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From Swaziland via the Scenic "Valleys' Way" Route
Travel from Mbabane through the Valley of the Kings, past the Swaziland Curio markets, the Royal Palace and The Kings Stadium, to the Sidvokodvo / Nhlangano turnoff just before Manzini. You are now on the Grand Valley Highway, which follows the course of the Assagai (War Spear) River, along some of the most unusual and picturesque landscape in Africa, over the Hlatsikulu (Big Forest) Mountains to Nhlangano (which means Meeting Place), and this is where I shall meet you and introduce you to The Mahamba Mountains, the Assegai River Gorge, the Ibis and Aloe Valleys, and the natural forest sanctuaries of the exclusive John's Walk Eco-Reserve.
From South Africa via the N2 Highway
The most comprehensive Tourist Highway in South Africa is the N2 Highway which starts in Cape Town and via the Garden Route, takes in Port Elizabeth, East London, the former Transkei, Durban , Kwa Zulu Natal and Mpumalanga.
To visit Swaziland, enter via the Mahamba Border Post, instead of through Golela / Lavumisa and via the relatively uninteresting "Big Bend Road". There is hardly a difference in distances as the table below indicates. Following the N2 from Pongola to Mahamba has the added advantage of traversing two mountain passes and several crossings of the Pongola River and traveling right alongside the Swaziland border in places.
Nhlangano is a mere 18 Km from the Mahamba border post and only 9 km from John's Walk.
The Warmbad Eco Reserve and Game Park are but 12 km from the Mahamba Border Post.
By Air
Fly to Mbabane then charter a flight to Nhlangano (light aircraft airstrip)
Fly to Johannesburg then charter a flight to Piet Retief (light aircraft airstrip)
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