hiking – All Out Africa

The Lubombo Trail

Marie Dahl — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 07:07:06 +0000

FAST FACTS

ITINERARY

The Lubombo Trail

4 Days | Slack Packing in the Lubombo Conservancy

Follow ancient footpaths along the spine of the Lubombo Mountains — a landscape shaped by soaring ridgelines, deep valleys, and sweeping views across Eswatini and Mozambique. By day, hike light through rugged terrain, riverine forests, and wildlife-rich reserves; by night, settle into set-up camps where hot meals, crackling fires, and quiet mountain nights await.

This fully guided, fully catered 4-day trail connects Mhlumeni, Mlawula and Mbuluzi — three conservation areas that together reveal the wild, diverse heart of the Lubombo region.
Slackpacking means you carry only a daypack, leaving the logistics to us so you can fully immerse yourself in the rhythm, beauty, and serenity of these ancient mountains.

DESTINATION	The Lubombo Conservancy, Eswatini
DURATION:	4 Days/3 Nights
INCLUDES:	Trail fees, tented accommodation, meals, all equipment needed, guide
START DATES:	Any time for private groups. See open group dates below
PERFECT FOR:	Families, group travel, individuals, adventurers, students, etc.
RATES (FROM):	R 4,661 pp (2026) Prices vary depending on number of participants.

ITINERARY

Day 1 | Arrival

15:00 Arrive at Magadzavane Lodge. You will meet your guides and support team here and load your bags into the tour vehicle before enjoying a 30min drive, through the Mhlumeni Community to Mhlumeni Bush Lodge.

There is no hiking on Day 1 but you can explore the camp and enjoy the afternoon on top of the Lubombo Plateau as the sun sets over the lowveld below. There are beautiful views from the top of the Lubombo Mountains into Mlawula Nature Reserve (west) and the coastal plains of Mozambique (east)

Dinner is served at 18:00.

After dinner your Trail Guide, will give a briefing of the trail days ahead.

MHLUMENI BUSH CAMP

Comfy en-suite safari tents with bedding and towels provided.

No electricity but lanterns and LED lights are provided.

Day 2 | Lower Potholes | 10 KMs

EARLY breakfast.

Depart Mhlumeni Bush Camp on foot and walk along the plateau through wilderness areas into Mlawula Nature Reserve. Enjoy the gentle descent into the wild Siphiso Valley.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Mhlumeni Wilderness Area
Wooded depressions
Open grasslands
Westward views over the lowveld
Siphiso Valley
Picnic lunch en-route
Hot showers on arrival
Enjoy the evening around the campfire.

DISTANCE & DURATION

10 KMs (approx. 5.5 hours).

SIPHISO CAMP

Canvas dome safari tents. Wide open camp area with hide overlooking the seasonal Siphiso River. Thatch lapa for cover. Basic/rustic, shared, showers and flush toilets, electricity is available.

Day 3 | Komati Gorge | 17 KMs

AFTER BREAKFAST depart camp and walk through the foothills of the Lubombos down the remote and beautiful Malayida Valley. The trail on this day explores the hidden valleys in the heart of the Lubombo Conservancy and has more variety of landscapes in comparison to the previous day.

TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS

Malayida Valley & Cave
Mbuluzi River Valley
Mbuluzi River
Hot showers on arrival in camp

DISTANCE & DURATION

17 KMs (approx. 7.5 hours).

MBULUZI CAMP

Canvas dome safari tents with mattresses. There is a boma area with central fire and seating. There are stylish, outdoor bush showers and flush toilets, no electricity but lanterns are provided.

Day 4 | Views Galore

RISE EARLY and take a scenic open vehicle game drive out to the Mbuluzi Gorge Viewpoint where you will enjoy hot drinks and rusks as you welcome the sun over the Lubombo Mountains.

Relax in the morning stillness and soak up the beautiful views before walking back to camp along the walking trail.

On arrival at camp, breakfast is served in the boma.

After breakfast take a short walk down to the Mbuluzi River Potholes and relax on the rocks while the support staff pack up camp and prepare for departure.

The guides will prepare a packed lunch and then it’s time to depart camp (11:15) and enjoy a game drive through Mlawula Game Reserve, back to your vehicle at Magadzavane Lodge.

2026 RATES

Choose your option:

Private Trail

Get a group together with your friends and family. See rates below.

Set Depatures

Join a group and meet new people – check 2026 dates here.

Pricing Details

2026

Package Upgrades

What's Excluded

What's Included

DATES & AVAILABILITY

2026 Departure Dates

Scheduled Departures

Join a group and meet other hikers on our scheduled departures.

(Min. 8 guests and Max. 12 guests)

GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION

What To Bring

Accommodation

Meals

Please let us know, if you have special dietary requirements.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Frequently Asked Questions

What’s Included in Tours?

The Malolotja Trail

Marie Dahl — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 13:39:00 +0000

The Malolotja Trail

4 Days | Slack Packing in Malolotja Nature Reserve

Step into Eswatini’s wildest frontier on the Malolotja Trail. By day, hike light across rugged escarpments, rolling grasslands, and tumbling waterfalls; by night, arrive to set-up camps and hearty meals under star-filled skies. This fully guided, fully catered 4-day trail reveals the untouched beauty of Malolotja Nature Reserve — one of Southern Africa’s most spectacular and unspoiled wilderness areas.

Slackpacking means you carry only a daypack, leaving the logistics to us while you immerse yourself in pure adventure.

DESTINATION	Malolotja Nature Reserve, Eswatini
DURATION:	4 Days/3 Nights
INCLUDES:	Trail fees, tented accommodation, meals, all equipment needed, guide
START DATES:	Any time for private groups. See open group dates below
PERFECT FOR:	Families, group travel, individuals, adventurers, students, etc.
RATES (FROM):	R 6,724 pp (2026) Prices vary depending on number of participants.

ITINERARY

Day 1 | Arrival | 7 KMs

7:30-8:30 – Meet guides and porters Malolotja Reception and hand over excess kit. Guests prepare a packed lunch before departure.
Short briefing of the trail days.
Hop into a 4X4 vehicle and transfer to the Trail Head.

Highlights this day:
• Upper parts of the Malolotja River Valley.
• Top of the Timbeleni Ridge
• Mhlangamphepa Falls
• Mhlangamphepa Valley
• Swimming in the beautiful rock pool
• Dinner around the campfire

Overnight at a beautiful wild camp near a water course. (No shade, no toilet, no shower, no electricity)

Afternoon options:
• Enjoy the natural pool or add a hike from camp to enjoy the scenery

Day 2 | Lower Potholes | 10 KMs

Early start and walk up the beautiful Mhlangamphepa Valley reaching the Lower Potholes around lunch time.

Highlights this day:
• Amazing views
• Skirting Siloftwane Peak
• Malolotja Valley
• Lower Potholes
• Afternoon spent at the potholes
• Evening around the campfire

Overnight at a beautiful shaded wild camp at the potholes. (Basic pit latrine, no shower, no electricity)

Afternoon options:
• Enjoy the natural pool or add a hike from camp to enjoy the scenery

Day 3 | Komati Gorge | 5 KMs

Enjoy a couple of hours relaxing at the Lower Potholes soaking up the breathtaking surroundings. Depart mid-morning.

Highlights this day:

• Malolotja River
• Komati River
• Komati Gorge
• Views of Mgwaiza Ridge
• Afternoon spent relaxing and swimming in the Komati River
• Evening around the campfire

Overnight at a beautiful shaded wild camp set on the sandy banks of the Komati River. (No toilet, no shower, no electricity)

Afternoon options:
• Enjoy a dip the cool river or add a hike from camp to enjoy the scenery

Day 4 | 3,5 KMs

Enjoy some time relaxing and swimming in the Komati River. Depart mid-morning and walk up and out of the Komati Valley to the Nkomati View Point.

Highlights this day:

• Komati Gorge
• Scenic vehicle transfer
• Views of Maguga Dam

— END OF TOUR —

2025 RATES

Choose your option:

Private Trail

Get a group together with your friends and family. See rates below.

Set Depatures

Join a group and meet new people – check 2026 dates here.

Pricing Details

2026

Package Upgrades

What's Excluded

What's Included

DATES & AVAILABILITY

2026 Departure Dates

Scheduled Departures

Join a group and meet other hikers on our scheduled departures.

(Min. 8 guests and Max. 12 guests)

GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION

What To Bring

Accommodation

Meals

Please let us know, if you have special dietary requirements.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

General Frequently Asked Questions

What’s Included in Tours?

Trekking from point A to point B

All Out Afica — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 23:24:02 +0000

Trekking from point A to point B might be a hassle at first but with patience and being present, any hiking trail becomes a walk in the park. I have learnt to be present, observing the sights around me and connecting with nature. To me, hiking is much more than an outdoor activity. It is a philosophy and medicine for the body and most of all for the soul. When I go hiking I feel as if I am making a journey inside myself and all my senses become so acute. Hiking has become an escape to me by getting away and thinking of nothing but the walk, the trail and nature.

My last hike has to be my favourite so far. I recently hiked Sheba’s breast mountain and from a certain point, the mountain peak looks like a woman’s breast. The hiking trail starts at Lidwala Lodge, It took me about an hour to reach the top and about 45 minutes to go down.

I had a goal and the initial goal was to hike and plant my Wild Mango tree (Umbubuli in Siswati) at the base. The wild mango tree is also known by its scientific name, Mangifera indica, it is also home to monkeys, birds and bats.

As I trailed up, my muscles were screaming for mercy and my toes rubbing in my hiking shoes, I sought for shade and I leaned against a rugged bark asking myself the question: is it worth it? Sometimes the pain we endure when hiking dissuade us but the rewards of hiking are too great.

Guess what!!! I made it to the top and I must say Sheba’s breast mountain has one the most of the beautiful views in the Kingdom of Eswatini. I think I was up there for a good 30 minutes until I hiked down to the mountain base to plant my tree, I just wanted to be fully immersed in the nature surrounding me.

When I finally reached the mountain base I planted the tree, it is incredible how vital trees are. As the biggest plants on the planet, they give us oxygen, store carbon, stabilize the soil and give life to the world’s wildlife. Next time you think about going on a hike or visit any eco-tourism business think about the environment and be responsible.

If you want to know about more about your favourite Eswatini based Eco-tourism and Conservation areas visit www.izele.org

Written by Simise Masilela, Marketing Assistant and Team Leader