Mnquma hikers explore Bozwana mountain area
The Mnquma Trail Hikers camped at the Queen Nonesi Cultural Village for an early hike on the Bozwana Mountains.
The hikers took the Gqebenya route and went down the Bozwana waterfalls, then returned to their starting point.
Emalahleni Local Municipality executive mayor Nontombizanele Koni said: “What we have started through our tourism unit is now becoming a reality. Getting hikers from Amathole District and OR Tambo District in areas of Butterworth, Dutywa and our own Engcobo shows that we are getting there.”
Koni said they will have a bigger camping site in Emalahleni Local Municipality.
“Hikers and tourists will come from all over the country to observe and enjoy the scenic view of our areas like Bozwana, where Mnquma Trail Hikers visited, Qwempe, Xonxa dam for water dam games, as well as areas where there are Khoisan caves and paintings.
“We have got a lot to offer here in our area. We are thankful to Mnquma Trail Hikers for setting foot in our area.
“We wish them all the best on their first experience of this natural beauty. Hoping to see them here soon, looking for more.”
She said, as the municipality, they partnered with the Komani Hiking Club, as the area has the potential of growing and becoming a tourist centre.
“People will come from all over the province. As the municipality, we have a duty to make the environment conducive for hikers,” she said.
She said they welcomed everyone to experience the beautiful mountains and the environment.
“We have caves, old paintings on the rocks and a lot of things that can attract tourists in the area,” she said.
Deputy chair of Mnquma Trail Hikers Sisa Baliso said they “had a great weekend”.
“The experience of the hiking and the waterfalls was amazing. I did not think that we have such beautiful places in the province. We hope more tourists will visit the area,” he said.
Baliso said they have seen a lot of fish and they had an experience of a lifetime.
“We are coming back next year,” he said.