Mabuda Farm, Bed & Breakfast,
Siteki, Lebombo Mountains, Eastern Swaziland

ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH, a novelist,once said in response to the question “Where is the most incredible place you have ever been?”
"For much of 1980 I lived in Swaziland, a small kingdom in southern Africa. I used to drive up to the Lebombo Mountains, from which one might look down to Mozambique and the Indian Ocean. There was a small town there, Siteki, which seemed to have been forgotten, but which still had an old colonial hotel. This hotel had a dining room in which each table was carefully laid with white linen and silver. I never saw anybody else eating there. The whole town had the feel of having been left over from somewhere in the Fifties. One had the impression at any moment one might encounter the shade of a former district commissioner on his way to an evening of bridge. On the road along the ridge of the mountains, I discovered a deserted farmhouse. Behind, the land dropped down sharply to the lowveld below, and one could look out for miles, over a landscape of shimmering heat, of browns and reds, to hills made blue by distance. I sought out the farmer who owned the house, and he walked with me round the property, he with his gun under his arm. What made this place so special? High air, Africa distilled, as Isak Dinesen would have it; a sense of loss; a sense of being missed by the world."

Mabuda or "Place of Dreams" is the romantic farm enthroned atop the beautiful Lebombo Mountains. A place where time stands still. A place where the wind whispers tales of forgotten colonial days and the dust clouds drift like shadows behind the old Ford tractors.

There is something for everyone to enjoy. From horse riding to fantastic birding amidst spectacular views, you are sure to find yourself captivated.

Warm thatched rondavels and chalets provide accommodation for up to 39 visitors in 8 units offering a choice of Self-catering, B&B or Budget Accomodation.

Choose from our traditional 1930's-style thatched rondavels, with authentic period decor, or one of our thatched chalets (which can accommodate up to 4 people each) overlooking a spectacular mountainous view.

We also offer facilities for up to 12 back-packers (budget acommodation) and also three camp sites with water, electricity, braai facilities and ablutions.

And for those who love summer, we've got a lovely pool and boma-braai area just for you!

Mabuda is the ideal setting for that special weekend, a few days "away from it all", a place for groups to meet up on the way to Mozambique ( only 28Km from the border) or the perfect stop-over on the route north to the Kruger Park.

• NO TV, BAR OR RESTAURANT AVAILABLE ON THE FARM.

LUXURY UNITS (RONDAVELS):
We have 3 self-catering rondavels, each with separate lounge, dining room and bathroom. The first two of these have 3 beds and the third, 5 beds. Access to braai (barbeque) Boma.
MAX PEOPLE IN RONDAVELS: 11 | SELF-CATERING OR B&B

STANDARD UNITS (CHALETS):
These cozy units can accommodate up to 4 people each: 2 downstairs and 2 in the loft. They each have a kitchenette and a bathroom. The verandah boasts a spectacular mountainous view. Access to braai (barbeque) Boma.
MAX PEOPLE IN CHALETS: 16 | SELF-CATERING OR B&B

BACKPACKERS/BUDGET ACOMMODATION:
This sleeps 12 people. We offer 6 rooms, each with a bunk bed (sleeps 2). Please note that bedding (but not towels) is provided.There is also a shared common area of lounge, dining, and self catering kitchen with separate men's and ladies' bathrooms. The central courtyard includes a braai facility for your convenience.
MAX PEOPLE: 12 | SELF-CATERING

CAMPING:
Mabuda Farm currently offers 3 camping sites, each with water and electricity supply. There is an ablution block for campers and braai (barbeque) facility.

Power supply: The power supply 220V from the National grid, which is occasionally interrupted, especially during thunderstorms. The standby generator should provide light within the count of 10. If not, make use of the strategically placed candles! Should you need it, there is a gas stove and lamp available in the main house.

Wi Fi - Available!
Washing: Washing and ironing are available.
Braai fire: Firewood and charcoal are available.
Telephone: Swazi MTN Cell phone coverage is adequate around the farm. There is a WiFi network and a call-box.

Getting to Mabuda Farm

From Mbabane (or Ngwenya-Oshoek Border Post)
• Ngwenya-Oshoek Border Post (Opening times: 07h00 - 22h00) : It's quite relaxed. You will need to get a slip of paper from the SA customs for your car, no cost. After stamping your passport at departure, the SA police sometimes examine your vehicle chassis number and engine number on exit, don't be alarmed! Drive to the Swazi side, fill in an entry form requesting up to 30 days (renewable). Once your passport is stamped, go to the next counter and pay R50 road levy, let customs search your car if they want to, and you are in Swaziland!

• Visa's are not generally required from Europe, Commonwealth countries and North America. You need not declare your camera equipment. If you don't get behind a tour bus, the whole procedure should take less than 15 minutes. The toilets at the border are sort of OK. There is fuel here, often 10% cheaper in Swaziland.

• From the boarder to Mbabane is an easy drive. There is a by-pass road to Manzini but be careful as you come down the steep hill below Mbabane as it has notorious bends and a high accident rate. Continue directly through the untidy city of Manzini; try and stay in the right lane as the left is congested with taxi and bus traffic heading for the bus rank! About 40 km from Manzini, when you are close to the mountain, keep a good lookout for the major intersection to Siteki (Right turn) as it is poorly signposted. Also, look out for our “Mabuda B&B” green signs. Take this and after 7 kms, you will drive straight through the Foot and Mouth control line, (no need to stop, as you are entering a surveillance area.) 7 km thereafter, you're in Siteki.

• Once at the town: Past a filling station on your left, a hotel on your left, take the first right turn you are allowed to take. (The first one being a One-Way) At that turn-off, you will see the sign directing you to Mabuda. (If you get to the Hospital, you've gone much too far!)

• You pass over a stop street, and at the little cemetery, turn right, also sign-posted. Cross the tar road directly and onto a dirt road, (only 1km to go!) over a cattle grille, and you have arrived. The B&Bs are the thatched buildings down on your Left. Park in front of the reception where Alma Butler will greet you and make you feel at home. (If for any reason she is not there, please make your way to Mabuda house nearby.) If at any stage you get lost, wind down your window and in your best English, ask for directions to Mabuda Farm.

From Nelspruit:
• Take the N4 to Komatipoort: Just after crossing a river and just before the town, take a right turn towards the Swazi Border. You will go past farm land and some small villages (keep to the speed limit): After about 80km, you will be at Mananga or Bordergate (opening times 07h00 - 18h00) into Swaziland. This border is quite relaxed. You will need to get a slip of paper from the SA customs for your car, no cost. After stamping your passport at departure, the SA police sometimes examine your vehicle chassis number and engine number on exit, don't be alarmed! Drive to the Swazi side, fill in an entry form requesting up to 30 days (renewable) Once your passport is stamped, go to the next counter and pay R50 road levy, let customs search your car if they want to, and you are in Swaziland!

• Visa's are not generally required from Europe, Commonwealth countries and North America. You need not declare your camera equipment. If you don't get behind a tour bus, the whole procedure should take less than 15 minutes. The toilets at the border are sort of OK.

• From the border, continue till you meet a traffic circle, incongruously in the bush! Keep Left, pass the settlements of Tshaneni, Mhlume (a mill town) and then Tambankulu Estate. You will then get to a T junction with an army check-point nearby. (This is not for you! They are searching vehicles from Mozambique!) Turn Right (South) and cross the Mbuluzi River. After that, keep going south past the mill town of Simunye. You then drive through the Hlane Game reserve so look out for Elephants! Also, look out for our “Mabuda B&B” green signs. After 20km there is the intersection to "Siteki" on the Left. Take this and after 7 kms, you will drive straight through the Foot and Mouth control line, (no need to stop, as you are entering a surveillance area.) 7 km thereafter, you're in Siteki.

• Once at the town: Past a filling station on your left, a hotel on your left, take the first right turn you are allowed to take. (The first one being a One-Way) At that turn-off, you will see the sign directing you to Mabuda. (If you get to the Hospital, you've gone much too far!)

• You pass over a stop street, and at the little cemetery, turn right, also sign-posted. Cross the tar road directly and onto a dirt road, (only 1km to go!) over a cattle grille, and you have arrived. The B&Bs are the thatched buildings down on your Left. Park in front of the reception where Alma Butler will greet you and make you feel at home. (If for any reason she is not there, please make your way to Mabuda house nearby.) If at any stage you get lost, wind down your window and in your best English, ask for directions to Mabuda Farm.

From Hluhluwe
• On the N2 towards Pongola, look out for a small turn-off, poorly marked "Golela", about 2 km after crossing the Pongola river. (If you get to Pongola town, turn back, you have gone 30km too far!) The Golela/Lavumisa border is 10 km away.(Opening hours: 07h00 - 22h00)

• It is very hot at the border but quite relaxed. You will get a slip of paper from the SA customs for your car, no cost. After stamping your passport at departure, the SA police routinely examine your vehicle chassis number and engine number at the boom gate, don't be alarmed! Drive to the Swazi side, fill in an entry form requesting up to 30 days (renewable) . Once your passport is stamped, go to the next counter and pay R50 road levy. You need not declare your camera equipment unless you plan to sell it here! Swazi Customs may look in your car but only in a very casual manner, and you are in Swaziland! If you don't get behind a tour bus, the whole procedure should take less than 15 minutes. The best toilets at the border are on the South African side or at the nearby filling station on the Swazi side. The fuel is often 10% cheaper in Swaziland.

• Drive north through Nsoko (34 km) and after 30km, Big Bend, (a sugar milling town.) 6 km past Big Bend, take the turnoff to the right sign-posted "Siteki". From here the B&B is well signposted! After 39 km (and some pot holes!!) you reach a T Junction. Turn Right, signposted "Siteki". You will shortly drive straight through the Foot and Mouth control line, no need to stop. 7 km thereafter, you're in Siteki.

• Once at the town: Past a filling station on your left, a hotel on your left, take the first right turn you are allowed to take. (The first one being a One-Way) At that turn-off, you will see the sign directing you to Mabuda. (If you get to the Hospital, you've gone much too far!)

• You pass over a stop street, and at the little cemetery, turn right, also sign-posted. Cross the tar road directly and onto a dirt road, (only 1km to go!) over a cattle grille, and you have arrived. The B&Bs are the thatched buildings down on your Left. Park in front of the reception where Alma Butler will greet you and make you feel at home. (If for any reason she is not there, please make your way to Mabuda house nearby.) If at any stage you get lost, wind down your window and in your best English, ask for directions to Mabuda Farm.

From Maputo
• If you are coming from Maputo: Take the road towards Komati, about 15km after Boane, turn Left to Goba. This is a poorly marked road in an area of some mud huts. It is a new road in excellent condition (except for the camber on the mountain pass section - a bit flat!)

• Continue past the town of Goba and up the hill to Mhlumeni border post (Open 24 hours). You will find the border relaxed. On the Swazi side, fill in an entry form requesting up to 30 days. Once your passport is stamped, go to the next counter and pay R50 road levy, let customs search your car, and you are in Swaziland! The Swazis will ask whether you have meat or any other contraband that may harbour Foot and Mouth Disease! Visa's are not generally required from Europe, Commonwealth countries and North America. They sometimes want you to declare your camera equipment. If you don't get behind a tour bus, the whole procedure should take less than 15 minutes.

• It is about 30km to Siteki. You will see our signs near the border. Be prepared to stop at an army checkpoint nearer to Siteki: I think they are looking for imported AK47's! On the outskirts of Siteki, you will find our signboard.

• At Siteki, you will get to a T junction, next to the Siteki Hotel; Turn Left and follow our signs from there. Take the first right turn you are allowed to take. (The first one being a One-Way). At that turn-off, you will see the sign directing you to Mabuda. (If you get to the Hospital, you've gone much too far!)

• You pass over a stop street, and at the little cemetery, turn right, also sign-posted. Cross the tar road directly and onto a dirt road, (only 1km to go!) over a cattle grille, and you have arrived. The B&Bs are the thatched buildings down on your Left. Park in front of the reception where Alma Butler will greet you and make you feel at home. (If for any reason she is not there, please make your way to Mabuda house nearby.) If at any stage you get lost, wind down your window and in your best English, ask for directions to Mabuda Farm.

Visas: Nationals of South Africa, USA, Canada, Britain and most other EU Countries are automatically given a visitors stamp in their passports at the border and do not require a separate visa. Residents of other countries should contact the nearest Swaziland Consulate or Embassy for information about visas.
Follow the Hornbills:

On all routes, as you get closer to the farm, you will see our distinctive signs with the hornbill logo which will guide you to Mabuda.