By Phumzile Ndlovu
DULLSTROOM –The third leg of the Trialand Excursion kicked off on high note yesterday morning (25 June 2025.)
The Eswatini delegation which was led by the CEO of Eswatini Tourism Authority Vusi Dlamini ,Head of Marketing Department Chunky Dlamini and its staff personnel,seven tour operators, five media houses representatives left the country via Ngwenya Border Post just after 10am.
The delegation reached the cold town of Dullstroom at 1pm. The Eswatini delegation were met by the Mpumalanga Tourism Parks and Agency officials at the host venue which is the Dunkeld Country Equestrian Estate,where they were treated to lunch.
The delegation from Mozambique arrived shortly after 3pm and we’re also treated to lunch before settling in and checking in the different rooms in the luxurious estate.
The delegation of the three countries were then treated to a welcome dinner where different speakers took to the podium to strengthen the relationships between the three countries.
The dinner was hosted by the Head of Department of Economic Development in Mpumalanga Immy Serakalala, who welcomed the delegations and shared her experience while visiting the other two countries. She shared that Eswatini and Mozambique have become her second home. “I visited Ghana last week and although it was okay. I couldn’t not understand their native language. While when I’m in Eswatini or Mozambique I can understand what they are saying”.
She also revealed that Mpumalanga is the second most visited province in South Africa after Gauteng. She however ,noted that when it came to domestic tourism they were in the fifth position.
The Acting CEO of Mpumalanga Tourism Parks and Agency Justus Mohlala welcomed the delegations from the two counties. ” We decided to bring you to experience this hidden gem,as I’m sure you noticed it’s nicely tucked away in the Highlands of Mpumalanga. We would like you to take back what you will see in this beautiful town and package and sell to the world to bring in more tourists to our province.”
His words were echoed by Eswatini Tourism Authority CEO Vusi Dlamini who encouraged the tour operators to take in the beauty of the place and package it for tourists. ” I’m an avid golfer,I would love to see a package between the three countries that promotes golf.”
Dlamini went to share the success of the recently held MTN Bushfire Festival which brought in thousands of tourists in the country. He highlighted that the majority of tourists were from South Africa and Mozambique as well other countries .
The aim of the Trialand Excursion is to promote tourism relations between the three countries which are South Africa, Eswatini and Mozambique.
Last year in October Eswatini was the host country for the excursion, which involves visiting different places that promote the beauty of that country.
Eswatini was the first to host the Trialand Excursion in October last year. The places that were visited included Mantenga Cultural Village,Hlane Game Reserve, Botanical Gardens, Malkerns and many more.
Mozambique hosted the second leg of the tour in March this year. The site attractions included Matola Monument Park, and Island visit.
Today marks day two of the Mpumalanga Excursion ,which will include various activities inside the luxurious wine estate. It will include wine tasting,horse riding and quad biking.
