In July/August 2025, working as Expedition Leader for World Challenge, I lead a group of 11 people on an expedition to eSwatini, Kruger National Park and Mozambique.
For photographs of this expedition see eSwatini, Kruger and Mozambique – July/August 2025
This expedition is arranged by World Challenge
DAY 1 – 23 JUL 25 – ARRIVAL
Arrive in Johannesburg and transit to Ezulwini Valley.
From Transit to Ezulwini Valley
Upon arrival in Johannesburg, we pass through immigration and collect our baggage. Walk into the main international arrivals hall where our driver(s) are waiting for us.
Throughout the trip, the team cook most meals for themselves. We cook on open fires.
DAY 2 – 24 JUL 25 – ORIENTATION IN EZULWINI VALLEY
Get oriented in Ezulwini Valley. Half day village tour and hike in Ezulwini Valley.
From Ezulwini Valley to Ezulwini Valley
Today we have a village tour and experience a traditional dance performance. In the afternoon, we take a 2-hour walk up Sheba’s Breast.
Sheba’s Breast Trail Description
From Lidwala Lodge walk up the stream and pass through the gate. Continue to follow the stream and pass the waterfall, then follow the ridge line keeping left along the path marked with stone cairns. After 400m pass a property on the left and reach a fork. This will be sign posted. Take the forest loop to the left. Follow the path through the forest. Continue left up the trail along the base of a rock wall, after a zig-zag section you will reach a gate at the top of the saddle. Follow the trail sign after this around the mountain top and up the ridge to the summit. Follow the same trail back down the mountain until you reach the fork in the path, this time follow the grassland route, to the left, back down. Return to Lidwala Lodge.
DAY 3 – 25 JUL 25 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – EDUCATION
Before travelling to the community initiative in the morning, we stop off at Malandela’s Complex and Swazi Candles.
From Ezulwini Valley to Initiative
This initiative contributes to SDG4 Quality Education. The organisation’s key focus is improving access to early years education and care, particularly for children affected by the HIV crisis, through the maintenance of Neighbourhood Care Points which provide these services of their communities.
Today’s activities include an orientation and introduction to the community, cultural activities and planning for the days ahead.
DAY 4 – 26 JUL 25 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – EDUCATION
Full day at the community initiative.
From Initiative to Initiative
Today’s activities include assisting construction workers with tasks to improve the buildings and grounds at the NCP and spending time with the community.
DAY 5 – 27 JUL 25 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – EDUCATION
Full day at the community initiative.
From Initiative to Initiative
Continue with yesterday’s construction activities. This afternoon, take a guided community walk.
DAY 6 – 28 JUL 25 – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE – EDUCATION
Full day at the community initiative.
From Initiative to Initiative
Today is our last full day at the community initiative. Continue with yesterday’s construction activities and spend time with the community later today.
DAY 7 – 29 JUL 25 – TRAVEL TO MLILWANE WILDLIFE SANCTURY
Leave the Community Initiative and spend the morning visiting Sibebe Rock and Ngwenya Glass Complex, before arriving in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary for free time to explore.
From Initiative to Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
DAY 8 – 30 JUL 25 – TRAVEL TO KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Leave Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary this morning and cross the border in to South Africa. Tonight we have a night safari drive in Kruger National Park.
From Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary to Kruger National Park
Our transfer collects us from our accommodation this morning and takes us to Kruger National Park. After we cross the South African border we stop at Komatipoort. This is where we shop for food for the safari stage of our trip. You have a night in the park.
DAY 9 – 31 JUL 25 – SAFARI
Morning and afternoon safari drive in Kruger National Park.
From Kruger National Park to Kruger National Park
DAY 10 – 01 AUG 25 – TRAVEL TO LUBOMBO
Leave Kruger National Park this morning and travel to Mbuluzi (via Komatipoort) to prepare for your trek.
From Kruger National Park to Lubombo
Our transfer collects us from our accommodation this morning. Travel to Komatipoort to shop for the hiking phase of our expedition, before commencing the journey to Mbuluzi to prepare for our trek. The trek is self-catered and we need to take cooking equipment and food for 4 days.
DAY 11 – 02 AUG 25 – LUBOMBO – ALOE TRAILS TREK DAY 1
Begin the trek from Mbuluzi Campsite.
From Mbuluzi Campsite to Sunset Camp
The team carry full packs on this trek. Porters carry group kit and supplies, we to carry our personal items.
During the trek, the team cook for themselves on open fires and gas stoves.
Trek Day 1 Description
The trail departs from Mbuluzi Campsite and heads along the Mbuluzi River with some steep paths towards the river valley. After 3km, taking care as we pass under the barbed wire boundary fence as we leave the Mbuluzi Game Reserve. The trail now follows the river for a few kilometre’s before making a steep ascent to the top of a small hill overlooking the gorge below, which is where we will camp.
DAY 12 – 03 AUG 25 – LUBOMBO – ALOE TRAILS TREK DAY 2
Full day of trekking.
From Sunset Camp to Siphiso Camp
Trek Day 2 Description
From Sunset Camp there is a short but steep descent back to the Mbuluzi River, and here the trail follows the river for 2 kilometres before beginning the climb out of the valley up the Malayida Trail. From here the trail descends down into the valley, and as we reach the valley floor you will arrive at the Siphiso River and Camp.
DAY 13 – 04 AUG 25 – LUBOMBO – ALOE TRAILS TREK DAY 3
Full day of trekking.
From Siphiso Camp to Mhlumeni Camp
Trek Day 3 Description
Pack up camp, and head out the same way we entered the previous day. From here the trail gradually gets steeper as we make our way to the top of the Lubombo Mountain Ridge. The trail then continues eastwards before exiting Mlawula Game Reserve and entering Mhlumeni Community Reserve. The trail slowly works its way down into the shallow Mahlabashana Valley, then heading back up and out of the valley towards the Mhlumeni Campsite.
DAY 14 – 05 AUG 25 – TRAVEL TO TOFO
Today is a travel day. Leave Mhlumeni Camp this morning, and arrive in Tofo this evening.
From Lubombo to Tofo
Our transfer collect us from our accommodation this morning for the long 12-hour drive to Tofo. After the first hour we cross the border into Mozambique.
DAY 15 – 06 AUG 25 – ORIENTATION IN TOFO
Get oriented in Tofo.
From Tofo to Tofo
Today we have an orientation in Tofo. You set up our campsite for the next few days, and go shopping to pick up supplies for our time in Tofo. We explore the market and enjoy a dip in the ocean.
DAY 16 – 07 AUG 25 – CONSERVATION INITIATIVE – MARINE LIFE
Travel to the conservation initiative in the morning and settle in.
From Tofo to Tofo
This initiative contributes to SDG14 Life Below Water. The organisation’s key focus is protecting the marine ecosystem offshore through data collection, beach clean-ups and by raising awareness about the importance of protecting the ocean with the local community.
Today’s activities include an orientation and introduction to the programmes, learning some data collection techniques and putting them into practice on a boat safari and snorkel.
DAY 17 – 08 AUG 25 – CONSERVATION INITIATIVE – MARINE LIFE
Full day at the conservation initiative.
From Tofo to Tofo
Today’s activities include further boat and snorkel surveys, a marine conservation talk, a marine miroplastics talk and beach clean-ups.
DAY 18 – 09 AUG 25 – CONSERVATION INITIATIVE – MARINE LIFE
Full day at the conservation initiative.
From Tofo to Tofo
The final day’s activities include further boat and snorkel surveys, a marine micro-plastics survey and a final summary and quiz to end off the program.
DAY 19 – 10 AUG 25 – TRAVEL TO VILANCULOS
Leave Tofo this morning and spend the afternoon exploring Vilanculos when you arrive.
From Tofo to Vilanculos
Our transfer collects us from your accommodation early this morning so we can go horse-riding on the beach when we arrive in Vilanculos.
DAY 20 – 11 AUG 25 – ACTIVITIES IN VILANCULOS
Today we take an Island Boat Trip around the Vilanculos archipeligo and have a seafood lunch on the beach.
DAY 21 – 12 AUG 25 – DEPARTURE
Today you depart home.
From Vilanculos to home.
