LocationsCommunities Thrive Through Protected Land in Eswatini
November 6, 2025
UNDP mission joined by Eswatini National Trust Commission CEO and staff to assess the impact of the support from the GEF-funded project to Khelekhele Eco Lodge.
In the rolling hills and wetlands of Eswatini, communities are keeping the spirit of conservation alive – years after the completion of the Strengthening the National Protected Areas System (SNPAS) Project. This six-year initiative implemented between 2015-2021 aimed to ensure the long-term conservation of Eswatini’s biodiversity and landscapes by building a robust, well-managed, and financially sustainable network of protected areas, involving all relevant stakeholders and adopting a landscape approach for greater impact.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded the project to the tune of USD6 million, and it was implemented by the Eswatini National Trust Commission (ENTC) through technical support from UNDP. On October 30th, UNDP Resident Represented led a mission to assess lasting impact of the project, that expanded Eswatini’s protected area coverage from 3.9% to 5.5%, slightly falling short of the targeted 6%.
Through this effort, new Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) secured nearly 20,000 hectares of private and communal land for conservation. Beyond the numbers, the project has left a living legacy – one that continues to empower communities and safeguard ecosystems.
Khelekhele: Young People Building a Future in Eco-Tourism
At Khelekhele Lodge and located within the culturally rich Velezizweni Chiefdom along the Ngwempisi River, the hum of activity around the community-run eco-lodge reflects youthful energy and hope. Once supported through SNPAS infrastructure development and training, the lodge remains a symbol of community-driven tourism which attracts tourists who want to engage in hiking, camping, nature walks, bird watching and enjoy cultural connection.
“We’ve hosted visitors from as far as the United States who come here for the tranquillity and our cultural experiences,” says Thabiso Njoko, the chairperson of the Ngwempisi Trust, responsible for managing the lodge. “What we need now is more marketing support – especially online – so that more tourists can find us.”
The Trust also has a vision to introduce more activities such as horse-riding and buy tents for people who would like to camp.
UNDP, through SNPAS, invested in rehabilitating ecotourism infrastructure, training community members in product development, and supporting small-scale livelihood initiatives such as rabbit and indigenous chicken production. For young people like Njoko, this combination of skills and infrastructure is keeping the eco-lodge alive – and their dreams within reach.
“What we see here is sustainability in action – young people and women turning conservation into opportunity. The SNPAS Project proved that when communities are empowered and supported, nature becomes an engine for local development.” UNDP Resident Representative, Mr. Henrik Franklin.
The UNDP-led mission with the community at Luyengweni Wetland.
Khalangilile: Women Weaving Livelihoods from Conservation
Further south, at Luyengweni Protected Wetland, women are unable to harvest all the natural fibre from the wetland protected under SNPAS support. The area was fenced, and community members, women, were trained in wetland management and sustainable harvesting to sell and make household items such as mats and brooms.
“Before the training, we didn’t realise how important it was to protect the wetland,” explains Queen Mkhonta, a member of the women’s cooperative. “Now we understand that if we take care of it, it takes care of us. We make our products, sell them in Manzini Market, and earn enough to support our families.”
The Khalangilile community initiative has become a model of how conservation can coexist with sustainable livelihoods. Women are not only earning an income but also taking on leadership roles in managing the community’s natural resources – a testament to the SNPAS project’s success in integrating gender equality and community empowerment into environmental management. The cooperative envisions building a storage facility where women can harvest and store natural fibre for bulk sales to handicraft makers, reducing the need to travel to Manzini and cutting down on costs.
The project upgraded the access road by paving it.
Wide Horizons: Partnerships that Open Access
The site visit also included Wide Horizons Mountain Retreat, a private eco-lodge that is nestled on top of the Makungutsha Mountains which also benefited from SNPAS’s investment in improving accessibility through road upgrades and fencing.
“Before the road was fixed, visitors struggled to get here, especially during the rainy season,” says Takhona Ndwandwe, the lodge manager.
Although the lodge had begun experiencing a steady increase in tourist arrivals following its upgrade, which had created more employment opportunities for nearby community members, it caught fire in July last year, resulting in significant damage to the property. While management is working on rebuilding the lodge, tourists are still visiting to occupy the part that accommodates 16 people at a time.
The lodge remains a hit for end-of-year functions and to people who enjoy reconnecting with nature through hiking and camping. However, poaching remains a challenge and the lodge is strengthening its security measures to prevent it.
This collaboration with private operators demonstrates how public-private partnerships can strengthen Eswatini’s conservation landscape – ensuring that economic opportunity complements ecological protection.
A Lasting Legacy
Over six years, the SNPAS Project introduced significant innovations to Eswatini’s conservation landscape – from developing a GIS-based Biodiversity Information System to training over 20 community and private sector groups in drone use, ecotourism marketing, and financial management. It also guided the development of a national wetlands policy and an Invasive Alien Species Strategy, now formally adopted by Cabinet.
Reflecting on the visit, Mr. Franklin commended the communities for maintaining project gains:
“What we see here is sustainability in action – young people and women turning conservation into opportunity. The SNPAS Project proved that when communities are empowered and supported, nature becomes an engine for local development.”
He further appreciated the financial support from GEF and the strong partnership with ENTC in the implementation of the project.
As the sun sets over Eswatini’s protected landscapes, the work of the SNPAS Project lives on; in the laughter of youth at Khelekhele, the rhythmic weaving at Khalangilile, and the steady stream of visitors to New Horizons. Together, they tell a story of hope – a future where people and nature thrive side by side.