In February, the Eswatini Tourism Authority (ETA) hosted their first German writers this year, and the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area (LTFCA) was definitely the best place for their two and a half day visit.
The LFTCA is a partnership between the Kingdom of Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa, facilitated by Boundless Southern Africa.
For the ETA, experiencing a new love for conservation and community tourism came at the perfect time, Valentine’s Day. Mhlumeni Bush Camp in Siteki is not too far from Mbabane – in Eswatini, one can navigate three of the four geographic regions in two hours. The whole meet and greet was facilitated by Nomsa Mabila, who is the Technical Officer at the Eco Lubombo Program and ETA Board Chairperson. There was also ETA Chief Executive Officer Linda Nxumalo and Head of Marketing Siboniso Madlopha. As soon as they reached the bush camp, an army of attendants welcomed them; apparently they hear all movements outside because of the intense serenity at the place. Handshakes, introductions and lots of shrubs are the order of the day. They are shown a braai area with lovely wooden furniture, and who can forget the gently, fresh wind all around. The scenery is out of this world. From where they are seated, they see kilometres of bush, which is Mlawula Nature Reserve and even the mill at Simunye. Nomsa informs them that they do not have electricity for the purpose of maintaining the authentic bush feel. Not to fret, she reassures them that they will soon get it for charging phones, bar fridges and the main kitchen. They do, however, have gas stoves and fridges.
As they wait for the writers, they are served the sweetest of honey combs, sourced from a community project. They also take a short tour of the place and see one of four tents with neat bedding on the four beds, clean towels and a lovely wooden floor. The towels on the beds are shaped like swans and hearts, the work of Thobile Mdluli’s hands. Thobile is a fresh graduate from the South African College of Tourism, courtesy of Mhlumeni Bush Camp. They also tour the showers, and everything is squeaky clean, clearly distanced from inner city noise and pollution. The six campsites are revolutionary, each furnished with a braai stand and benches for relaxing. One in particular has rare, yellow fruit scattered all around. Apparently, they are called Emabambane and are very edible and sweet.
As soon as they sit down for a chat with the Mhlumeni Community Trust Chairperson, Florence Matsenjwa, she tells them that the inspiration behind establishing the camp was poverty, unemployment and poaching. She says the clearing and building commenced in 2015, and two years later it started operating. They have had to educate the youth about tourism and capacitate residents with skills to run the camp and contribute towards it. The mission now is to build a high school and health care centre from donations and proceeds from camp. Currently, a group of women supply the camp with chickens and eggs, a local farmer supplies veggies, other women make handicraft sold as souvenirs and some perform traditional dances for tourists. Finally, the guests arrive in the company of Boundless Southern Africa’s Seth Maphalala and Marketing Manager Roland Vorwerk, and tour guide Lucky Mavuso of Lucky’s Tours. Hello’s are exchanged with writers Christian Selz from dpa Themendienst, freelance writer Jutta Lemcke, Anne Waak from Welt/Welt am Sonntag, Sven Otto Lager from Die Welt and FOCUS Magazine Editor Margot Zeslawski.
Through hard work and partnerships, the camp started with mapping out the area and discovered it was rich in waterfalls, caves, grazing land and hiking trails, making it all the more attractive. Nomsa explains how lots of funds from donors has gone into training, and not equipment because they wanted the locals to understand and appreciate the project thoroughly.
Clearly the tripartite between Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa has been fruitful, thanks to Boundless Southern Africa. As Nomsa continues with her address, a lizard (a type no one had ever seen before) majestically scales a nearby wall, much to the guests’ excitement. That is the real bush experience. She finds out that the writers crossed the Mbuluzi River, and asks if they spotted any crocodiles, Sven denies their presence. And that is when she exclaims: “If you don’t see a crocodile, it will definitely see you”. Nomsa explains that excursions are easily organised with their partner All Out Africa, a local adventure tourism operator. Saying goodbye to their new-found friends is not easy, especially for Lucky who earlier decided to give Sven the Swati name Nhlanhla (so they became each other’s namesake). Remember that Mhlumeni was visited and later recommended by Lonely Planet, how amazing is that? It is deemed suitable for families, cyclists, youthful travellers and people who love organic food. By now, you must want to see it yourself. Why wouldn’t you want to see a community at work and changing their own lives?
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