Lots To Do In Exciting Eswatini

The fabulous kingdom of Eswatini is equally equipped for the thrill seeker as it for the safari lover or culture enthusiast. The variety and range of activities available in this small country is truly remarkable. Eswatini Tourism Authority’s website highlights all the activities on offer in the country, from getting up close and personal with wildlife and leisurely hikes through a pristine wilderness, to high-speed journeys down river or gorge. Indeed there is so much to keep all visitors fully occupied! With nowhere more than 2 hours away from the country’s central tourism hub, activities can be enjoyed with ease and visitors are able to pack in as much, or as little adventure as they wish.

With wildlife sanctuaries and nature reserves dotted around the country, and home to the famed ‘Big 5’, Eswatini is a wonderful safari destination. And the opportunity to horse ride, cycle and walk alongside wildlife in some reserves gives and added element of adventure

Here is our pick of what to do in Eswatini and for more please visit: https://www.thekingdomofeswatini.com/eswatini-experiences/

A SPLASH OF FUN WITH WHITE WATER RAFTING

If you love the waves and adventures on water, then White-Water Rafting is just for you. These trips are run by Swazi Trails on the Bulungapoort section of the Usutu River, between Sidvokodvo and Siphofaneni, in the centre of Eswatini. This is a remote and inspiring stretch of river. Its brown waters thunder through clefts and gorges, alternating with calmer stretches of bush and grazing land. You can expect fine views of rural Eswatini, with imposing rock formations, riverbank community life and a fair amount of wildlife.  As the trips use two-person inflatable rafts, with no guide on board, there is more to do than when simply floating downstream on a ten-man raft, where you need only hold on. That said, it is perfectly suited to first timers, especially during the May–October low water season.

Tel: +(268) 24162180 Email: info@swazitrails.co.sz

GLIDE DOWN THE FOREST IN EXCITING CANOPY TOUR

Are you looking for a unique and unforgettable adventure activity? Then the Malolotja Canopy Tour hosted at the Maloloja Nature Reserve is just what you need. This is Eswatini’s first and only Tree Top Canopy Tour. Participants descend a gorge by zip-lining down on a steel cable from platform to platform high above over the forest canopy and Majolomba river. This activity is located in the Sihlotswane Gorge, where one 50m suspension bridge and 11 wooden platforms have been ingeniously affixed to the steep sides. Some lines are more than 300m long.

The canopy tour offers views of towering cliff faces and the treetops across the forest. Safety is paramount, and the system has been built to the highest civil engineering standards. Guides are trained professionals and this breath-taking experience can be enjoyed by people of all ages.

Tel: +268 7660 6755 Email: culturalvillage@sntc.org.sz

LOVELY SAFARIS AT PARKS AND GAME RESERVES

Eswatini is a Big 5 destination, with lions and elephants in Hlane Royal National Park, and both black and white rhino in both Hlane and Mkhaya Game Reserve. Game drives are very rewarding, but there are also opportunities to safari on horseback, mountain bike or on foot, if you want to get up close and personal. This even applies to the rhino, which can be tracked on foot – one of the most thrilling safari experiences there is. But, in Eswatini it’s not all about being big, with some rare species of smaller flora and fauna to be discovered. As for the birdwatching, the variety of species found across Eswatini’s varied habitats matches that of the much larger Kruger Park just to the country’s north.

Tel: +268 2528 3943/4 Email: reservations@biggameparks.org

GO UNDERGROUND WITH CAVING FUN

Those who want to get beneath the surface of Eswatini– literally – could try this innovative activity run by Swazi Trails. It explores a unique cave system formed by the Kophola River that flows underground between Msunduza and Kophola Mountains, just off the Malagwane Hill between Mbabane and the Ezulwini Valley. There is an 800m course of subterranean passages some 90m below ground. This is the only major granite cave system known in Southern Africa.  Progress is slow and strenuous – with belly crawls, body jams and fluttering bats – but no experience is necessary. Participants must be reasonably fit, aged 8–65, and able to fit through narrow passageways. All necessary equipment is provided, and trained guides accompany the two-hour course.

Tel: +(268) 24162180 Email: info@swazitrails.co.sz

EXPLORE ESWATINI LANDSCAPES CYCLING

Another great way to explore Eswatini’s stunning landscapes is by mountain bike. As with walking and trekking, the most adventurous can set out on their own across the country. However, there are popular, specific mountain bike trails in a number of locations, including Mhlambanyatsi, Hawane, Hlane, Malolotja, Mbuluzi and Shewula. Popular cycling excursions include cycling safaris at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, where all the family at ride around the grounds at their own leisure and discover the local wildlife.  Eswatini is also home to collection of Mountain Bike races and challenges that take place throughout the Swazi calendar.

Tel: +268 2528 3943/4 Email: reservations@biggameparks.org

REACH GREAT HEIGHTS CLIMBING & ABSEILING

Eswatini’s highlands, mountains and gorges offer opportunities to both climb and descend a number of rock faces. Most popular sites include Sibebe Rock, north of Mbabane, where the three-billion-year-old volcanic slab offers a challenge to climb the ‘face’ of Sibebe Rock. A daunting prospect to even pro climbers. Alternative easier routes are available, with the possibility of a simple hike too. Execution Rock, a dramatic peak that was once the location of public executions in past times, is a popular attraction. Its rocky surroundings is a great area for climbing, and the latest trend, bouldering.

Abseiling, although less popular, is offering by Swazi Trails, a local tour operator that specialises in adventure and adrenaline-fueled activities in Eswatini.

Email: info@thekingdomofeswatini.com

EXPLORATIONS OF LAND VIA QUAD BIKES

Eswatini has a handful of quad biking opportunities for tourists to try. From hour-long dedicated quad bike trails to half day explorations, there are some high-quality experiences on offer in which you can explore woodlands and nature reserves and muddy tracks that you may avoid on foot. Quad bikes, and trails are available with Swazi Trails in the Ezulwini Valley, at Hawane Resort and the Nkonyeni Golf Estate.

Tel: +(268) 24162180 Email: info@swazitrails.co.sz

Location: Nkonyeni Golf Estate Email: nkonyenigolf@swazi.net

Additional information sourced from content partner ETA:  www.thekingdomofeswatini.com