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Southern Africa

Swaziland

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The Mananga or Jeppes Reef border posts are just under an hour’s drive from our holiday home, Mhofu. Take your time – it’s a lovely experience and you’ll get plenty of stamps in your passport! In the Kingdom of Swaziland, the north is a mountainous region dotted with traditional Swazi houses. It is entirely surrounded by South Africa.

 

Discover Swaziland on a day trip! Ask us about the options!

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All the sights and parks are easily accessible from the capital, Mbabane.

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  • Malolotja Nature Reserve, Swaziland’s largest nature park (an 18,000-hectare national park with a mountainous landscape, ranging in altitude from 1,600 to over 1,800 metres), is situated 25 km north-west of Mbabane. There are log cabins where you can stay overnight. It’s a wonderful area for walking and very easy; you simply follow the boulders with the white markings!

  • Mlilwane Nature Reserve is the oldest park and is situated in the Ezulwini Valley. This popular wildlife park is ideal for walking, as it does not feature the Big Five. You’ll see zebras, wildebeest, impalas and kudus, amongst others. Hikes range from 2.5 to 5 hours. You can also go horse-riding, and the rangers organise Land Rover tours.

  • The museum village of Mantenga lies at the foot of two mountains: Sheba’s Breast and Execution Rock. Both mountains can be easily climbed in a couple of hours. Enjoy the fantastic view of the ‘Valley of Heaven / Ezulweni’. After the descent, you can swim beneath the Mantenga waterfall or watch a traditional dance. From April to October, the weather is ideal for walking.

  • Shewula is situated in the east of Swaziland. This project is run by the local community. From Shewula, you can go on various nature and cultural walks accompanied by a guide. It is situated near the Hlane Royal National Park, 70 km east of Mbabane. From December to April it is the height of summer, but because of its high altitude (1,500 metres), the climate is reasonably pleasant by African standards. Nature is at its most beautiful in summer!

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Visit the offical Swaziland website for more. You don’t need a visa for Swaziland. But do make sure you sort out entry with your car when you collect it! They have their own currency (emilangeni), but you can also pay in rands at the same exchange rate!

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Mozambique

The Lebombo (SA) / Ressano Garcia (MOZ) border post is less than 20 km from the Mhofu holiday home. In this typical, traditional African country, you are immediately struck by the stark contrast with modern South Africa. Along the wide boulevards in the capital, Maputo, you’ll find both colonial buildings from the Portuguese period and blocks of flats from the 1960s and 1970s.​​

 

  • Discover Maputo on a day trip! Ask us about the options!

  • Our experience: A midweek break in Praia de Tofo (2011)

  • Our experience: Eating prawns in Mozambique (2009)

  • Mozambique & Daphne Bunsbroek: 2009.

  • Our experience: A day out in Maputo in 2007 (capital of Mozambique)

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  • Ilha de Inhaca: The subtropical island of Inhaca, situated on the other side of Maputo Bay, covers an area of 52 km². Beaches, snorkelling and diving are all within a 3-hour journey. A package deal (including the boat trip) through a tour operator is recommended. In 1502, Vasco da Gama set foot here.

  • Inhambane: You enter Inhambane via the E1 (the motorway from ZA to the north). Inhambane Bay is famous for its many dhows (flat-bottomed sailing vessels), and there are stunning views from the pier. The small dhows are used to transport people and goods (cashew nuts, fish and coconuts). Inhambane, founded in 1534, is the capital of the province of the same name and has a population of 77,000.

  • De stranden van Tofo & Barra boast the most beautiful wide white beaches in Mozambique. Palm trees and an azure-blue ocean can be found at Praia do Tofo & Barra (620 km from Mhofu). The reef is renowned for its diving and snorkelling spots. You can admire the friendly giants – manta rays and whale sharks – underwater. Read about our experience above!

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A valid passport (valid for 6 months). If you are a tourist, you do not need a visa (1 May 2023). You must, however, register on the Mozambican government’s website. This costs approximately €10. And arrange entry in advance with the car hire company.

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