Ngwempisi Hiking Trails

Just an hour's drive south of Mbabane, through the fertile and beautiful Malkerns Valley, is Mankayane, one of Swaziland's oldest towns, dotted with quaint buildings and trading stores. Not far from here adventure-seekers can access one of the most ruggedly beautiful areas of Swaziland. The Ngwempisi River has sliced its way through the sandstone and shale of the Ntfungulu Hills to create the Ngwempisi Gorge. The eco-region is a blend of typically midlevel and lowveld savannah. Here, flatlands and undulating hills range from a mere 300 m to 1,450 m above sea level. This diverse geology is what makes Swaziland the strikingly beautiful country that it is. This topography also ensures that hiking here is always a challenging and satisfying experience.

The 33-km Ngwempisi Trail provides endless vistas of plateau, woodlands, riverine forest and mountainous terrain. Guests have the opportunity to see numerous birds, interesting flora and fascinating rock outcrops. The lowveld eco-region contains a diversity of bird species, including two globally threatened species -  Rudd's Apalis and the Pink-throated Twinspot.

But it is the accommodation that wins hearts and ensures hiking groups return again and again. The huts on this trail are said to rival those on South Africa's premier hiking route, The Otter Trail. Khopho Hut provides unsurpassed views and is architecturally designed to blend in with the surrounding bouldered koppie. Mhlabeni Hut is within a riverine forest. Peace and tranquillity are great companions on return from hiking trips, whilst a dip in the river is must in summer at Mhlabeni Camp. What's more, guests can cook up a delicious self-catered meal or pre-arrange for meals to be provided by the local community chefs [only self-catering options exist at present]. A hot shower and adequately comfortable bed will complete the day [showers are cold water only].

There is clean drinking water, bunk beds with high-density foam mattresses [mattrasses are missing from Mhlabeni Hut, kitchen roof has collapsed], flush toilets, gas-fired showers [currently non-functional], braai areas and gas and coal stoves to round off the facilities. What's more, it is just a 3-hour drive from Nelspruit, or 4.5 hours from Johannesburg.

There is a reservation, reception and orientation office at the start of the trail [this is not in place - the only point of contact is a community hut close to Khopho Hut. Expected guests can asked to be met at this point by a community guide. There is a cell number that can be used for contact]. This departure point also offers horse trails through the local private farming estate. Ngwempisi is best tackled over three nights, however one and two-day outings are equally satisfying as there are numerous short walks to the river or into the local community.

Ngwempisi is a venture that is managed and maintained by the local rural community. The project is a partnership between the Velesizweni communities comprising the Etjebovu, Ntondozi, and Kadinda people.