Lubombo Mountains

The Lubombo range runs the length of Eswatini's eastern edge and on into Mozambique and South Africa, a ridge of basalt laid down by ancient volcanic flows, steep on its western face where it rises out of the lowveld and flat on top where the plateau carries villages and farmland. The Great Usutu cuts through it in a gorge. Several reserves protect its western slope and the ridge is a biodiversity hotspot.

What you actually see

• The western face - the steep escarpment rising out of the lowveld.
• The flat top - the plateau carrying villages and farmland.
• The Usutu gorge - where the river cuts right through the range.
• The basalt - the ancient volcanic rock the whole ridge is made of.

When to go

May to September is the dry winter, cooler and clearer. Summer is hot and humid on both sides. Mist covers the plateau at times.

Honest expectations

There is no single viewpoint or trail and the range is covered piecemeal through the reserves and roads. Access to much of the plateau crosses community land. Roads climbing the escarpment are rough in places.

Nearby

Siteki is on the plateau, and Mlawula is on the western slope.