Pigg's Peak

Pigg's Peak is a town in northern Hhohho, named after William Pigg, a prospector who discovered a gold reef at the site on 26 March 1884. Gold mining anchored the settlement until the mine was exhausted in 1954, by which point it had already been eclipsed by the nearby Havelock asbestos mine at Bulembu; today the town's main industry is forestry, set among pine plantations on the surrounding highland slopes. It remains a gateway to the mountain scenery of northern Eswatini.

By car/road: 50 km northeast of Mbabane. Minibus taxis available.

Central Pigg's Peak is walkable; a car or taxi is needed to reach Phophonyane Falls and other outlying attractions.

• Phophonyane Falls Nature Reserve: a 600-hectare reserve about 10 km north of town, centred on an 80 m waterfall on the Phophonyane River, with exposed rock dated among the oldest on Earth (3.55 billion years) and walking trails through the Gobolondlo forest.

• Mountain and pine-forest scenery around the town, a legacy of its history as a gold-mining and now forestry centre.

• Hike the trails at Phophonyane Falls Nature Reserve, watching for vervet monkeys, red duiker, banded mongoose, and among some 240 recorded bird species the narina trogon; a natural rock swimming pool is open to day visitors for a small entrance fee.

• Golf at the course attached to Pigg's Peak Hotel & Casino, set in pine forest.

Pigg's Peak Hotel & Casino in town, and Phophonyane Falls Ecolodge (cottages, safari tents, and beehive huts) within the nature reserve about 10 km north.

Provisions and everyday goods at local shops in town.

• Bulembu — 11 km west
• Malolotja Nature Reserve — 25 km southwest
• Mbabane — 50 km southwest