Slackpacking in Eswatini

Step Lightly – Slackpacking Adventures in Eswatini

Eswatini is a small little puzzle piece semi-surrounded by South Africa. What it lacks in size, is made up for it by the heights and furrows of its mountains.

High escarpments, grasslands, valleys, game reserves and rural communities, all packed into a country that is wonderfully rewarding to explore on foot.

The Malolotja Nature Reserve in the north western part of the country is one of the standout areas for mountain walking, with open highveld, valleys and rugged terrain. Mgwempisi Gorge is also a draw card for nature lovers; making your way along the banks of this pristine river keeping an eye out for rare aloes, swims in mountain pools and nights in a rustic lodge makes for a varied and rich slackpacking adventure. The Long and narrow Lubombo Mountain Range also provides many hiking opportunities.

Walking through Eswatini can feel very different from hiking in a South African wilderness area. Here you are often moving through a peopled landscape as locals walk between communities and go about their daily lives. This makes slackpacking in Eswatini as much about culture as it is about communing with nature. The local guides with their colourful stories, the staying in community run lodges, eating local food, feeling the heart and hearth of the country is part of what makes Eswatini slackpacking so unique. If you are interested in responsible tourism, conservation and community all threaded through gorgeous landscapes and interesting slackpacking itineraries, Eswatini is the place for you..