| The Tourism of Eswatini newsletters reported that Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary’s Chubeka Trails launched a new and exciting way of exploring the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)! With the diversity of terrain, experience, adventure and accommodation, the Swazi Culture & Scenery Trail is a real African trail unlike anything else currently available. The 10-day itinerary includes a 6-day horse trail with 3 days of safari, visiting all three of Eswatini’s Big Game Parks. No two days are alike on this trail, with constantly changing habitats. From game-studded plains to mountains, commercial forests, rural communities, and spectacular highlands. Complete your trail by heading south to the bushveld for the vehicle-based safaris. The first day of riding is spent at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary to enjoy the wildlife at close proximity and to help confirm the horse-rider partnerships. The following day will see riders head for the hills on the start of a 5-day circular trail for a true trailing experience. Highlights include the infamous Nyonyane Mountain, exciting river crossings, trailing through one of the world’s largest commercial forests, traversing through rural Swazi Nation Land and their friendly communities, and climbing into the uninhabited mountains of Mlilwane North with never-ending views across South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique. Riders will then begin their return home to Mlilwane’s Rest Camp along the Usushwana River on Day 6. |
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| With the constant movement of the horse beneath you, working with a second being and having the relative freedom to survey the countryside brings such richness to this experience. The horses have been carefully selected and bred for comfort and trained for easy, happy riding and include a great variety of cross-breeds with foundation stock of Arab, Warmblood, Boerperd and thoroughbred blood, and the recent addition of Percheron, Friesian, Clydesdale and Shire crosses.
The accommodation aligns closely with the Big Game Parks diversity theme. Beehive huts on Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary; Forester’s Arms Country Hotel; rondavels on Hlane Royal National Park and Mkhaya Game Reserve’s unique Stone Camp, with three nights fully supported camping, making for fun nights in Eswatini! Camping includes bell-tents, stretchers, campfire catering, pit latrines and bucket showers. Singles are limited and available at a premium. |
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| Moving between the Big Game Parks reserves and taking in the scenic areas and local communities in between gives a wonderful overview of what the Kingdom offers, providing a holistic holiday and ensuring riders visit an entire country rather than a single destination. Few horse trails in Africa (if any!) can offer such variety and the opportunity to experience authentic African wildlife, scenery and culture all in one trip. |
| The 10-day Swazi Culture & Scenery Trail is 34,500ZAR per person based on two sharing (approx. £1,800 / $2,400).
Guests must be adept riders, competent to handle horses both from the saddle and in-hand over river crossing and tricky paths. All guests must be fit for six full days in the saddle and the occasional walk on foot when necessary. For more information on this trail, including the full Itinerary, Tack & Equipment and further details on Accommodation, Catering and Important Travel Information, take a look at this info sheet. For further information on Chubeka Trails, including contacts for those who are interested in this or any other of their activities, click here. |
