LIMPOPO – Visitors to Swadini A Forever Resort have raised concerns about the condition and maintenance of hiking trails in the reserve, with the popular Hippo Trail once again under scrutiny.

A recent hike ends in frustration

Sandi Leigh Moore shared her recent experience on Facebook after camping at Swadini and attempting to hike the Hippo Trail. According to Moore, the trail became impossible to follow within the first two kilometres.

“Within two kilometers it is impossible to distinguish any signs or trails,” Moore said. “After bundu bashing for well over 40 minutes, literally going around in circles looking for a trail, we gave up.”

A dismissive response

Moore said that upon returning to report the issue, they were met with a dismissive response from a staff member, who allegedly told them they “must be blind” not see the painted rocks and insisted the trail had been cleared a few months ago.

“If that is the case, then we’d best go see the optometrist,” Moore remarked. She added that this was not an isolated incident, recalling a similar experience two years ago.

Moore questioned whether prolonged closures of the reserve to hikers due to filming activities may have contributed to the deterioration of the trail markings, and asked whether there is any authority, hikers can engage with to address the issue.

Despite the frustration, Moore said she and her group remain eager to hike the trail and will be returning to Swadini in mid-February. She extended an invitation to any local hikers familiar with the route to join them.

Broader debate shifts blame to reserve management

Meanwhile, Bronwen Zinn weighed in on the broader debate surrounding filming activities at the reserve, calling on residents to shift their focus away from blaming production companies.

“Please stop trying to blame the filming company for everything that’s wrong within the reserve, and start actually pointing fingers at the lack of repairs and maintenance from the management,” Zinn said.

Zinn argued that filming companies pay to operate within the reserve and that the revenue generated should be reinvested into maintenance and infrastructure.

“They get paid, they charge, the filming company to be there and in all these years have not once taken the money and put it back into the reserve,” she said. “I’m sure we all know where the money goes.”

The concerns highlight ongoing frustrations among hikers and outdoor enthusiasts regarding trail maintenance, visitor experience, and accountability. At the time of publication, reserve management had not publicly responded to the allegations.

Official response points to weather as the cause

Herald contacted Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), and they confirmed that they are aware of the issue, but due to the heavy rains they could not continue to mark the trail, once the weather clears they will continue with maintenance and marking.