We would have liked to have stayed longer in this great reserve. Simply a great spot in the middle of beautiful wildlife and a little away from the world where you can always be reached. We strolled through the market in Manzini, which supplies the people there with everything they need in everyday life: fresh fruit and vegetables, including XXL bags for this, fabrics, herbs for and against all ailments, but for us tourists also small handmade ones Souvenirs. We then continued to our next accommodation, where we took a short walk at sunset. In the evening we tried out the pool there and enjoyed the Savanna around the campfire.

Today we planned a bushwalk, about two hours in the national park to get to know everything about the flora and fauna and to get some real exercise again after x kilometers in the bus. And the effort and effort were rewarded with a beautiful view.

We then had an introduction to the traditions of the local tribe, customs and rituals, in which Tine had to dance as a Swazi girl. But then came our highlight of the day, the sunset stalk, for which we have no words. If you type kitsch, cliché and Africa into Google, you will definitely get similar image results.

Perfect light, perfect models. From the kingfisher to the mamba, of course elephants and impalas and then we found three lions sleeping on the side of the path. The sundowner was being drunk three meters away... something surreal. All in all, a long day, but there was time for the Milky Way again before we ran to the hut with a kerosene lamp

All right, out of South Africa - and into the small kingdom of eSwatini.

Here we stayed at Ndlovu Camp, right next to a waterhole with a fabulous view of the animals quenching their thirst, cooling off in the water or wallowing in the mud next door. There is no internet here and no electricity either. So you have to deal with two large kerosene lamps per hut. Showering and getting ready for bed in the evening by candlelight, it's hard to believe it worked. But going to bed was far from being an option. It was a starry night and the Milky Way was beautiful to see. So Flo spent half the night out with his camera to capture these wonderful impressions. The highlight: a small shooting star that fell from the Milky Way - and Flo was even able to capture it in a photo, what luck. We have now gotten used to the fact that there are always animals sneaking around on the premises of our accommodation. Tonight Nyalas accompanied us to our cottage

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.

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!