Situated in Eswatini’s (Swaziland) Ezulwini Valley, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary’s Chubeka Trails has launched the Swazi Culture & Scenery Trail.

With diverse terrain, adventure and accommodation, the 10-day itinerary includes a six-day horse trail and a three-day safari, incorporating all three of Eswatini’s big game parks.

The first day of riding is spent at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, where guests are afforded the opportunity to view wildlife close up. The following day, riders head for the hills for the start of a five-day circular trail.

Highlights include Nyonyane Mountain, adventurous river crossings, trailing through one of the world’s largest commercial forests, traversing rural areas whilst experiencing the friendly communities, as well as climbing into the uninhabited mountains of Mlilwane North with views across South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique.

Riders will then return to Mlilwane’s Rest Camp along the Usushwana River on day six.

The horses have been carefully selected, bred for comfort and trained for easy riding. They include a variety of cross-breeds with foundation stock of Arab, Warmblood, Boerperd and thoroughbreds, and with the recent addition of Percheron, Friesian, Clydesdale and Shire crosses.

Accommodation includes beehive huts on Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Forester’s Arms Country Hotel, rondavels (small chalets) on Hlane Royal National Park and Mkhaya Game Reserve’s Stone Camp. On the three nights on safari, camping includes bell-tents, stretchers, campfire catering, pit latrines and bucket showers.

Guests must be adept riders, competent to handle horses both from the saddle and in-hand over river crossings and tricky paths. All guests must be fit for six full days in the saddle and the occasional walk on foot when necessary.

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.

For more information, click here.