BY TANDZILE DLAMINI
MBABANE — Tourism and Environmental Affairs Minister Jane Mkhonta-Simelane has directed the Eswatini National Trust Commission to transform caves across the country into structured ecotourism sites, as government intensifies efforts to expand nature based tourism.
The directive was made on 6 May 2026 during the official launch of the Khabane Cave Explorer Walk, where the Minister said caves must be developed and integrated into Eswatini’s growing ecotourism offerings.
She highlighted caves in different parts of the country, including Lunkuntfu, kaPhunga and Lavumisa. She said Lunkuntfu is an area that is close to Her Majesty Indlovukazi’s heart and should be prioritised for development as part of efforts to grow ecotourism across Eswatini.
“We want every cave in this country to be transformed and developed to form part of ecotourism,” said Mkhonta Simelane.
The Minister said ecotourism is already proving to be one of the strongest attractions for visitors, pointing to recent tourism performance data showing high demand for nature based experiences.
According to the 2026 Easter tourism performance report, game and nature reserves recorded the highest accommodation occupancy at 57%, leading all other categories. The report attributes this to rising interest in wildlife, outdoor activities, adventure tourism and natural experiences, supported by strong regional travel from South Africa and Mozambique.
Despite an overall decline in occupancy compared to 2025, the report shows that ecotourism remains a key driver of visitor demand, particularly in areas such as the Ezulwini Valley, which combines natural and cultural attractions.
The Minister further expressed confidence that the sector’s growth will be sustained, citing the role of tourism ambassador HRH Princess Sakhizwe in promoting the country’s image.
She also noted that visitors continue to be drawn to Eswatini’s unique wildlife experiences, including opportunities to view the Big Five within the country’s reserves.
“We believe this transformation will succeed because of the strong support we have, including our brand ambassador HRH Princess Sakhizwe,” she said.
The planned cave developments are expected to expand adventure tourism offerings, strengthen conservation efforts and boost rural economic participation through tourism related activities.
#EswatiniTourism #Ecotourism #KhabaneCaveWalk #NatureTourism #SustainableTourism #TourismDevelopment #VisitEswatini #CulturalHeritage
