Hiking with Vaya Trails

Eswatini’s landscapes are as diverse as they are beautiful. From the mountainous highveld grasslands to the lowveld African bush, the country’s topography and ecology offer a wide range of experiences. The northern highveld is dominated by the ancient Makhonjwa Mountain Range, some of the oldest mountains in the world. A little further south lies the Sibebe monolith, home to the incredible Sibebe Rock – a large granite pluton or half dome exposed and rising 500m from the ground below. Towards the east, the Lubombo Plateau stands as a biodiversity hotspot, known for its profusion of tree and bird species.

Just north of Mbabane, Eswatini’s capital, lies Sibebe, a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Covering 16,500-hectares, this vast granite monolith is home to a large exposed pluton, the infamous Sibebe Rock. Vaya Trails offers several routes to the summit, from a tough steep climb up the face to a more varied path combining steep rock climbs with gentle grassy trails… making the journey as incredible as the destination. At the top are sweeping views of rolling hills dotted with ancient boulders, crystal clear springs, hidden caves and intriguing tunnels, and open meadows blanketed with wildflowers – a true adventure at every turn.

The Gap, or eSicancweni, as the locals call it, is a breathtaking natural wonder is where the powerful Komati River forces its way through a narrow black rock chasm, just a few meters wide. The sight of the mighty river squeezing through this dramatic gorge is simply unforgettable.