Mhlambanyatsi

Visitors could be forgiven for thinking that the quiet and charming village of Mhlambanyatsi, which lies to the west of the Hhohho region, has been lifted straight out of England. It was founded during the mid-1950’s following the establishment of the Usuthu Forest, which is one of the largest man-made forests in the world. Nearby Bhunya to the south is the site of the defunct mill which processed the pine trees into kraft pulp. This is now being revived with substantial investment and, among other activities, supplies the forestry processing industry in Swaziland.

Among the deep, dark Usuthu forestry plantations lies the Foresters Arms hotel, a popular retreat. Surrounded by the dense plantations and beautiful scenery, it has a European, pastoral feel, with excellent cuisine and cosy interiors.

Foresters Arms was built as a bar/lounge in 1955/56 to serve a farming community and the hotel has since grown around it organically. Owner Ruth Buck, who has been there since the mid 1980s, has imbued the place with a very particular charm, and she and her staff are enormously attentive to their guests. Today the hotel is deservedly popular for its excellent cuisine, with home-baking, fresh farm produce and a menu full of surprises. Equally seductive are the cosy interiors, complete with log fires, deep armchairs and piles of Sunday papers.

A range of country pursuits in the surrounding forests and estate include mountain-biking, horse-riding and hiking trails to a local waterfall. There is also fly-fishing at well-stocked dams in the Usutu forest, and excellent birdwatching in and around the grounds.