Hlane Royal National Park
Hlane Royal National Park is a 300-square-kilometer national park situated in the Manzini region of Eswatini. Established in 1967, it stands as one of the most looked-up sights in Eswatini, offering visitors a chance to explore a significant protected area of the country.
Planning a visit
The climate at Hlane Royal National Park features warm weather throughout the year. The summer months from December through February are the hottest and wettest, with daily highs of 30 °C and rain occurring on up to 20 days each month. Travelers who prefer drier weather for their visit should consider the winter period from June to August. During these months, rainfall decreases significantly—often to just two or three days per month—and temperatures are more moderate, with daily highs of 24 °C and lows dropping to 11 °C.
Reaching the park is straightforward, as it is located 71 kilometers from the capital, Lobamba. For those arriving by air, the King Mswati III International Airport serves as the nearest gateway, positioned only 20 kilometers away in Mpaka. This proximity makes the park accessible for travelers arriving in the country via international flights.
Weather by month
The warmest month is January, with an average high of 30 °C. The wettest is January, with about 131 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 30 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 30 |
| Average low, °C | 21 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 20 |
| Rainfall, mm | 131 | 119 | 93 | 45 | 22 | 15 | 10 | 16 | 27 | 62 | 111 | 123 |
| Rainy days | 19 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 20 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.