The kingdom of Eswatini – formerly known as Swaziland – is one of Southern Africa’s best kept secrets. It’s not a big area on the map, but within the kingdom’s borders you’ll discover tall misty mountains, a vibrant culture rich with history and traditions and low-lying game reserves teeming with wildlife. Eswatini really is the perfect destination if you want an active holiday with emphasis on exploring nature and experiencing lots of different activities.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hiking in rolling hills
- Learning about culture and history by visiting communities with a local guide
- Experiencing the incredible animal diversity (perfect for photographers)
PICK YOUR ADVENTURE
The best of eswatini & kruger
The beautiful kingdom
The lubombo Explorer
The royal rhino experience
ESWATINI
In August 2020 Roots & Journeys acquired the Eswatini based company, Dust & Boots. For seven years they have been specialising in exclusive hiking-based tours in the kingdom of Eswatini, as well as into South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
We are excited to share these on-foot adventures in Eswatini and Kruger National Park with you. The original company’s founder, Marie Dahl, who lives permanently in Eswatini, will be your guide and itinerary manager. She is a biologist (MSc) and FGASA trained guide who is passionate about conservation, adventure and wildlife.
“There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne — bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.”
Karen Blixen
ADVENTURES
By slowing down the pace we believe you will take in all the little details that will create lifelong memories of your trip to the kingdom. Hiking is a wonderful way to do this and we combine day hikes with activities such as game drives, visits to communities and markets. Our itineraries are packed with activities that you simply won’t experience elsewhere.
Our group sizes are small (a maximum of eight guests) and we adjust pace and trails according to the group’s abilities. Anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can join in – no hiking experience required!
LOCATIONS
Covering just 17,364 sq. km, Eswatini is one of the smallest countries in Africa, completely landlocked by South Africa and Mozambique.
The topography of this beautiful country is diverse with mountains that run from north to south in the western part of the country, and lowveld in the east. The climate varies from tropical in the lowveld to near temperate in the highveld.
ESWATINI
Eswatini is the last absolute monarchy in Africa and is ruled by King Mswati III along with his mother, the Ndlovokati (the great matriarch) and the prime minister. In April 2018, on the fiftieth anniversary of independence from colonial powers, King Mswati III proclaimed the new official name for the kingdom. The country formerly known as Swaziland is now called the Kingdom of Eswatini. Eswatini is one of the SiSwati (national language) words for the country and literally means: land of the emaSwati (the Swazi people).
