This year we decided to discover more of Swaziland during our New Year's break. Our first stop was at Mabuda Farms which we love for its many trails to walk on and the peaceful quiet (interrupted occasionally by loud peacock calls).
Steve is checking out the macadamias in the orchard.
We did not stray far off the paths because of our previous encounters with ticks (which are very common in Swaziland and especially on farms) and African Tick Bite Fever. They say you are immune after getting it once and we hope this is true but we still took precautions.
Our next stop was in Ezulwini Valley where we stayed at a lodge right next to Execution Rock. The guidebook says: "The rock derives its name from the custom of a century ago, when wrong-doers accused of crimes such as witchcraft and murder were made to walk to the summit and plunge to their deaths. This venture inevitably required some assistance from the Swazi warriors on the ascent and understandably, a prod from a spear to facilitate the downward journey. Happily, this custom has been done away with!"
We heard about Mantenga Falls and wondered if there was any water flowing because of the severe drought in Swaziland and all of Southern Africa. When we found out that it still has water because of a dam upstream, we went on a hike. We rediscovered that signage is not a forte in Swaziland. One sign got us on our way but after that there were no more signs and we went in circles for awhile until we finally found the Cultural Center where the falls are located. Along the way we saw this sign:
Crocs are no joke, that's for sure and we were happy not to encounter any.
After hiking another km. or so we got to the falls. It is a beautiful scene!
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