Ngwenya mine Travel Guide: Top Sights in Eswatini, Tours & Travel

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Ngwenya mine- Travel Tips What to See, How to Plan & Tours: Historical & Cultural; Eswatini; 5 Reviews

Suggested Duration: 4 hours

Ngwenya Mine, located on the north-western border of Swaziland, is renowned for its ancient iron ore deposits, which are among the oldest geological formations in the world and the site of early mining activity dating back at least 42,000 years. Originally worked by Middle Stone Age peoples for red haematite and specularite, these minerals were later utilized by the ancestors of the San (Bushman) for their rock paintings. Today, the modern open cast mine, established in 1964, has spurred industrial and economic development in Swaziland, while a sacred pool on-site is believed by the local community to possess healing properties.

Operators offering tours in Eswatini

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Mbabane

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Malolotja Nature Reserve

4.8

Mantenga

4.8

Mbuluzi Game Reserve

4.8

Ngwenya Glass

4.8

Sibebe Rock

4.8

Maguga Dam

4.6

Reviews of Ngwenya mine

Kabelo Matshane

5
Reviewed: 2023-01-12

The view is breathtaking the old mine is large gaping hole across a ravine with a view and it's perfect for a nice echo that lasts quite a few seconds there is also an old steam operated locomotive that has aged beautifully.
Diego Bruschi

4
Reviewed: 2022-10-20

The iron mine can only be visited with the guide, but he's not always available
Condani Manzini

5
Reviewed: 2022-05-11

Cool place for a picnic and some outdoor adventure. Very accessible, the road is paved which makes it easy for nature lovers with small cars to reach. I call it the Fresh Air Window.....
Mike Lahaye

5
Reviewed: 2019-07-28

Old iron mine (open pit mine) from the 1960s onwards. Also the location of the oldest mine in the world (40.000 years old according to C14 dating of charcoal in one of the abri’s/mines/caves in the hill). When into geology or mines it’s absolutely worth it, but the location that’s supposedly 40.000 years old is not much. I even forgot to take a picture. Views from this hilltop are beautiful! The tarred road leading to this mine is, according to our guide (ranger in this nature reserve), the oldest in Swaziland (1960s). In the mine there is a gravel road (good condition) which leads to the other side of this open pit mine. From here it is a 15 min walk uphill (beautiful views) to the 40000 year old “mine”. Don’t expect much of it. Entrance to this area (open pit mine and the old 40.000 years mine) is 30 rand (2€) per person, to visit the old 40.000 year old mine you have to be accompanied by one of the rangers. We gave him 40 rand (free gift) for joining us. The visitor center burned down unfortunately.
Ambrose Twebaze

3
Reviewed: 2019-07-23

Good scenic tour that allows you even capture South African networks at the Lion Cavern. Pity the visitors information centre that was burnt by the fire hasn't been rebuilt yet. The trek to the Lion Cavern is very breath taking and offers many amazing photo opps.