哈雷恩皇家国家公园(Hlane Royal National Park)是埃斯瓦蒂尼(Eswatini,原斯威士兰)面积最大的受保护区域,占地约 22000 公顷。这里是近距离观察白犀牛和狮子的绝佳去处,成人入园费大约为 90 兰特(约合人民币 35 元),价格比邻国的克鲁格公园更亲民。作为曾经的皇家狩猎场,它如今由大游戏公园(Big Game Parks)机构管理,是南非往返莫桑比克旅途中的核心中转站。
哈雷恩在斯瓦蒂语中意为“荒野”,由已故国王索布扎二世(King Sobhuza II)在 1967 年亲自命名。这里不同于非洲其他高海拔草原,地处低地地区(Lowveld),海拔仅约 200 到 300 米,因此气候常年温暖甚至炎热。在这片平坦的土地上生长着大量古老的硬木树种,如节刺木和铅木,这种独特的植被环境为稀有的白背兀鹫提供了完美的筑巢场所。现在的哈雷恩不仅是国家的自然财富,更是皇室权力的象征,许多国家庆典活动至今仍会与这片土地产生某种关联。
虽然哈雷恩不算极大,但它的动物密度相当惊人。园内维持着相对平衡的生态系统,由于被划分为不同的功能区,游客在确保安全的前提下能获得极高的偶遇率。核心区域不仅生活着非洲象、长颈鹿、斑马和各种羚羊,最令人兴奋的是这里拥有该国最密集的白犀牛群。这里的狮子为了管理需要被保护在专门的围栏区域内,这种做法虽然牺牲了一部分“完全原始”的流动性,却让普通游客参加驱车游猎时看到狮子的概率几乎接近百分之百。
很多自驾游客担心普通轿车能否应付这里的路况。说实话,在 5 月到 9 月的旱季,底盘稍高的两驱城市 SUV 甚至普通轿车都能轻松到达 Ndlovu 主营地。不过,如果你想深入那些通往河流的小径,尤其是 10 月雨季开始后,由于土壤变得黏稠湿滑,四驱车才是稳妥的选择。进入斯威士兰国境时,别忘了在海关缴纳大约 100 兰特的车辆通行税,并在入园处领取一份手绘地图。园内限速 40 公里,因为随处可见的疣猪和斑马可能会随时横穿马路。
哈雷恩有两个主要的住宿点,风格截然不同。Ndlovu 营地就在入口附近,最大的特点是“没电”。晚上你会拎着营地分发的煤油灯回房间,这种仪式感在现代社会非常少见。最绝的是营地餐厅正对着一个天然水塘,你端着咖啡坐上一小时,大概率能看到三五成群的白犀牛就在十几米开外喝水。如果你对电力有刚需,建议多开 18 公里车去 Bhubesi 营地。那里环境更安静,有太阳能供电,适合喜欢自己生火做饭(Braai)的深度旅行者。
6 月到 8 月是哈雷恩的黄金季节。这时候植被干枯稀疏,动物们为了喝水不得不频繁出现在水塘边,你只需要在营地“蹲点”就能看到大场面。清晨六点半出发游猎时气温很低,风打在脸上生疼,建议穿上那种能挡风的厚外套,甚至带个保温杯。到了中午,气温会迅速回升到 25 度以上。防蚊措施在这里是重中之重,虽然低地地区疟疾风险不算极高,但为了睡个好觉,驱蚊喷雾必须常备。
如果你只是坐在车里看动物,那你错过了哈雷恩最精华的部分。这里的犀牛步行(Rhino Drive & Walk)大约收费 270 兰特。专业向导会带你徒步深入丛林,教你如何辨别犀牛粪便的新鲜程度以及脚印的方向。当你距离两吨重的庞然大物只有不到十米,而中间没有任何铁皮车厢挡着时,那种心跳加速的真实感是任何高清纪录片都给不了的。向导会反复叮嘱你保持安静,一旦发现犀牛有警觉迹象,必须迅速退到下风向的树后。
除了那些庞大的哺乳动物,哈雷恩还是观鸟者的天堂,记录在册的鸟类超过 300 种。这里拥有非洲密度最高的白背兀鹫筑巢群。在特定的驱车游猎路线中,你可以看到那些干枯的硬木枝头挂满了巨大的鸟巢。除了兀鹫,你还经常能发现猛雕和短尾雕在空中盘旋。如果运气够好,在靠近河马池的灌木丛里,你还能捕捉到南方地犀鸟的身影。这种体型巨大、长着红色喉囊的鸟在当地文化中被视为雨水的使者,极具观赏价值。
目前的每日保护费(Conservation Fee)为每人 90 兰特,13 岁以下儿童半价。如果你持有南非的 Wild Card(全境或集群卡),可以免去这项费用,直接刷卡进入。建议在入园前准备好部分兰特现金,虽然营地接待处接受信用卡,但偶尔会遇到网络不稳定的情况。
不可以,狮子居住在特殊的安全隔离区内。为了游客安全和管理需要,狮子区仅对公园组织的官方驱车游猎(Game Drive)开放。普通自驾车只能在其他公共区域行驶,那里可以看到犀牛、大象和各类羚羊。早晨和黄昏的官方游猎活动通常持续 2.5 小时,价格大约在 400 兰特左右。
Ndlovu 主营地有一个视野极佳的餐厅,提供简单的自助餐和单点西餐。不过园内的物资比较匮乏,小商店仅售卖基本的饮料、零食和木炭。如果你打算在 Bhubesi 营地自炊,强烈建议在进入公园前的 Simunye 镇或者曼齐尼(Manzini)的超市买齐肉类、蔬菜和饮用水。
从克鲁格公园南部的马莱兰门(Malelane Gate)出发,开车到哈雷恩大约需要 2.5 到 3 小时,其中包含了过境排队的时间。最常用的口岸是 Jeppes Reef 或 Mananga。请务必确认你的签证政策,并在车辆租赁公司开好允许跨境进入斯威士兰的授权信(Letter of Authority),否则会被边境拦下。
Anthony Dos Santos A wonderful spot to unwind from the city. Self drives were great and animals looked in great condition. Cottages were neat and well maintained
Y B Bit of a letdown considering this is the countries National Park and is named for its Lion population, that lions are not possible at all to see with self drive and only a small chance to see with a tour. South Africa parks nearby have way more wildlife and you see it at every turn. This is ok place to drive for a bit but it’s just that impressive.
Angela Arnold I believe this is the best national park in Eswatini! Very accessible for tourists without a vehicle relying on public transport. The entrance is very clearly marked and it is a 5-minute walk from the tar road to the main gate of the park. Once you pay the entrance fee, a staff member will drive you the rest of the way to reception. I really enjoyed my short stay. The gated area where guests stay is small and walking around is not possible outside of the enclosure, so don’t expect hiking or nature walks. If you want to see the big animals, you’ll need to sign up for a 2.5 hour game drive at R480. It is the only way to see the lions. We saw lions on the sunset drive and our driver seemed very shocked which makes me think it is not common to actually spot them. The menu has several affordable options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Be aware that you can only book activities during the daytime, once the sun sets the reception closes. There is no electricity outside of the kitchen so bring a flashlight to help guide you to the rondovals and to the restaurant. I hope to return!
Asheed Abark I have been in a lot of places in my life. But this park was by far the best of the best. Wildlife is all around running free in a natural environment. I experience a great day and time. The protocol for protecting the animal was awesome. Animal has the right of way. To go to sleep with Wildlife in front of your hut and to wake up with them is an awesome experience. The sanctuary offered all you could expect and more.
Eric Scott Loved our visit to the park. The game drive was affordable and had a great guide and experience. We then self drove a majority of the accessible part of the park. We had a small size suv, only 2 wheel drive, and navigated fine. We saw so many Rhinos, elephants, and other animals. Only 2 lions (can only see the lions on the tour as you can't access that part of the park), but still got to see them! The entire time, we only saw 1 other vehicle.