The Malotja Nature Reserve, located in Swaziland's highlands, serves as the mountain kingdom's last remaining unspoilt wilderness area. The reserve covers a total surface area of approximately 1800 ha. Aside from the awe- inspiring mountain views , visitors are also provided with the excellent opportunity to view a wide and interesting variety of fauna and flora.

The region is characterized by hard quartzite ridges, gorges, and deep pools which have been cut into the rock by the several rivers which traverse through the reserve. These rivers have many rapids and waterfalls, including the highest waterfall in Swaziland - The Molotja Falls,  which plummets down into thick afro-montane forest from a height of 90m.

The reserve also has a lush lowland region, which displays a rich diversity in vegetation including swamps and lush plains with dense  tall grasses, and ancient cycads. The Malotja Nature Reserve is also well known for its magnificent profusion of wildflowers which occur throughout the year, including lilies and various orchids.

Visitors to Malotja Nature Reserve can also explore the reserve on one of the many guided game drives. Animals which are regularly sighted within the reserve include zebra, reedbuck, blesbok, wildebeest, red hartebeest, and oribi, which can all be found on the grasslands. Leopard, jackal, serval, aardwolf and bushpig also reside in the reserve, but tend to be more elusive.

Malotja Nature Nature Reserve also supports a unique and diverse variety of colourful highland birds which include many sunbirds, loeries, and sugarbirds. Blue cranes and swallows also make their home in the reserve, along with a breeding colony of bald ibis, who nest on the cliffs near Malotja Falls.

The reserve's roads are somewhat difficult to navigate with the exception of a 25 km stretch which is considered "driveable". Due to this, self drives are not advised. The 4x4 trails within the reserve are more suited to mountain bikes or hiking.  However you go, perseverance will reward visitors in reaching such attractions as the top of Ngwenya Mountain, and the Ngwenya mine, the oldest known mine in the world (43 000 years old).

Other activities within Malotja Nature Reserve include excellent hiking trails which range in duration from between one and seven days; and swimming in the pristine, clear pools and mountain streams on the reserve's upper reaches.

For ore information contact the Malolotja Nature Reserve in Swaziland on (09268) 434-3060.