Kingdom of eSwanti - formerly known as Swaziland

The African pride emerges. "And with what?" Nicole Jopp would say now: "With justice!"

Many African cities are currently returning to their original African names. Just like Durban now writes eThekwini again, Swaziland is also returning to its roots and calling itself eSwanti again.

As much as I would have liked to spend some more time in the Drakensberg and the really cool Amphibackpackers, the next adventure and the next kingdom are already calling us: Swaziland! The drive turns out to be a reeeeaaaally long adventure. We set off extra early, knowing that we have to be at the gate of the national park before sundown (which is already 6pm here). Our accommodation, the Sondzela Backpackers, is located in the middle of a national park. After the border, the road turns into a red, pothole-riddled dirt road. Oh my God! We need what feels like eternity to reach the Mlilwane Game Resort, only to realize that we are just on the footpath and need to go to the main gate entrance. Another 15 minutes drive and the sun is already very low. We end up on a dirt road that doesn't deserve its name. Honestly - I've never experienced anything like this before. We have to drive over gravel hills and we are both sure that we will hit the ground and get stuck. Then there are gorges in the longitudinal direction and I wonder how Denja manages to drive through them? A mystery. We are so under time pressure that I unfortunately can't take any photos. Finally, we arrive at the gate, the sun is still clearly visible - and the damn barrier is closed!!! The moron at the gate "generously" lets us through the night gate and explains to us in great detail to follow the signs. Oh, a piece of cake for kamikaze drivers like us ;-)!!!

Swaziland itself presents itself as a gentler mountain landscape. Alsoooo beautiful, but less rugged and less challenging. Our hostel is beautifully nestled in nature, right in the middle of the game resort. Antelopes graze peacefully in the meadow behind the house and the cheeky monkeys wake us up in the morning by playing on the roof. How awesome is that?

We hike along the Hippo trail and gradually our legs get used to the strain. I'm sad that we can't hike in Kruger. Damn it.

But instead of hippos, we mostly spot crocodiles. Whoa!

They're a bit creepy when they're so close.

We admire the different view and enjoy nature. Antelopes, wild boars, buffalos, and zebras. Soooo beautiful in their natural habitat!

🐞

We're eagerly looking out for the hippos. But instead of hippos, I see a crocodile swimming towards us. A sharp scream of horror! Not even 5 meters away, two fat lazy crocodiles are lying in the sun on the bank and Denja almost walks into them.

Good thing the sign warns about it. 😂

At the Hippo Haunt, we take a break and dry our now sweat-soaked t-shirts while enjoying a nice cold drink and a delicious piece of meat from the braai. Yummy! Africans know how to meat!

Arriving at the hostel, we plunge into the ice-cold pool. Wonderful!