Remote Villages & Safaris in Eswatini & Kruger

Johannesburg

Touch down in Johannesburg (South Africa) and travel overland to the Ezulwini Valley in Eswatini. Small but mighty, Eswatini has fascinating culture, awesome wildlife and the last reigning monarch in Africa.
Make sure you get some rest after your flight, you’re about to take the road less travelled and experience the places you’ve been dreaming about. Rugged mountains, tribal culture and incredible wildlife, it’s all here waiting to be discovered.

Ezulwini Valley

Unzip your tent in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley, with awesome wildlife, traditional culture and a backdrop of craggy hills, it’s known as the ‘Valley of Heaven’.
Dive into expedition life, allocate some group roles and contact the ground team to discuss your plans. You’ll need to buy some food supplies, so head to the markets and get to grips with the currency, the Swazi Lilangeni.
Discover cultural treasures, including traditional Swazi markets. Surrounded by stunning landscapes, you can hike scenic trails or visit craft centres all while immersing yourself in local culture.
Hop in the transfer vehicle and head to Mantenga Cultural Village for a dance performance. Learn more about Swazi culture and the importance of dance as you explore the village with a local guide.

Neighbourhood Care Point

Discover the reality of local life when you join a Neighbourhood Care Point (NCP) in rural Eswatini. These community-driven centres support vulnerable children with meals, education and more.
Help out with the NCP’s work and get immersed in village life. Take guided walks, learn about cattle herding and have a go at lutindzi grass weaving; a traditional way of making mats, the grass is harvested high in the mountains. If you’re there on a Sunday, you could join the whole village in church, it’s an important element of local life.
This is a side of Eswatini that few tourists see. You’ll be using bucket showers and pit latrines, with none of the comforts you’re used to back home. Leap outside your comfort zone, stay open-minded and embrace every opportunity.

Mbabane & Ngwenya

Travel through the capital city of Mbabane and onwards to Ngwenya Mine, the oldest mine in the world.
Trek up to the Lions Cavern and take in the awesome views before heading to the Ngwenya Glass Complex, an inspiring place where recycled glass is transformed into beautiful sculptures and household items. You could also buy some souvenirs from the Eswatini Fair Trade Organisation.
Crash out back in the Ezulwini Valley, or dip into your spending money and learn more about Eswatini’s history at the National Museum.

Ngwempisi

Pile back into the transfer vehicle and head south. You’re about to tackle a three day trek through Ngempisi. On the way there, visit the Swazi Candles Complex to learn about this age-old art and have a go yourself.
Step forward as team leader and set off with your local guides. Lead your team across rugged trails, and follow the river downstream past dramatic mountain scenery. Before you set up camp, you’ll need to collect some water and firewood, ready to sleep beneath the stars.
Dig deep as you scramble to reach your final camp high above the river. The climb is tough with steep inclines, and rocky paths but the sweeping views make it all worthwhile.

Malolotja Reserve

Pack your bag for a short trek to meet the transfer vehicle, then set off on a road trip to the Malolotja Reserve.
On the way there, stop off to discover the mighty Sibebe Rock, the world’s second biggest monolith.
When you arrive in Malolotja, set up camp in the beautiful Nature Reserve. Managed by the Swaziland National Trust Commission on behalf of the King, this mountain wilderness is one of the last of its kind.
Get ready to explore on foot. Stroll along rocky paths and through rugged bush, past herds of zebra, antelope, wildebeest and eland, the largest antelope in the world. Then settle down for a camp dinner and an epic sunset.
At night, watch a zillion stars twinkle above your tents. You’ll sleep like a log tonight!

Kruger National Park

Thought this trip couldn’t get any better? It just did. You’re on your way to Kruger National Park, one of the world’s top safari spots. Of all the national parks in Africa, this vast wilderness has the greatest diversity of wildlife.
Wake up early for a sunrise safari when the animals are most active, or head out later to spot them snoozing in the shade. You could also venture out after dark, when lions and leopards are out on the hunt.
As you explore in a 4x4, look for herds of buffalo and elephants on the plains and grab your binoculars for a closer look!
At night, you’ll sleep safe in your tent, listening to the whoops of hyenas and the distant roar of big cats.

Johannesburg

After the best two weeks of your life, it’s time to travel home, so cram everything into your backpack and head to the airport.
Check in, sit back and let it all sink in, you’ve just experienced something incredible. Eswatini has opened your eyes and challenged you more than you ever imagined. You’ve fast-tracked your life skills and connected with the locals; you’ve led your team and made new friends for life.
These experiences will shape who you are and put you on the path to becoming a true global citizen. Prepare to return home forever changed.