Chubeka Trails (CT)

The Rest Camp has 5 distinct areas, all within easy walking distance of each other – Main area with Reception, Activities Centre, Curio Shop, Hippo Haunt Restaurant & Rest Camp Huts; the Beehive Villages and Campsites; the Self-Catering cottages, the Swimming Pool area and the open animal inkhundla. All accommodation units are within walking distance of the Swimming pool, Activities Centre and Hippo Haunt Restaurant.

Watch out for the inquisitive warthogs – they are keen to share your lunch! Please don’t feed the animals.

Located within Mlilwane Rest Camp is the Hippo Haunt Restaurant which overlooks a picturesque Bird Pool where guests can admire hippos, crocodiles and prolific birdlife while enjoying delicious meals. The semi-open dining area with bar, coffee station and buffet station is extremely popular, with an alternative cozy inside area.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily. Lunch is à La Carte with light and full options, while breakfast and dinner are either buffet or à La Carte, depending on bookings. Fabulous functions can be booked for special occasions.

Chubeka Trails is the trailing arm of Big Game Parks, our flagship being horse trails on Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Mountain biking and hiking trail packages are soon to follow!

Our hourly rides are concentrated on the southern plains, sometimes crossing the river and including a little forest riding. The Rock of Execution and overnight trails explore the beautiful mountains, providing uplifting elevation. We cater for beginners and experienced riders, with horses of various breeds and sizes. We do have a rider’s weight restriction of 95Kg.

Our Guides are all trained in-house. Most join us without horse or environmental knowledge. Our training focuses on client care, quiet respectful horse handling, skillful trail riding and field knowledge. As a result, our guides enjoy hosting, sharing their knowledge and learning from our guests.

All rides are booked through our Central Reservations office or the Mlilwane Rest Camp Reception, where experience levels and weights are communicated. Riders then meet at our Activities Centre, where indemnities are signed, and helmets issued. A safety briefing is conducted and guests are allocated their horses at the near-by horse holding paddocks. Horse rides depart daily, and require at least an hour’s notice, or 24 hours or more for overnight trails, depending on the number of nights. Conservation of Mlilwane provides more information on the habitats and species you may encounter on trail.

Mlilwane’s Rest Camp offers a range of affordable self-catering and catered accommodation with Sondzela Backpackers 2 km to the south, luxurious Reilly's Rock Hilltop Lodge and Down Gran’s Self-Catering Cottage a short 3km to the north of Rest Camp. Camping is available in the Rest Camp and at Sondzela.

Situated between Mbabane and Manzini, the neighbouring tourist hubs of Ezulwini and Malkerns, with their many unique attractions and craft shops add nice variety to any holiday.