The Mlawula Nature Reserve located in northeastern Swaziland, covers a total surface area of18,000 ha, and lies adjacent to Mbuluzi Game Reserve, Simunye Nature Reserve, and Hlane Royal National Park. The Mlawula Nature Reserve is set in the rugged setting of the Lubombo mountain range.

The reserve is characterized mainly by thorn savanna and open grasslands on the slopes of the Lebombo Mountains, near the Mozambique border. The reserve is open to visitors throughout the entire year, and offers a variety of activities which include fishing, walking safaris, and game viewing, either at one of the hides within the reserve, or from a game viewing vehicle. Visitors must however be aware of the dangers of crocodiles and malaria in the region.

Mlawula Game Reserve is also home to a wide and interesting variety of wildlife which includes such species as crocodiles, hippo, leopard, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, eland, and spotted hyena. There are also about 300 species of birds in the park which allows for excellent bird watching. Bird species commonly sighted at Mlawula include raptors such as Bateleur and Martial eagles, five species of vulture and rarities such as Narina Trogon, Pink-throated Twinspot, African Broadbill and African Finfoot.

As one might perhaps expect of a mountain reserve, Mlawula offers a variety of hiking trails of various lengths. Guides are available on request, but due to the dense bush, game viewing from the trails is not as rewarding as from a vehicle. The reserve also features a plateau, which proves to be a highlight amongst both naturalists and horticulturists as it is home to unique species of cycads and ironwood trees. The trails on the plateau lead visitors past numerous caves, pools and waterfalls. The Mlawula Stream and the Mbuluzi River flow through magnificent valleys in which Stone Age tools have been discovered, providing hikers with interesting insights into the history and culture of the region.