After checking out the available activities at Mlilwane, including guided horse riding tours, mountain biking trails, and guided land rover tours, we settled on a quiet, easy hike to the area where the hippos hang out. We were assured by the camp staff that the…Read More

After checking out the available activities at Mlilwane, including guided horse riding tours, mountain biking trails, and guided land rover tours, we settled on a quiet, easy hike to the area where the hippos hang out. We were assured by the camp staff that the trail was well marked, mostly level, and would take just over an hour.

Choosing a walking stick from the barrel at the Reception Building made us feel like real hikers. Map in hand and cameras ready, we set out on our short trek. We hiked through of open grasslands leading up to the Nyonyane Mountains and in front of us was an exposed granite peak known as the Execution Rock. Along the way, we saw impalas and zebras that only briefly acknowledged our presence before returning to grazing.

Following the marked path, we make our way through the grasslands and into a swamp area where we thought the hippos would be. We continued on an uphill path, through a more forested area. Three young people we had met in camp who were also on the same trail soon joined us. We came to a clearing where a road that had been freshly cut and suddenly the trail ended. We walked up and down the dirt road looking for the next marker- a clue which way to go- but found none. Our new friends made the comment- "we only been with you guys for 5 minutes and we’re already lost". Were we lost is Swaziland?

After much deliberation and searching, we finally found what looked like a path. It took us up higher and higher toward Execution Rock. Our level trail was gone. We traversed ravines deep enough to look down on full-grown trees, through streams and across what I swear looked like quicksand. The walking sticks came in handy, making our way down a steep trail, or forming a chain between us to get through muddy areas.

Then we saw it. A TRAIL MARKER. What a relief. It led us through a burned section of trees, probably damaged by lightening strikes and then on to a large lake. Here is where the hippos were. On an island in the center of the lake was a huge crocodile sunning itself. We were quite happy to just observe these potentially dangerous animals from a high bluff above the lake.

The only other wildlife we crossed paths with was a family of warthogs that we had to chase off the path so we could pass. Once we found the lake, we knew we were close to the camp and almost four hours after we had left, we returned to our starting point.

We were exhausted but exhilarated and didn’t want to say goodbye to our new friends and hiking companions. We all ended up at Hippo Haunt Restaurant for a couple of drinks and a lot of good conversation.

This review is about the love and hope that the RMC of Illinois missionary students gave to the children and orphans of the Bulembu town at the Valley of Hope and the surrounding area in Swaziland.The faces, the smiles, the love, the tenderness, the need,…Read More

This review is about the love and hope that the RMC of Illinois missionary students gave to the children and orphans of the Bulembu town at the Valley of Hope and the surrounding area in Swaziland.

The faces, the smiles, the love, the tenderness, the need, and the hope. Hope is the purpose of this project. Once a private mining town, now given to Empower Africa and the organization of the Valley of Hope, they are working to restore an area torn apart by AIDS. It is also a beautiful part of the continent, full of lush mountains, and woods.

My son was one of the students, his stories were unbelievable about some of these children. But they are resilient and resourceful. The children in the village are even more needy...they have nothing. My son said he saw some children using their own shoes to pretend that they were toy cars to play with. Perhaps in their own way they have a lot and know how to make the best of every situation.

Look at the faces and smiles...if you see one thing, you will see HOPE.    Close

Bulembu, Swaziland in Africa is an unusual situation besides the fact that it was once a prosperous old mining town. It now houses people who are being aided and helped to re-populate and fight the terrible odds of becoming extinct in the next quarter of…Read More

Bulembu, Swaziland in Africa is an unusual situation besides the fact that it was once a prosperous old mining town. It now houses people who are being aided and helped to re-populate and fight the terrible odds of becoming extinct in the next quarter of a century. It is the hope of many to bring it back as a Town of Orphans. Families and foster parents will be trained to raise these orphans in a Godly manner so they can help stop the spread of AIDS. One, or several of the orphans will be placed with a foster home. It's isolation aids in that effort.

The students from RMC Discipleship School in Illinois have also participated in that effort by traveling and staying in Bulembu for a period of time. These photos in this journal were taken by these students, my son being one of them. They painted walls and floors and outsides of buildings that needed work, they gave love and played with the many orphans, they fed the babies in the ABC House, they gave out food and clothing to the older people in the community and surrounding communities. They experienced a need so great that it is overwhelming.

(http://www.empower-africa.org/bulembu.html)

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Actually, the photos in this review speak "a thousand words". The piercing dark eyes of these children look at you into the very depth of your soul. These are some of the many children of Bulembu. Actually, the children and grandparents are the majority of…Read More

Actually, the photos in this review speak "a thousand words". The piercing dark eyes of these children look at you into the very depth of your soul. These are some of the many children of Bulembu. Actually, the children and grandparents are the majority of the population in this community as well as many other communities in Africa who have been effected by the wide spread of HIV/AIDS.

These special personal photos were taken by the students of the RMC Discipleship School from Illinois on their mission trip to Bulembu, Swaziland, Africa. I hope they do not mind my sharing them with you. They are wonderful photographs that merit viewing by the traveling people on IgoUgo.com. My son is one of those students.

Somehow, we sometimes get caught up in our travels for pure pleasure sake, but when you view these photos you realize that parts of Africa need to be taken into consideration as a place we need to give to and not just take from. It's hard to believe that such a beautiful country could be so full of poverty and disease and the effects on the innocent children. That's what these students did, and they will never forget those faces. The need, the hurt, the hunger for love and physical want.

How can I say more.   Close

The Kingdom of Swaziland is a very traditional country. My last journey through Swaziland took me from the northern border of South Africa through Mbabane and then west back into South Africa. Unfortunately for me my fuel pump was leaking from damage sustained the week…Read More

The Kingdom of Swaziland is a very traditional country. My last journey through Swaziland took me from the northern border of South Africa through Mbabane and then west back into South Africa. Unfortunately for me my fuel pump was leaking from damage sustained the week before in Mozambique. I had to pull over constantly to attempt to patch the fuel leak. I wasn't able to find any auto parts store so my whole journey was slightly stressful.

There is great shopping along the R570 and you can buy beautiful hand carved rock art from the many vendors along the side of the road (they will also trade clothing for their work). Swaziland's landscape consists of low mountains dotted with trees and villages, and there are a few national parks with an array of wildlife. The daily costs in Swaziland staying in campgrounds or cheap hotels and eating local foods will run $8-$10.00 per day.    Close

A country is not a country without its people, especially their children. The Swazi people are handsome and warm and friendly. Many are diligent to fight the odds against them. See that strength and power in these photographs taken by the missionary students who worked…Read More

A country is not a country without its people, especially their children. The Swazi people are handsome and warm and friendly. Many are diligent to fight the odds against them. See that strength and power in these photographs taken by the missionary students who worked and laughed with them. In spite of their deep physical and emotional scars from abuse, negligence and abandonment these children strive to overcome with the love and care given to them, hopefully they will overcome the destruction of their country from HIV/AIDS.

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The RMC student missionaries spent much time with the ABC House Orphanage in the Valley of Hope. All the photos in this journal and reviews were taken by these students. As far as the ABC House of Bulembu, Swaziland it was part of their travels.…Read More

The RMC student missionaries spent much time with the ABC House Orphanage in the Valley of Hope. All the photos in this journal and reviews were taken by these students.

As far as the ABC House of Bulembu, Swaziland it was part of their travels. Below is a link to their website listed.

http://www.swazivalleyofhope.org/abc.html

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Northwestern Swaziland is probably the prettiest in the whole country, the mountains and the rainfall make it much more lush. It is a hikers and backpacker's paradise. The hill country makes for a nice walk. Visit this site for some translations of English into Swazi.…Read More

Northwestern Swaziland is probably the prettiest in the whole country, the mountains and the rainfall make it much more lush. It is a hikers and backpacker's paradise. The hill country makes for a nice walk. Visit this site for some translations of English into Swazi.

*http://www.mintour.gov.sz/royalexperience/

The photos in this review were taken by the RMC missionary students as they served among the Swazi people. Enjoy!!!


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I was not familiar with the country of Swaziland until my son called one day to say he was going there on a missionary trip with his school. About twelve fellow students would comprise the group, plus an advisor. Below is a link to a description…Read More

I was not familiar with the country of Swaziland until my son called one day to say he was going there on a missionary trip with his school. About twelve fellow students would comprise the group, plus an advisor. Below is a link to a description of the Valley of Hope in the town of Bulembu, Swaziland written by the directors and Christian TODAY magazine. All the photos in this journal and review were taken by the students.

http://www.todaymagazine.co.za/main.php?page=archive&articleid=146



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I recommend the candlelight dinner with personal service at your table, being either on a group or a private holiday. A lady, the chief I presume, will welcome you and tell you you can begin first to eat whatever menu on the list, in whatever…Read More

I recommend the candlelight dinner with personal service at your table, being either on a group or a private holiday. A lady, the chief I presume, will welcome you and tell you you can begin first to eat whatever menu on the list, in whatever order and even ask later for an earlier menu again... Anyhow I guarantee you will stop after seven courses (as a general rule). And similar is the next morning's breakfast: a huge choice of bread, cakes, cornflakes, jam, fruit, juices, etc. As we were on an organized trip, we don't know the prices. Visit the site and just ask. Foresters Arms Hotel   Close