MHLUMENI-GOBA TRAIL

RUSSEL WASSERFALL
The newly established Mhlumeni-Goba Transboundary Trail invites adventurers to explore the Lubombo Mountains. At 24 kilometres, the circular trail looks like a short hop on a map, but the undulation of the terrain means it’s a two-day journey even for experienced hikers.
As part of the Lubombo Trans-frontier Conservation Area (TFCA), the trail weaves through a tapestry of communal and wilderness landscapes, with surprises around every bend. From designated border crossings to panoramic 360° views, the landscape unfolds to reveal cascading waterfalls, ancient cycads, and mysterious caves. Hikers can choose to start their adventure from either the Mhlumeni Tented Bush Camp in Eswatini or the Goba Cliff Camp in Mozambique.

Image by Nick Turner
A hiker pauses to focus his binoculars on an endemic bird species while traversing a challenging hiking trail in the Lubombo mountains
Overnight camps accommodate 16 guests and boast stunning vistas along with basic self-catering facilities and shared ablution blocks. The communities of Goba and Mhlumeni serve as the trail's custodians, ensuring that the benefits of this shared venture flow directly back to them. Additional services such as local porters, knowledgeable guides, and traditional home-cooked meals are readily available.
Mhlumeni itself is perched on a gently undulating plateau, overlooking the dramatic Mhlabashana Gorge and bordered by the pristine Mlawula Nature Reserve. This area is not just a feast for the eyes it is a precious geological resource. The rocks beneath hikers’ feet are among the oldest in the world. Some, known as the Swaziland Supergroup, were laid down as ocean sediment over 3.5 billion years ago.


Some hard, but not impossible walking is rewarded with views that are quite exceptional in the Lubombo Mountains

The rich vegetation of the mountains is also home to rare cycads, a treat for plant lovers.
Image by Carrie Hampton
Views across the mountains of Eswatini are nothing short of spectacular, with the nearby Mlawula Reserve and Hlane National Park stretching into the distance. Guests can partake in nature and cultural walks led by trained community guides, learning about the local flora and the medicinal uses of plants from a traditional healer, or Sangoma.


Retired environmental education ranger Veli Mkhonto, gazes out over the magnificent view afforded by his perch high in the Lubombo mountains of Eswatini.

At the Ebutsini Cultural Village on the eSwatini end of the trail, visitors can enjoy the rhythm of Africa with a traditional Swati dance show. An immersive stay can be booked in traditional thatched beehive huts with tours and talks about the local culture by centre manager Thulisile Precious Nkosi and her team.
Retired environmental education ranger Veli Mkhonto, gazes out over the magnificent view afforded by his perch high in the Lubombo mountains of Eswatini.

The Mhlumeni camp is not just a place to rest; it is a gateway to the rich cultural and natural heritage of the region. It fosters a unique connection between the communities of Mhlumeni and Goba, of Eswatini and Mozambique respectively, highlighting the importance of sustainable tourism. Developing products such as mountain bike trails, 4x4 routes, river rafting, canoeing and hiking will also bring adventure tourism revenue into the region an invitation to the world to connect with nature, culture, and the spirit of Southern Africa.


Ebutsini cultural village provides accommodation in traditional beehive huts whose interiors have been modernised to suite tourist tastes. While there, guests can enjoy various joyous expressions of Swati culture.
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