27 JulyCityStop 01
King Mswati III International Airport
Africa's newest international airport, and the doorway into Eswatini.
27 – 29 July
Eswatini
The Valley of Heaven
Swazi ceremony, recycled glass, 43,000-year-old mines and a granite dome older than multicellular life.
10 stops recorded
10 stops
27 JulyCultureStop 02
Ezulwini Valley
Known as the Valley of Heaven — the cultural and tourism heart of Eswatini.
27 JulyCityStop 03
Mantenga Lodge
A perfect base overlooking the valley.
28 JulyCultureStop 04
Mantenga Cultural Village
An authentic introduction to Swazi traditions.
Lesser-known fact
Traditional Swazi dance can involve movement exceeding 150 beats per minute — remarkable stamina and coordination.
28 JulyNatureStop 05
Mantenga Falls
Eswatini's largest waterfall.
28 JulyCultureStop 06
Ngwenya Glass
One of Africa's best-known glass workshops.
Unknown fact
Every product is made from 100% recycled glass, much of it discarded bottles collected across Eswatini.
28 JulyHistoryStop 07
Ngwenya Mine
Believed to be among the oldest known iron ore mines on Earth.
Deep time
Evidence suggests mining occurred here over 43,000 years ago, making it one of humanity's earliest mining sites.
28 JulyCultureStop 08
House on Fire
A whimsical arts centre resembling something from a fantasy novel — known for creativity, festivals and unusual architecture.
29 JulyWildlifeStop 09
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Eswatini's oldest protected wildlife reserve.
Walked among
- Zebra
- Wildebeest
- Warthogs
- Impala
Unique experience
One of the few parks in Africa where visitors can safely walk or cycle among game, because there are no predators.
29 JulyNatureStop 10
Hippo Trail Hike, Mlilwane
A four-mile walk on Mlilwane's Hippo Trail, looping past the hippo pool and open grassland on foot — no vehicle, no fences between us and the game.
On the trail
- Hippo pool
- Zebra
- Warthogs
- Nyala
Why it's possible
Mlilwane has no large predators, so the sanctuary allows self-guided walking trails — a rarity in Southern Africa.