Mantenga Nature Reserve

Mantenga Nature Reserve is nature park in the Ezulwini Valley of Eswatini that includes a replica 19th-century Swazi village.

Understand

The reserve protects a woodland area surrounding the Lushushwane River. Near the entrance the replica Swazi village, which after paying a fee you can either tour on your own or with a guide. It's all quite touristy – no locals live here. On the nature side, the star attraction is the picturesque Mantenga Falls, which you can easily walk to. There's not a ton of wildlife, but there is some – you'll at least see a lot of vervet monkeys asking for food donations.

Get in

It's an easy 20-minute drive from Mbabane.

See

• Swazi cultural village – a replica 19th-century Swazi village near the entrance to the reserve
• Sibhaca dance – performed twice daily at the cultural village
• Mantenga Falls – Swaziland’s largest waterfall by volume

Eat

There is food around (can't let the tourists go hungry!) including the Mantenga Fall Cafe which has a pleasant outdoor seating area with a mountain view.

Sleep

There is a lodge within the reserve near the waterfall.