swaziland’s foremost nature conservationists,
that these animals needed a place of refuge and tranquillity, with
the absence of menacing man and his gun, and Mkhaya was the perfect place.
Mkhaya was established in 1979 to save the pure Nguni cattle breed
from extinction and is a proclaimed Nature Reserve. Its focus has
expanded over the years to include other endangered species such
as black rhino, roan & sable antelope, tsessebe, white rhino,
elephant and other locally endangered species.
Mkhaya Game Reserve, named after the Acacia nigrescens tree,
comprises of acacia-dominated thornveld in the south and broadleaf
sandveld in the north. Unique, intimate encounters with Mkhaya’s
wildlife are almost guaranteed as all travel within the reserve
is solely by open Land Rovers or on foot (all guided) and the
reserve is criss-crossed with dry riverbeds, dotted with waterholes
and has a network of intertwined game-viewing roads.
After a day out in the hot African bush, come back to the camp
that is sited in bird-rich riverine forests and enjoy an ice-cold
drink under the giant sausage tree or retire to the comfortable
safari-style accommodation and sit back and enjoy real nature.
Mkhaya is staffed and patrolled entirely by Swazis from neighbouring
communities and currently boasts what is arguably Africa's most
effective anti-poaching unit. Mkhaya is totally self-financing
through visitor revenues. Your support is greatly appreciated
as a means of sustaining this unique international conservation effort.
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A trip to Mkhaya is a trip into Real Africa – a soul enriching,
quality experience you’ll never forget!
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