Hawane Nature Reserve was initially established in 1978 to protect an area of marsh along the Mbuluzi river, including some of the natural habitat of the Swaziland endemic, Kniphofia umbrina, an extremely rare "red hot poker". The nature reserve was extended in order to protect Mbabane's water supply through the protection of Hawane Dam and its surrounds, following the construction of the dam in 1988.

 Malolotja Nature Reserve is one of the most impressive mountain parks in Southern Africa. The spectacular scenery and the variety of fauna and flora makes it a prime highveld conservation area. It is the last unspoilt mountain wilderness left in Swaziland. The reserve extends over an area of 18 000 hectares in north-west Swaziland, making it the largest proclaimed protected area in the Kingdom. The range in altitude from the top of Ngwenya Mountain, Swaziland's second highest mountain (1829 m), to the deep Nkomati River Valley (640 m) accounts both for the mild temperate climate and great variety of habitats; from short grassland, to thick riverine scrub, bushveld and moist Afro-montane forest. Visiting SNTC areas

Ngwenya Visitor Centre

Climate

Geology

Flora

Fauna

The Malolotja River rises in the east of the reserve and meanders its way through some fragile highveld bog systems before tumbling over numerous waterfalls, including Swaziland's highest waterfall, the Malolotja Falls, and cutting its way through a steep sided gorge to meet the Nkomati River, some 900 m below.