4 Day Eswatini Self-Drive Tour

Day 01

Johannesburg to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Eswatini (Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge)

Today begins your self-drive adventure as you collect your rental car from OR Tambo International Airport and make your way toward Eswatini. The drive from Johannesburg through the Oshoek Border Post and into the rolling countryside is scenic and easy to navigate, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the changing landscapes. Shortly after entering Eswatini, consider stopping at Ngwenya Glass, where you can watch skilled artisans create beautiful hand-blown glass pieces and pick up a memorable souvenir.

Your first night is spent at Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge, perched on a hilltop with sweeping views over the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Built in 1928, the lodge has a warm, historic charm, offering four guest rooms in the main house and two in the cottage. It’s a peaceful retreat that invites you to slow down and soak in the quiet surroundings. Spend your afternoon relaxing on the property, enjoying the views, or opt for a guided game drive through the sanctuary to start your Eswatini wildlife experience.

Day 02

Mliwane Wildlife Sanctuary to Mhkaya Game Reserve, Eswatini (Stone Camp)

This morning starts with a guided game drive in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, where you’ll visit the sanctuary’s roan antelope breeding project. Roan antelope are among the largest and most striking antelope species in Africa, easily recognised by their long faces, curved horns, and distinctive black-and-white facial markings. They are considered rare in South Africa, so seeing them up close and learning about the conservation efforts helping protect the species is a uniquely memorable experience.
After your morning activity, you’ll continue your journey to Mkhaya Game Reserve, heading first to the reserve’s reception area. Here, you’ll park your rental car before being collected in an open safari vehicle for the scenic transfer into the heart of the reserve.

Your home for the next two nights is Stone Camp, a beautifully rustic lodge designed to blend naturally into its surroundings. The camp features stone-built cottages tucked beneath towering trees, open-air bathrooms, and cosy communal areas lit by lanterns in the evenings. With no electricity and a close-to-nature atmosphere, Stone Camp offers a peaceful, authentic bush experience where wildlife often wanders nearby, making it an ideal base for exploring this remarkable reserve.

Day 03

On Safari in the Mhkaya Game Reserve, Eswatini (Stone Camp)

Your stay in Mkhaya Game Reserve offers a truly immersive bush experience, with wildlife frequently wandering right through Stone Camp. Nyala grazing near your room, warthogs shuffling by, and guineafowl moving through the trees all add to the natural rhythm of the reserve and make even your quiet moments feel connected to the wild.
Your days can be as active or relaxed as you like. Guided game drives take you through the reserve in search of its diverse wildlife, while walking safaris offer a chance to slow down and appreciate the smaller details of the bush—tracks, plants, birds, and the sounds of the wild around you. Mkhaya is known for its population of endangered black rhino, so keep an eye out during your safaris for the chance to encounter one of these remarkable animals. With a blend of close-up wildlife moments and unhurried time to enjoy the natural surroundings, your stay offers a true taste of life in the Eswatini wilderness.

Day 04

Mkhaya Game Reserve to Johannesburg

Today you’ll begin your journey out of Eswatini and back toward Johannesburg. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred from Stone Camp to the reception area to collect your rental car and start the scenic six-hour drive to Johannesburg. If you missed it earlier in your trip, this is a great opportunity to stop at Ngwenya Glass, located just before the Ngwenya Border Post, where you can watch glassblowers at work and pick up a handcrafted souvenir.
Once you cross back into South Africa, the road leads you through open landscapes and small towns before arriving at OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg. Here, you’ll return your rental car and continue with your onward journey, bringing your Eswatini self-drive adventure to a close with plenty of wonderful memories to take with you.