Eswatini is a country that is filled with a lot of wonders both seen and unseen and the real gold mine is the caving trip that is carried out in the different parts of the country. Majorly carried out in the Ezulwini valley and the Lubombo Mountains, caving has become an activity that every tourist who does not have fear of enclosed areas engages in if not for the adventure part then to try and explore the country from underground. Get your hiking shoes but if possible leave your camera behind as you head out to enjoy some of the best moments that you will have while in Eswatini.
Your caving trip will only be a success if you follow all the guidelines and instructions that will be given to you by the tour guide. In this article we are going to learn more about caving excursions in Eswatini through an answer and question format so that most of the queries that tourists have are catered for.
Is caving in Eswatini safe?
All the places in Eswatini where caving is done are on a high percentage safe to go to but just like experimenting undergrounds, there are few boulders, rocks, water that might make your trip a little bit especially if you do not follow the rules that are put up by the tour guides. This is not like walking through a park as you enjoy a leisurely tour around but in the general sense, caves are dangerous. You will find a lot of holes in the caves that you should try to avoid and that is why it is advisable that one follows the routes that are taken by the guide who is always at the front. When the caving sessions are being prepared, all the dangerous parts within the caves are avoided so as to avoid accidents.
Is it safe to go caving during the wet season?
The answer to this is yes. It is not dangerous for one to go caving during the rainy season because of a lot of reasons some of which include:
- It does not rain underground so you will be safe although you might get wet when the rains come in heavy.
- The caves do not flood although they might be a little bit soggy during the wet season.
How many people are allowed to go caving per session?
Since a cave is an enclosed area underground, it is better if the people are not so many so that there is breathing space for everyone. Caving sessions are mainly done in three groups and each group contains a maximum of three people although more groups can be taken around. Note that no group will be allowed to enter the caves without an experienced tour guide.
Do I need to have prior experience to participate in caving?
You do not need to have any skills or prior experience in order to go caving in Eswatini, however you will need to be fit because the walk through the cave is extremely tiring and you will have some muscle pains after but it will still be worth it. All you need is to follow the guidelines that are set up by the tour guides in order to have a lovely experience in the different caves around Eswatini.
Are there enough protective gear for everyone?
There are enough lights that can accommodate the three different groups that contain ten people because everyone has to have a clear view of where they are heading to while in the cave. The lights are always attached to helmets that help with avoiding falling rocks while caving and tourists are also provided by overalls to avoid the stains from when you go to caving.
What should I expect before I go for caving?
There are no amount of words that can describe what you should expect when you get to the caves but all you need to know is that you will have a lot of good times and bad times while in the caves but they will all be worth it. Just book for a caving trip once you settle in Eswatini and you will never regret it.
What do I need to know about booking for the caving trip?
There are quite a number of things that you should know when it comes to booking for the caving tour and these include:
- You can book online through the different websites that offer caving trips. It is also better if you book in advance so that your trip is organized in advance before you arrive.
- Note that you can cancel your caving trip for as long as you do it earlier on so that you do not inconvenience the tour operator organizing it for you.
- You can pay online using the different online platforms that are given to you or you can pay when you get to the country.
Are there any health risks associated with caving?
There are no life threatening issues that should worry you while caving although you should be aware of the fungi that is found in the different caves around the country and they are believed to cause fever so you should be careful. In case you get any accident or fall sick while around or inside the caves, you will first be given first aid from the first aid kit that is always carried during the caving excavation before being taken to the health facility which is about 20 minutes away and you are assured of getting medication easily. You do not need to be worried about malaria while in the caves but if you have a fear, take some anti-malarial drugs before heading out for the caving opportunity.
Should I be worried about the tour guides?
No, you should not be worried about the tour guides who will take you around the caves because they are well trained and they are always given refresher courses to remind them of how they should conduct themselves while there and how to treat the clients while on the trip.
