WEBMASTER'S CHOICES FOR APRIL 2010

Sunrise Aviation offers a diverse range of helicopter services.

• Helicopter charters and transfers

• Scenic flights and safaris

• Game census services

• Aerial photography and movie sets

• Chartered airport transfers - KMIA

Based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, you may charter our helicopters throughout most of Southern Africa, Swaziland & Mozambique

Mike Pingo

Telephone No : +27 13 744 9254

Facsimile No : +27 13 744 9251

Cell No : +27 83 625 6991

sunavian@soft.co.za

www.sunriseaviation.co.za

Mkhaya Game Reserve

Swaziland's Refuge for Endangered Species

In the southeast of Swaziland, the heart of the lowveld lies an un spoilt wilderness, haven to endangered species.

Mkhaya was established in 1979 to save the pure Nguni breed of cattle from extinction and is a proclaimed Nature Reserve. Its focus has expanded over the years to include other endangered species such as black rhino, roan & sable antelope, tsessebe, white rhino, elephant and other locally endangered species.

Malolotja Nature Reserve

Spring view of the upper Majolomba valley. The grassland at this time of year is full of spring flowers, with different species coming into flower, causing the colours to change every couple of weeks

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.

Hawane Nature Reserve

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.

The area currently includes the dam wall and surrounds, as well as marshy areas upstream of the dam.

Mantenga Nature Reserve

The reserve is a small protected area of 725 hectares in a secluded corner of the Ezulwini Valley,although it is only two kilometres from a major road. The Little Usuthu River (Lusushwana) forms the southern boundary of the reserve; over this rivier are commercial pine forests and Mlilwane Game Sanctuary. To the north and west is Mlilwane North (a protected area but not open to the public), and a residential area is on the eastern side.

The Mantenga Waterfalls are Swaziland's best-known falls, and the largest in terms of volume of water (95m high). This is despite the construction of the Luphohlo Dam some 15 km upstream, where water was diverted for electricity generation.

Mlawula Nature Reserve

Mlawula Nature Reserve is located in north-eastern Swaziland. The Lubombo mountains are the most impressive natural feature of the reserve; they are a rhyolite ridge running from south to north along the border with Mozambique, volcanic in origin and geologically young. The perennial Mbuluzi river runs along the northern boundary of the reserve, passing through an impressive river valley in the north-east. The much smaller Mlawula stream flows through the west of the reserve. West of and parallel to the Lubombos is the basaltic Siphiso valley, a low-lying savanna area with abundant game, flanked on the west by a chain of low rhyolite ridges.

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Formally the home of Mickey Reilly, one of Swaziland’s earliest white settlers and a highly entrepreneurial man, the house has remained in the family and has recently been transformed into a unique hilltop lodge tastefully decorated in keeping with its colonial roots by Swaziland’s leading conservation team, Ted and Liz Reilly. Notwithstanding the necessary subtle additions and renovations, the house still stands as it was built almost a century ago. Reilly’s Rock is steeped in intriguing history, the main building was built of stone in exchange for an ox-wagon in the early 1900’s, encompassing Swaziland, conservation in the Kingdom and the Reilly family.

Phophonyane Nature Reserve

Attracted by the rich natural vegetation and year-round water, birds and small mammals such as Red Duiker and Cape Clawless Otter are abundant within the reserve. Narina Trogan, Purple-crested Lourie, Wood Owl and a remarkable 230 other species of bird ensure the quiet melody of water is never without an orchestra of nature`s finest musicians.

Phophonyane is situated high in the mountains with the rugged Gobolondlo and Makhonjwa ranges as a backdrop and those craving a natural environment for soul nourishment get body and soul reunited here.