Hlane Royal National Park Eswatini (Swaziland)
Full view
View all photos (245)245
Room & Suite (45)
Dining (12)
About
#1 of 4 Specialty lodging in Hlane Royal National Park
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
Suggest edits to improve what we show.Improve this listing
Property amenities
Free parking
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Family
Location
Full view
40Car recommended
Grade: 40 out of 100
0Restaurantswithin 10 km
1Attractionwithin 10 km
171Reviews5Q+A19Room tips
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 73
- 70
- 18
- 7
- 3
Time of year
Traveller type
Language
More
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Sort by:
Most Recent
It was a lovely stay, the nature is beautiful the haute were super romantic and the staff in general very welcoming and helpful. We were Very disappointed by the restaurant, everything took forever the staff seemed overchallenged and the orders got mixed up often. Also small portions and we could have expected better quality for the prize. But overall a lovely stay.
Read more
Date of stay: December 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
We stayed 2 nights in big hut family of 5. Clean and spacious. Had good mosquito nets. Someone came while we were at dinner and lit all the lamps. Staff helpful . Buffet dinner nice- lovely restaurant in a massiveopen air rondavel. Right beside a waterhole with animals ++
Read more
Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
The campsite at Hlane is far from cheap (R450 for a family of four) and for that price we got a square of dust with very little shade. There is no electricity which we were expecting but also no drinking water which were not expecting and also were not informed of when we arrived. So we drank the slightly brown water and then saw signs in the toilet telling us not to drink it. When I questioned staff they told us to boil it or buy it! So for our money we got the use of their toilet...that is about it.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
I have been to Hlane National Park before and I used to like the atmosphere there a lot, but what just happened? First of all it isn't easy to find the park, there aren't any signs if you come from Manzini so be aware of getting lost. And if you arrive in the evening I experienced a poor service, you actually don't feel welcome at all. Maybe the staff was tired or just unmotivated. And I was very surprised when I've found out that there is no other restaurant option then the provided buffet for dinner and breakfast. I guess for lunch you can choose from the menu, I didn't want to try. But the buffets are insanely overpriced and just ordinary, the meat is overcooked and dry, nothing special, nothing really tasty. For R190,00 per person for the dinner buffet you expect something more the breakfast buffet is just the same. The camp used to have a waterhole in front of the Restaurant but because of a drought they released the water and I am not sure what will happen next, there isn't any note for the visitors. But if you would expect any reduction on the accommodation prices you are wrong, you just pay the normal cost even if there is no proper reason to sit in front of the restaurant at moment of writing. And if you would like to use some wifi, maybe if you want to plan your further trip be prepared that you have to pay extra for this service. How helpful. On the next day I planned a game drive in the park, of course you have to be lucky to spot game, but if there are no signposts at all or the "signs" are very bad maintaned you drive around for hours and don't find the scenic views/stops the rangers have recommend. So I just scratch my car and damaged three tyres. I do not know what happened to this place, maybe I just had bad luck but besides of clean rooms and the beautiful landscape of the bush there is no reason to visit that place. Maybe it gonna change in future.…
Read more
Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
This place is not cheap by Swazi standards, but we loved it here. Due to a tight schedule, this was our only night in Swaziland and we could not have chosen better. Arrived just in time for the afternoon game drive and yes, we got to see the lions (a pride of four) on top of less rare sightings (think rhinos marking their territory; elephants, impalas). We probably spent a good 45 minutes with the lions as the sun was setting down - a truly magical moment. There is a drink included in your drive fee (try the local beer, Sibebe); the driver, Johannes, was knowledgable and very friendly. Back in camp, a buffet dinner was served, quite good, especially the impala stew. Night in rondavel (a traditional hut) with no electricity and paraffin lamps lit up for you when you come back from dinner - a nice little touch. NB, slightly more enthusiasm from the front office staff would be great to see - but overall, we can only highly recommend Ndlovu camp.…
Read more
Date of stay: March 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
It was fantastic our stay at Hlane. My girlfriend were afraid of the no-electricity set up but ended up loving it. It was a complete reset, a detox from the urban life. There the silence is majestic, you can feel the nature, respect the animals. It was amazing. Waking up with the light of the sun, going to sleep as it goes dark; wonderful. I started wondering why I need television and how it makes times feel quicker than it actually is. I highly recommend it.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Great little self-catering apartments. All necessary utensils given and even freshly chopped firewood! Shower strong and bed comfortable. It's about a 20 minute drive down a dirt road from the main camp, which is reasonable quality (odd pothole, but easy to avoid) - you can also go around the outside of the camp on the tarmac. However, it was a really nice get-away in the wilderness.
Read more
Date of stay: November 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Rooms
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
FabioSecondo wrote a review Oct 2018
Cernusco sul Naviglio, Lombardia, Italy35 contributions17 helpful votes
Family of 5 during the tour with Nomad we spent two nights in tent and enjoyed the absence of electricity (only oil lamps in into the toilets, no lights in the camp at night) and enjoyed the seats placed to observe animals going for a bath (Hyppos, Marabu, wild boars, etc). Appreciated the Park guide that brought us in front of lyons, elephants, rhinos, etc
Read more
Date of stay: August 2018Trip type: Travelled with family
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
Spend three nights in July 2018. Of course I visited this national park to see game and take wildlife pictures. The park has two sections. One section is for a rhinofamily, a few elephants and some antelopes. In that part you may do your selfdrive. The landscape has not much to offer. Bushes and lots of detsroyed trees. It looks rather dead out there. The selfdrive is not rewarding at all. It covers a small area and as I said before: not much game. The second section part should be promissing (was my expectation). Because that is where the lions are. But here is the trick. That section is used as the cashcow. You only may enter this part with guided tours and of cours they will charge a lot for it (comparing to the standards in Swaziland). You are not allowed to do a selfdrive in that section. Come on, all other stateparks South-Africa allow selfdrives no matter if there are big cats or not. I was told it was their policy for safety-reasons. I do not believe this and in my view the only reason is "money-making". Nothing is wrong with money-making but it has to be worthwhile. What was shown to us were six very skinny lions. And the most interesting part of this experience was that during the whole drive no other game showed up. No impala or zebra. No wildebeest, kudu or nyala. Only two elephants. That's why the whole experience felt like a touristtrap. We drove around for over an hour in that section. No other game than those skinny lions and the two elephants. That gave me the strong impression that there is not enough food at hand for the lions to support themselves and the lions have to be fed in a artificial way. So, I would not be surpriced if the rangers deliver a few times a week some game to be hunted by the lions. This park is not what should be expected if you do read what is told on their website. It is a poor place and it needs a huge upgrade. No electricity is not a problem at all. It brings back the old days and for a few nights that is allright. I would not recommend this spot for longer than one night. There are many more places in that part of the world where spending your time will be much more satisfying.…
Read more
Date of stay: July 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Charge your batteries before entering or bring a charger that can be used in your car.
See more room tips
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
We loved visiting Hlane Royal National Park and staying at the camp. We enjoyed not having electricity. We went on multiple game drives and really had a great time. The drivers were knowledgeable and pleasant. Since we went on so many drives we were able to customize a bit. We can't wait to go back.
Read more
Date of stay: September 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Helpful
LOCATION
Eswatini (Swaziland)Lubombo DistrictHlane Royal National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
21
Is This Your Tripadvisor Listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim Your Listing Frequently Asked Questions about Ndlovu Camp
Which popular attractions are close to Ndlovu Camp?
Nearby attractions include Hlane Royal National Park (0.06 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Ndlovu Camp?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and free parking.
What food & drink options are available at Ndlovu Camp?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.