OVER 100 RIDERS GATHER FOR EDBA - Eswatini Travel News

By Ntokozo Zwane

The rugged mountains, winding riverbeds and spectacular landscapes of northern Eswatini will once again come alive as more than 100 motorcycle enthusiasts gather for the Eswatini Dual Bike Adventure (EDBA), an event that continues to position the Kingdom as one of Southern Africa’s premier adventure tourism destinations.

Founded in 2012 by Rika de Bruyn, Dualbike Adventures has grown into one of the region’s most respected off-road motorcycle experiences. After hosting events across South Africa’s Lowveld, KwaZulu-Natal and the Cape provinces, the organisation expanded into Eswatini in 2023, making Piggs Peak Hotel its permanent base.

For De Bruyn, the destination carries special significance, having grown up on a cotton farm at Nkhaleshane in Eswatini, where her passion for motorcycles first began.
“The staff, food and facilities are absolutely fantastic. We love it here,” says De Bruyn, explaining why Piggs Peak Hotel has remained the event’s preferred venue since its debut in the Kingdom.

This year’s event will welcome 110 riders, primarily from Gauteng, alongside participants from the Western Cape, Free State, Botswana and Mozambique. While entries are slightly lower than previous years due to economic pressures, fuel prices and competing events, organisers remain focused on delivering a premium riding experience rather than increasing participant numbers.

The routes, designed by Mark Taylor of White River, cater for riders of all skill levels. Participants can choose between easy green routes, more challenging red trails, and technically demanding black routes that navigate single tracks, jeep tracks, rocky climbs and riverbeds through some of Eswatini’s most breathtaking scenery.
Beyond the thrill of adventure riding, the event also generates meaningful benefits for local communities. Organisers source lunches from local caterers operating in remote areas and distribute tennis balls and small gifts to children in villages along the route, creating positive interactions between visitors and local residents.

Safety remains central to the event’s success. Riders are supported by a local medical response team equipped with an ambulance and trained life-support personnel, while organisers work closely with local authorities to ensure safe passage through towns and villages, where reduced speed limits are strictly enforced.

Rather than pursuing larger numbers, the organisers believe maintaining manageable participation ensures higher safety standards, effective logistical support and a better overall experience.

For De Bruyn, however, the event is about far more than motorcycles. It is an opportunity to share the country she proudly calls home.
“I have fond memories of growing up here. Eswatini is a country I remember for its friendly people, its safety and its beauty. I love coming back here, and most of all sharing it with riders from South Africa and neighbouring countries.”

As adventure tourism continues to expand across the region, the Eswatini Dual Bike Adventure demonstrates how authentic experiences, responsible event management and genuine local partnerships can transform a motorcycle ride into a powerful tourism showcase for the Kingdom.