When: Anytime but booking essential

Length of Stay: One day, or one night and two days, or longer stays can be arranged for groups that want to take part in the community

Fee charged (2007): R480.00 Per person. Contact the host for a final price quote for your tour. (At the bottom of this page).

Background Info:
Liphupho Lami Holiday Camp is situated in the hills of Swaziland on the Community Farm of Kaphunga, about 65 kms from the nearest town, Manzini. The 4000 acres of farmland belong to the local community and provide food for local consumption and surplus for sale at the national markets.

I started running this project several years ago and a lot of changes have taken place place but only for the better - that I can sincerely say! For example, our people are still happy about visitors and the visitors always get surprised with how our people welcome them, our peoples' friendliness and hospitality (not just for the money) and visitors can walk out without being hassled.

Donations: Visitors do not have to have things to give but if they do have then its strongly advised to do it through the guide.

The Liphupho Lami (meaning "My Dream") not only gives tourists a taste of rural Swazi life but also provides a source of income for the community. This income helps families to remain self sufficient without family members having to migrate to town to find work. At the left you see Mr. Mbonane-Wego. We visit his family and he looks after the place he is standing beside, where we sleep on overnight stays. Through a close working relationship and constant dialogue, the community has given approval to Liphupho Lami to operate in Kaphunga. We work hand in hand to make the Liphupho Lami

There are a variety of ways through which the community benefits financially from this project, such as…

• Rent for the traditional housing provides a regular source of income for the farm
• Employment for community members
  • there is a guardian for the property
  • a local guide assigned to do hiking trips
  • cleaning lady / laundry
  • cooking of traditional food.
• We work to encourage the formation of complementary businesses such as:
  • locally brewed beer
  • performing traditional dancing produced a group at the school
  • selling local craftwork produced by the community

In Addition...

• The kids at the local school have an opportunity to meet their guests
• Then they can learn about where the guests come from and practice some English (Visitors have an opportunity to teach at the school for 30 mins)
• Tourists may donate anything at will such as; pens, clothing, books, money etc. (Donations must be arranged via the guide).
• The families that we visit receive payment in a number of ways (e.g. transport, favors, goods, market produce or money).
• We work to maintain the natural beauty of the Kaphunga area and are committed to environmental sustainability - all housing is made from traditional materials, water is used sparingly and toilet facilities comply with environmental standards.

Logistics:
If people come in their own car, then they can use it. The real Swazi style is to get on the public transport. That gives a very good insight on how the people live and get around and probably it is the best chance to interact with the people. We used to use a bus and we put lots of stickers on it, which visitors brought from everywhere. The bus is broken down now but you can still bring the stickers, and the kids who play on it will appreciate it.

Logistics Options:
You can stay at "Myxo's Backpackers," a sort of down-home lodging and eating place located in a farm house 6kms outside Manzini. Backpackers are particularly welcome, but most of the folks in the area are locals, so if you want to meet local people and see what Swazi nightlife is all about, check this out. This option is described in more detail here.

Another option is to sleep in traditional huts (mattresses are provided for softies). Enjoy Swazi dinners prepared by Winile, a chick from the village. For hikers I have now started some hiking trails to the Maloltja Nature Reserve (the Alps Of Swaziland). We camp there overnight or also go for a day trip.

THINGS TO DO

Option #1: A Day Trip

• In Manzini, we pick you up at 7.30am.
• Visit the Manzini people’s market.
• Craft and fresh vegetable shopping.
• Check the traditional medicine stall for local cures for all ailments.
• Leave town and head for rural village of Kaphunga, learn about Swazi family life and culture. Get a taste of some Swazi customs and traditional beliefs.
• Take an easy walk towards the "God’s window" of Kaphunga.
• Chill out with a bit of lizard spotting on the rocks on your guided walk.
• Transport to the village. Visit a local homestead and chat with the family members.

Option #2: An Overnight Trip

As per day trip but also…

• Sleep in traditional huts on grass mats (mattresses are available for softies!)
• Meet and befriend the villagers.
• Try your hand at cattle dipping.
• Visit the local school.
• Hike through the most scenic country side in Swaziland
• Picnic on a mountain top.
• Swazi traditional food is cooked and clean boiled water is available.

Option #3: You Tell Us!

Just that.  You suggest how long you'd like to stay and what you'd like to do, and we'll see what we can arrange...