Hangout spots explore to this April
APRIL is a great time to travel and explore different destinations. In many places, April falls during the shoulder season, which means you can often find good deals on accommodations and experience fewer crowds compared to peak travel times. Additionally, the weather in April can be pleasant in many destinations, making it a comfortable time to explore and enjoy your stay.
Mahamba Gorge Lodge
Tumbling waterfalls, racing rapids, and giant potholes scoured out of water course beds, mountains, and forests – mighty rivers gouging their routes from South Africa’s hinterland through Eswatini and beyond, to the coastline of Mozambique. Mahamba Gorge Lodge allows you to appreciate how nature’s crafters have created the dramatic landscape that is Eswatini.
It is this superlative backdrop, together with the desire of the proud and gentle Swati people to share it with visitors, that is making the Kingdom an increasingly sought-after destination for visitors from the rest of Africa and abroad. This desire is shared by Gorge Lodge situated in the heart of this beautiful landscape.
At Mahamba Gorge Lodge you can hike, mountain bike (take your own), fish – or simply relax in comfort in a wonderfully peaceful environment. Let the friendly people who run this popular lodge share their knowledge as they guide you on the many trails in the area. You can “live the culture” through tours and traditional music, and even take traditional dancing lessons.
Phumula Guesthouse
Nestled in a quiet, tranquil location 1km from the main road and 9 km from Mahamba Border Post, Phumula Guesthouse sits in a quiet, picturesque garden setting, swimming pool and braai area. As experts at providing accommodation with warm friendly hospitality within a traditional and homely atmosphere, all guests are made to feel exceptionally welcome.
Suitable for short and long-term accommodation for both families and smaller tourist groups, the lodge boasts 20 double and 9 single spacious, en-suite rooms fully equipped with bar fridges, ceiling fans, electric blankets for colder winter nights and on-site, secure undercover parking. After a long day exploring Eswatini, guests can also relax on the private patio of their room overlooking the garden or enjoy their favourite program on DSTV on request.
The lodge also features an onsite conference hall, big enough to accommodate 250 people, 2 brand new selfcatering units, complete with flat screen DSTV, air conditioning and a patio with an open fire buma braai area.
All this combined with the plethora of activities Phumula offers, including a farm dam perfect for fishing and birdwatching and a family entertainment area currently in progress, guests are guaranteed an unforgettable Swati experience.
Mananga Country Lodge
Mananga Country Lodge is in Tshaneni, 7 km from the Mananga border Post into South Africa. Kruger Park is about an hour’s drive away. The game farm is on 21000ha of lowveld bush with a wide range of ‘game’.
Mananga Country Lodge has an 18 tee/9hole golf course, squash court, tennis courts, swimming pools and a children’s plan ground. Hiking and cycling in the game park are permitted. The bar and a la carte restaurant can cater for small and large groups. The Mananga Country Lodge offers clean and comfortable accommodations in tranquil surroundings. All rooms are ensuite and fully air-conditioned.
Staying at the Guest house entitles you to temporary membership of Sand River Dam where the fishing is excellent, and birding is fantastic. Mananga Country Lodge also has two bush camps which are situated on the edge of the dam, these are self-catering units. Walking trails are available a trained nature guide can be arranged.
Mkhiweni Lodge
Mkhiweni Lodge is in Dombeya Game Reserve, a beautiful and peaceful retreat in central Eswatini, which has over 30 km of gravel game drive roads, and 10 km of walking and hiking trails, and you often see herds of wildlife from the Lodge. The Lodge has stunning sunset views, a lovely private pool, and a wildlife watering hole within a 5-minute stroll.
▸ The Lodge: The self-catering Mkhiweni Lodge is stylish, comfortable, and well-equipped. Tucked in a beautiful part of the Reserve, the lodge provides basic tea/coffee and firewood- you just need to bring your food and drinks.
The lodge is fresh, open, and airy, with a large wrap-around verandah, which is perfect for watching wildlife. There is a very comfortable braai area (BBQ), and it’s common to have herds of giraffes and zebra wandering past.
The lodge has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, with an open-plan kitchen/ sitting area. It can accommodate up to 4 people, though they can always add a camping mattress if you have an additional 1-2 children.
▸ Exploring the Reserve: Dombeya is a beautiful and unique place to relax and enjoy nature, exploring at your own pace. It is an amazing chance to slow down and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature in southern Africa.
The walking/hiking trails wind through the prettiest parts of the Reserve, and it is splendid to encounter wildlife on foot, where you can stop and watch animals for as long as you like. The walking paths move on and off and between the gravel roads, so you can go for as long- or short- a walk as you’d like. The trails take you through dry riverbeds, by watering holes, and through riverine ecosystems- it’s very lovely.
The game drive roads are gravel and excellent for exploring. It is fabulous to take your game drives, and you are welcome to stop and get outside your vehicle at any time. Without the Big 5, this is a beautiful place to enjoy nature, up-close. They have plenty of wildlife, including giraffe, zebra, kudu, nyala, wildebeest, waterbuck, impala, warthog, bushpig, steenbok, grey and red duiker, caracal, genet, bush babies, and many others.
There is also lovely birdwatching in the Reserve. There are over 210 species so far. Keep your eyes open for Pink pinkthroated twin spots, a local favourite. It is recommended that attendees spend at least 2 or 3 nights at the lodge so that attendees have time to go for a sunrise walk, take a few game drives, relax by the pool, and enjoy cooking some delicious meals under the stars. If you have time, you can stay for another night or two and use us as a base to explore the rest of Eswatini.
Nkhankanka Lodge
Nkhankanka means Crested Guinea Fowl in siswati and flocks of the Mbuluzi Game Reserve’s “logo” are commonly seen in the undergrowth around the lodge. The lodge, a perfect place to relax and enjoy the African bush, is surrounded by magnificent Leadwood trees, hundreds of years old. Nkhankanka Lodge overlooks a deep pool in the Mlawula River, and the deck perched looking over is perfect for riverine bird watching or just relaxing.
This self-catering lodge is an ideal venue for up to 8 guests. The main building consists of two bedrooms with double or twin beds and two bathrooms as well as an air-conditioned living area. Here you will find a fully equipped kitchen containing a stove, microwave, fridge-freezer, kettle, pots, pans, crockery, and cutlery.
The adjoining building has two spacious bedrooms offering double or twin beds and en-suite bathrooms. Each has its view into the bush or towards the river with sliding doors to allow you to enjoy the peace and beauty of the bush from the privacy of your room.
Cool down and relax in the lodge’s pool on hot summer days and enjoy the evening at the Braai / BBQ area. From the deck, overlooking the Mlawula River, you can spot African Finfoots, Pink-throated Twinspots and other uncommon bird species. It’s just a home away from home… enjoy it.
Nyanza Guest Cottages
Nyanza Farm lies in the beautiful Malkerns Valley in Eswatini and has been owned and run by the Williams family for more than 50 years. It provides a true Swati farm experience for all nature and animal lovers. Visitors staying at Nyanza have a choice between two guest cottages and a family lodge.
There is an abundance of domestic and farmyard animals to meet, making it a perfect place for a family getaway. All the animals are completely tame and love to be fed and stroked. It is a fully functional farm with an onsite riding school and a Jersey dairy herd. Everyone at Nyanza has a great passion for animals of all shapes and sizes and has been involved in many rescue and welfare cases. Visitors will have a chance to see how many abandoned or ‘in need’ animals have found a forever home at Nyanza.
Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge
Located within Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, the luxurious, highly recommended Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge is surrounded by Royal Botanical Gardens, alive with threatened and endangered antelope, abundant birdlife, and interesting plants. Steeped in history, this upmarket lodge is the former home of Mickey Reilly. Accommodation in the original house includes 2 luxury rooms: ‘Reilly’s’ and ‘Wallis’ rooms and 2 standard rooms, ‘Fern’ and ‘Palm’. The Garden Cottage has two standard rooms, which share a common cosy lounge, the perfect option for travelling companions. The main house also features a communal lounge where guests enjoy nightcaps by a roaring fire on colder nights.
Dinners are traditionally around the open campfire on the terrace, retreating to a warm dining room in inclement weather. Breakfasts are served on the veranda, overlooking a busy bird table frequented by an array of birds, klipspringer, and blue duikers. With just 6 rooms and surrounded by secret gardens and fascinating creatures, Reilly’s Rock is the ultimate romantic retreat, outdoor break or simply a quality base from which to explore Eswatini.
Wide Horizons Mountain Retreat
This place rests in the heart of Eswatini’s countryside. Timelessly tucked away on the slopes of the majestic Makhungutsha Mountain, the Lodge offers spectacular panoramic views and a tranquil, earthy vibe. Enriched by a stunning mountainous backdrop, and vibrant and colourful gardens, this peaceful paradise will be sure to inspire and rejuvenate you.
Stay in the original stone and thatch farmhouse, packed with charm and character, or select a private cottage or luxury tented camp. All accommodation options, including self-catering, are within the nature reserve, giving you 200 hectares of wildlife estate to explore.
Meander on the hiking trails among impala, zebra, nyala, wildebeest and other wildlife. Delve a little deeper and discover indigenous forests full of birdsong, cascading streams, impressive boulders, and ancient caves. Visit the sculpture trail for some fun and flare, fish in the dams or take a sundowner adventure, game walk or cultural visit.
Try your hand at tennis or croquet on the lawn, among the fellowship of friends or family. End your day by relaxing around the natural rock swimming pool or soaking up some quiet time in the contemplation chapel.