Malolotzha Nature Reserve is a mountain park located in South Africa. A huge variety of flora and fauna is represented here, although the territory is quite deserted. It is believed to be the last unspoiled desert in Swaziland.
The area of the park exceeds 18 thousand hectares. Due to its scale, Malolotzha Nature Reserve is the largest protected area in Swaziland. The relief of the reserve has both mountain peaks and flat valleys. There are both humid forests and meadows, which are characterized by a mild climate. The highest point is on Mount Ngwenya. Its height is just over 1800 meters. The lowest point of the reserve is the valley of the Nkomati River, which has dropped 640 meters in relation to sea level. The Malolotzha River stretches across the entire territory of the reserve. It originates at the tops of the mountains, then forms a waterfall and merges with the Nkomati River.
Malolotzha is the real pride of Swaziland. The park was founded in the 20th century, at the end of the 1970s. The purpose of its foundation was the preservation of rare species of animals and plants. The flora of the reserve is especially remarkable. There is a huge number and variety of wild flowers here. When these amazing flowers bloom, it is possible to see truly stunning pictures created by nature. No wonder this place is called a botanical paradise: there are many types of orchids, lilies and amaryllis, as well as such a unique plant as streptocarpus.
The fauna in the protected area is also very diverse. There are many different types of invertebrates in the territory of Malolotzha. Along with them, more than sixty species of mammals live here. Some of them are rare and therefore especially protected. Nowhere else, except in this nature reserve, one cannot find unique small mammals: black wildebeest, earthen wolf and red cow antelope. There are also larger animals in the reserve. For example, sometimes hippos are found in the valley of the Nkomati River.
