Hlane Royal National Park

The eSwatini lowveld is packed with different species: during the rainy summer months, up to 100 species might be seen in one day. At Hlane Royal National Park in the lowveld, as well as seeing lions – the national symbol of eSwatini – you can also see birdlife including the Bateleur eagle (Terathopius ecaudatus) and the Southern Carmine Bee-eater (Merops nubicoides) with its deep red features and bright blue crown and undertail. Vultures are among the park’s highlights, with Hlalane being home to the Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres), Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus), the rare Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotos) and White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus). Bird-lovers are also likely to see eSwatini’s national bird: the Purple-crested Turaco (Gallirex porphyreolophus) – a beautiful, brightly coloured bird, which is called Ligwalagwala in the siSwati language – and one of the world’s largest flying birds: the Marabou Stork (Leptoptilos crumenifer).