Spread the love

Next in our series of ’50 Reasons to Visit Eswatini (Swaziland) in 50/50 Year’, numbers 21-25 focus on 5 of the most thrilling adventure activities the country has to offer.

21. Canopy Tours
Malolotaja Nature Reserve is home to Eswatini’s first and only Tree Top Canopy Tour. This is located in the Sihlotswane Gorge, where one 50m suspension bridge and 11 wooden platforms have been ingeniously affixed to the steep sides. Participants descend the gorge by ziplining down on a steel cable from platform to platform high above over the forest canopy and Majolomba river. Some lines are more than 300m long.

22. Mountain Biking
A 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 specific mountain bike trails in a number of locations, including some of the country’s reserves. Mhlambanyatsi, Hawane, Hlane, Malolotja, Mbuluzi and Shewula all offer great trails. Eswatini is also known for its mountain bike races organised through the year, including INYATSI Swazi Frontier and Imevelo MTB Classic.

23. White Water Rafting
Trips are run by Swazi Trails on the Bulungapoort section of the Usutu River, between Sidvokodvo and Siphofaneni, in the centre of Swaziland. 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. For most of the year this is generally a Grade III (medium difficulty) rafting river. Tubing is also a wonderful way to experience the beautiful remote area of Ngwempisi Gorge whilst you float downstream in large adapted inner tubes, kitted out with safety helmets.


24. Horse Riding
Exploring on horseback offers perhaps even greater freedom than on foot or on a bike and views always seem to be more spectacular when seen from the back of a horse! Eswatini offers visitors the opportunity to discover the beautiful country along a number of horse riding trails and, again, duration can be anything from a couple of hours to a number of days, depending on experience and ability. The main stables all have good facilities and cater to all levels they are found at: Mlilwane (Chubeka Trails), Ezulwini Valley (Hoofbeat Safaris), Mhlambanyatsi (Foresters Arms Hotel), Hawane Resort, Malkerns (Nyanza Stables).

25. Caving
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.
Others in the ’50 Reasons to Visit Eswatini in 50/50 Year’ Series:

#1-5: Why Visit NOW
#6-10: People & Culture
#11-15: Arts & Crafts
#16-20: Wildlife