Shewula Mountain Camp

Shewula Mountain Camp

Simunye L301 Shewula, Hlane Royal National Park Eswatini (Swaziland)
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Mr Pushba, local craftsman.
Dining (4)
Shewula Mountain Camp
Room & Suite (2)

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About

#1 of 2 lodges in Hlane Royal National Park
4.6 of 5 bubbles
Location
3.9 of 5 bubbles
Rooms
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Value
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Cleanliness
4.4 of 5 bubbles
Service
4.2 of 5 bubbles
Sleep Quality
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HOTEL STYLE
Budget
Charming
Property amenities
Free parking
Restaurant

Location

Simunye L301 Shewula, Hlane Royal National Park Eswatini (Swaziland)
Getting there
King Mswati III Airport
38.3 km•
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Maputo Intl Airport
59.7 km•
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Traveller rating
  • 25
  • 13
  • 3
  • 1
  • 2
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Detailed Reviews
rhuggs wrote a review Feb 2020
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We had a wonderful time at Shewula, including taking our time traveling there, stopping to talk and enjoy the scenery on the long dirt road. The traditional meal was our favorite of the entire trip. The view is STUNNING, the accomodations are comfortable. Absolute highlight was doing a village tour that felt sincere and casual and respectful - not to mention fun and hilarioius. Love knowing the intent of this place is to support the entire community
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Date of stay: February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StephenCopenhagen wrote a review Jan 2015
Copenhagen, Denmark
5.0 of 5 bubbles
I read an article about Shewula in the New York Times and it seemed to be just the sort of place that I prefer if given a choice – community based and way off the grid. They have a site but it was difficult to get a hold of them so I used Swazi Trails in Manzini to make my reservation and they were wonderful. Elaine at their office was infinitely patient with me as I bobbed and weaved on my reservation. End of plug.
While Shewula was willing to pick me up in Mbabane as I was driving a rental that I had to drop off, the service was fairly expensive. Luckily the new airport KM3, only an hour from the camp, was open and as Avis had a counter there I could make the drop off there. I was met there by two representatives from the camp, December and the cook whose name I have unfortunately forgotten. Apologies. We made the drive stopping off for provisions in Simunye which is the closest big town.
The camp sits on a bluff overlooking valleys and mountains and is about a half hour drive on dirt roads from the main highway. December was driving a four wheel but if you are driving yourself an ordinary car could be used providing there is no rain. The camp has been functioning for almost 20 years and consists of six rondavels, a meeting room and communal kitchen. The rondavels are without electricity and a Coleman lamp is used for light at night. Bring a flashlight. There is hot running water and an outdoor shower. I was the lone occupant of the camp for the duration of my stay. After unpacking I took a walk around the camp and just enjoyed gazing out over the scenery. The tranquility was broken by two boys and their dog hiking the 1,000 meters or so up from the valley floor carrying firewood to their home outside the camp. Dinner was served – chicken and a wonderful spinach with peanut butter. Sounded strange to me but it was delicious. After dinner December and the cook departed and I was left alone. A nightwatchman appeared in the course of the evening but after that – stars and silence. The camp caters to individuals and also groups and has been visited by the Swazi Queen.
The next morning after a full breakfast December and I drove off to explore Shewula township which consists of several villages and covers a huge area. Our first stop was at a community center for less fortunate children. The leader of the center explained in detail how the village cares for the children and afterwards we went to the handicrafts center. We continued on stopping for a brief visit to his home and then met a sangoma – traditional healer/diviner – and delivered a huge kettle that was being loaned to him for an engagement party in his village. At the village the sangoma donned his traditional garb and – for a small additional fee – gave me a reading and explained how he became a sangoma and his function in the community. December acted as my translator. Afterwards we returned to the camp and went on a cultural walk around the camp looking at plants, hearing a bit of history and then going to...a bar. The bar was a rondavel where the owner had brewed up some sorghum beer and I sat around chatting with 10-12 men and women about life in general. This wasn't a set up for me – just some villagers welcoming a stranger in their midst and sharing a drink. A very inspiring experience.
Then, back to the camp and, while I was eating dinner, I heard some drumming and suddenly a group of youths appeared and performed some dances and chants. I spoke to their teacher at the conclusion of the performance and learned that they are local youth who are interested in maintaining Swazi cultural heritage.
The next morning December drove me to the Mozambique border were I caught a chappa to Maputo.
I don't know if my experience is one that is provided to all visitors but certainly if you want to have the opportunity to meet Swazis on a personal, non-touristy level then Shewula is the place to do it.
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Date of stay: November 2014
4.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
5.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veroa1401 wrote a review Sept 2014
Montevideo, Uruguay
5.0 of 5 bubbles
OK, it takes over 10kms of rocky roads to get there (which we did with a very small 2x4 car without problem) but it is totally worth it. And the journey up or down itself is an opportunity to see local communities and get nice pictures.
The location is amazing, the whole Camp is very pretty and peaceful. The rooms are clean and comfortable, I loved the outdoor shower.
The staff is brilliant and their cooking is even better.
Note: You need to arrive before sunset as it gets more difficult by night.
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Date of stay: August 2014
5.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
María G wrote a review Mar 2019
Lima, Peru
+1
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Place is at the top of the mountain with great views, but road is a dirt road and stones, so be prepared. There’s no electricity, but huts are comfy and have private bathrooms. The place is beautiful, very relaxing! Staff is very friendly. Do not miss the village tour, it was our highlight. Food was good too. A good place to disconnect and feel the Swazi lifestyle.

Book directly with them through their website. In Booking it said it was fully booked, but I called and they had rooms. They don’t answer quick by e-mail, so better call.
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Date of stay: March 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KoraDublin_ireland wrote a review Jun 2015
Dublin,Ireland
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We came across Shewula Mountain Camp on the Internet when planning our trip to Southern Africa last year and I booked 2 nights online. As we turned off the main road both the kids and my husband started asking...where are we going, for how long etc...I reminded them that this was the spot with no electricty, no lights etc...and I began to wonder myself what it would be like. No need to worry as the place is great. The staff are very helpful and great cooks. We cooked one night ourselves and then had dinner there the next night. The huts are basic but clean and confortable. Ours had a bathroom The huts are perched at the top of a hill with a clear view across the valley. We walked around a bit the first evening and chatted with some boys playing football. The next day December guided us on a walk down to the river as well as taking us for a walk around the village. December was great - very informative and we learnt a lot about Swazi life, the village, and the children liked learning all the uses for Marula nuts, how to crack them and which ones are good to eat. That night we had dinner and watched some Swazi dancing. It's one of the parts of our holidays that the children talk about a lot. They loved meeting some kids of their age and it gave them a real insight into what life is like there. My daughter is doing a school project and picked to do Africa and is using some photos that we took at Shewula and attempting to build a hut. Even though it may seem a bit out of the way it's definitely worth the trip and your money is going back into the community rather than to some multinational hotel corporation. We travelled with two children aged 7 and 10.
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Date of stay: July 2014
5.0 of 5 bubblesValue
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
5.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren wrote a review Apr 2019
4.0 of 5 bubbles
I spent a night at Shewula Mountain Camp and I had a great experience. The camp was established and is ran completely by the members of the Shewula community. So if you want a real Swati experience definitely come to Shewula. The views of the Indian Ocean and then even clear across eSwatini made the camp really special.
If you want to camp, there really aren't campsites, but its totally okay. Granted their prices on the website aren't updated. Camping costs R100 per person per night, not R60. Also, I do recommend a 4x4 car, otherwise it'll take you a while to get to the actual camp.

All in all, I had great experience at Shewula and I would recommend it to anyone.
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Date of stay: March 2019
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
i Valentina F wrote a review Aug 2017
Morges, Switzerland
4.0 of 5 bubbles
The location is perfect, the view stunning! We loved the rondavel huts that are simple but with comfy beds. The open to landcape shower is a must! People are kind.
Food was really good despite the price that could be a little lower (compared to other restaurants around and the price of the room).
Making the reservation was difficult. We never got an answer by e-mail and by phone communication was dificult.
Web site says bikes are for rent but reality is that they do not have any bikes left (all borken)
We did not visited the area but will be back for sure.
Lots of things to do around!
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Date of stay: August 2017
5.0 of 5 bubblesLocation
5.0 of 5 bubblesCleanliness
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Best rondavel huts N°6
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelDNA wrote a review Apr 2017
Arnhem, The Netherlands
1.0 of 5 bubbles
After driver the 45 minutes on the bumpy road we arrived at the camp. Then a disappointment: they said they where full and didn't have a reservation on our name. Even when we showed them our confirmation and payment from Expedia they wouldn't help us en where far from cooperative.
Nothing left do then driving down the hill again and find something else at 3 pm.
We heard from other people that this camp is overbooked more so be warned: contact them one or two days before you go there otherwise you have to drive the bumpy road up and down for nothing
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Date of stay: April 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
donJcgn wrote a review Feb 2017
Fez, Morocco
5.0 of 5 bubbles
We stayed at Shewula for one night on our trip from Krüge (after Lower Sabie) through Swaziland back to Johannesburg. Shewula mountain camp is on top of a hill with fantastic views to Mozambique to one side (you can see all the way to Maputo) and Swaziland to the other side. You better have a 4x4 car to get there because the road up the hill is quite bumpy and in bad conditions, but the trip is absolutely worth it. On the way up you will see many small villages and huts, local people are íncredibly nice, and the People running the camp, too. You will sleep in round hats without electricity, but super clean and also comfortable with showers and hot water. For the night, they will give you Petroleum lamps. The People will also prepare a tasty dinner if you want (recommended) as well as breakfast, and you can visit local families of the community for a small Charge. For us, it was one of the most authentic and lovely experiences during our 3 weeks trip through South Africa. Very recommended!
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Date of stay: February 2017
4.0 of 5 bubblesRooms
4.0 of 5 bubblesService
4.0 of 5 bubblesSleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dmittleman wrote a review Jan 2017
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
3.0 of 5 bubbles
After a very, very, very long drive, you arrive at this lodge perched on top of a precipitous cliff. The views are superb. Although we arrived without a reservation, the lodge prepared us a truly local lunch. Delicious peanut chicken with local veggies. It couldn't have been more perfect although it might have been a bit speedier.

The accommodations are adequate. Remember, this is very remote and off the beaten path.

The villagers were friendly on our village walk. We shared local beer. Not to my liking but a great experience. There are supposed to be bicycles but I didn't see any and you would have to be a good mountain biker to ride. There are several long hikes which the lodge will take you on.

If you want a truly off the beaten path experience with local villagers, this is it.
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Date of stay: December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Answer from Sonja P
Schweizer-Reineke, South Africa28 contributions6 helpful votes
Hi, You need to take your own towels and soap, shampoo etc.Go on the village walk and ask do to some volunteer work like helping the aunties to make beadwork. Defenitely do not miss out on their dinners, it is awesome. Visit a Shebeen/school and play a match of soccer with the local kids.
Answer from Sonja P
Schweizer-Reineke, South Africa28 contributions6 helpful votes
Yes, you are allowed to bring your own food and drinks and for a small fee make use of their kitchen. They do have a camp kicthen, but the wind after sunset is always an annoying cooking factor. You need to contact Shewula about the charges, lots of camping space.
hudsoncrider wrote a tip Aug 2021
240 contributions22 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"best views"
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Gustavo B wrote a tip May 2018
37 contributions20 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Room 5 has a beautiful view from the shower."
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i Valentina F wrote a tip Aug 2017
Morges, Switzerland194 contributions53 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"Best rondavel huts N°6"
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Sonja P wrote a tip Jul 2017
Schweizer-Reineke, South Africa28 contributions6 helpful votes
5.0 of 5 bubbles
"Some rooms got an ensuite bathroom in. As large groups visit this amazing place book one.Book well in advance."
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SimonALeicester wrote a tip Nov 2016
Leicester85 contributions80 helpful votes
4.0 of 5 bubbles
"Great views from the entire camp - it is on top of a mountain!"
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Not the right property for you?
There are more places to choose from in the Hlane Royal National Park area.
LOCATION
Eswatini (Swaziland)Lubombo DistrictHlane Royal National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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SHEWULA MOUNTAIN CAMP - Lodge Reviews (Hlane Royal National Park, Eswatini (Swaziland))

Frequently Asked Questions about Shewula Mountain Camp
Which popular attractions are close to Shewula Mountain Camp?
Nearby attractions include Mbuluzi Game Reserve and Lodges (4.6 km).
What food & drink options are available at Shewula Mountain Camp?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant during their stay.
Is parking available at Shewula Mountain Camp?
Yes, free parking is available to guests.