Sheba’s Breasts & Execution Rock

Two well known mountains overlook Eswatini’s (Swaziland’s) Ezulwini Valley and both have well marked trails allowing visitors to hike up for some amazing views.

Sheba’s Breasts are actually two peaks on the side of Ezulwini Valley that are visible form afar.  The rock formations are named after the legendary beauty and mysterious Queen of Sheba from Ethiopia, who supposedly seduced King Solomon. The author J. Rider Haggard, who traveled through Swaziland in the 1880s, was inspired by the peaks and it is believed that he wrote his famous “King Solomon’s Mines”. Legend tells that Sheba’s Breasts are the site of King Solomon’s mines. The Sheba’s Breasts Hiking Trail begins at Lidwala Lodge and can be hiked on a 2-3 hour round trip. The route has now been plotted on Google Maps.

The striking Nyonyane Mountain with its exposed granite peak known as the Execution Rock lies in, and is accessed through Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. With its peak at 1110m, Nyonyane is where ancient Bushmen once lived and where Swazi Royal graves are situated, giving it historical significance. Ancient stories are often told how this magnificent peak acquired its name – locals suspected of witchcraft or criminals were forced to walk off the edge at spear-point for their crimes.

Hiking up to the summit of Execution Rock is a firm favourite. Maps are available from  Mlilwane’s Activity Centre and there are numerous trails to the summit (including the Machobane Trail) with most departing from Mlilwane’s Rest Camp and some from Reilly’s Rock. Chubeka Trails, offers a 3- 4 hour Rock of Execution Challenge on horseback to the summit and it’s also a location for scheduled game drives that allow visitors to watch the sun rise or set over the Ezulwini Valley, Malkerns and Lobamba.

The Nyakato viewpoint on Nyonyane, offers stunning views of the adjacent Sheba’s Breasts, as well as the Mantenga waterfall and beautiful Usushwana Valley. The beating drums from Mantenga Cultural Village are often audible from and views stretch as far as Matsapha town, and down to Mantenga Lodge’s terrace, which enjoys spectacular views back up to Execution Rock.