MY HAPPY PLACE

Reilly's Rock Lodge in the Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Slipping across the border into Swaziland at Onverwacht feels like Alice going through the Looking Glass. It’s on the outskirts of Pongola (where we live) and going to Swaziland always makes me happy. It’s like exhaling and forgetting all that shitty stuff that’s happening this side of the border.

My bestest place on the planet is Reilly’s Rock in the Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary.

Rob with Ruth & Lizzy

Our first stop after a warm greeting from Ruth and Lizzy at Reilly’s Rock is Milwane Hill, for a gin and tonic. The hill is fenced off to facilitate the breeding of endangered and locally threatened antelope, like roan, oribi, suni, red duiker and grysbok, as well as safeguarding the Royal Botanical Gardens featuring the Gilbert Reynolds Memorial Aloe Garden.

Majestic Roan

Suni, red duiker & a plethora of birds

Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge is the original home of the former Mickey Reilly. This quaintly colonial homestead has been converted into an intimate 6 roomed lodge. There are many colourful stories about Mickey Reilly, an entrepreneur who ran the McCreedy Tin Mines in the early 1900’s. This is where Ted Reilly grew up and his love and commitment to nature conservation took root.

Ted is one of God’s special people, and it’s always such a treat to spend time with him and his wife Liz. Their passion for Swaziland’s wildlife is immeasurable and their contribution a legacy. Ted is clearly a national treasure.

Red Tiger Lodge in Mkhaya Game Reserve
Now being restored to its former glory

Ted plays a major role in the future of Swaziland’s wildlife and his latest project is testimony that despite his 80 plus years, he has no intention of resting. Even some serious health issues could not stop him. Heading south towards Big Bend we stopped off at Mkhaya Game Reserve where we spent some precious time with Ted and Liz.

Showing us around the sites for the
proposed accommodation.
Ted, living on the edge, as usual

Red Tiger Ranch, formerly a section of the Massive Bar R Ranch, totaling 175,000 acres, originally belonged to Alister Miller, and Dr. Leo and Di Joubert built the original Red Tiger homestead in the 1940’s. The Reilly’s bought Red Tiger Ranch as an extension to Mkhaya Game Reserve in 1984. Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands has contributed generously to the reserve.

The natural pool.
Making sure no harm is done to any frogs

Young Bruce Joubert’s dream was to see the farm converted into a game reserve. The Reilly family has helped to realise this dream. The next owner after the Jouberts, a man named Khoza, inadvertently burnt down the homestead, leaving it abandoned and exposed to the elements for 40 years. Ted’s vision has been to resurrect it into a warm, functional place where I am sure many folk will make memories. We have watched the Red Tiger Lodge evolve and it has been a magical experience. Eventually Red Tiger Lodge will become Mkhaya’s reception and main gate entry point. The Reilly family is dedicated to sharing this truly spiritual wonder filled with an abundance of wildlife, lizards, frogs and the warmth of the Eswatini people.

The unusual name of the farm was because it is blessed with an abundance of Rooitier grass (Themeda triandra), a valuable resource. Directly translated from Afrikaans this is Red Tiger. This grass is a favoured fodder, high in nutrients and its dominance is a sure indication of healthy virgin veld.

Spectacular gin & tonic views

Red Tiger Lodge is still ‘under construction’ and will soon offer accommodation with the newly revamped homestead becoming the entertainment hub. The views across the reserve are stunning and I have no doubt this will become another of my bestest places to be.

For more information about Swaziland’s Big Game Parks click onto: https://biggameparks.org/