Mbabane – The Eswatini Tourism Authority is hosting American travel creators Chris and Adenike Joondeph of Authentic Travelling on a week-long media tour aimed at showcasing community-based tourism experiences across the Kingdom.
The visit is taking place in Eswatini this week, with the couple spending a full day on Wednesday exploring the natural and cultural landscapes of Jubukweni, one of the country’s rural tourism routes. The tour forms part of ETA’s ongoing efforts to attract international audiences through digital storytellers who focus on culture, food and lived local experiences.
Guided by Babe Samuel Mnisi and Nomsebe Sikhondze, the day began at the Ntunjambili Rock Formations, a known landmark at the entrance to Jubukweni. From there, the group travelled to the trailhead near Mphohlo Waterfall, where the hike continued through rolling hills, farming areas and surrounding villages.
During the walk, Chris and Nike were introduced to the history of the waterfalls, panoramic mountain views and Ngome Cave, while guides shared insights on local farming practices, daily life and the surrounding environment. The route passes through homesteads where traditional mud houses stand alongside modern homes, with visitors observing livestock herding and routine community activities along the way.
The Jubukweni Community Tour is positioned as an option for active travellers seeking experiences beyond established tourist circuits. The hike concluded at the Nsala Stone Homestead, where the visitors were served a traditional home cooked meal. Nike also took part in a brief grass mat making lesson and joined Imbali in a traditional dance session.
The media tour continues today with further visits planned around the country.
Chris Joondeph is an American travel content creator behind Authentic Traveling, a platform focused on food, culture and immersive travel experiences. According to his profile, he has a combined following of more than one million across platforms, including 950,000 followers on Instagram, 1.1 million on TikTok and 250,000 subscribers on YouTube. His content records an estimated monthly reach of up to 18 million, with audiences largely based in the United States, Nigeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Canada.
His previous collaborations include tourism boards and hospitality brands, with testimonials such as “We had our best sales month ever after your video was posted” attributed to Hilton Legend Hotel following a viral campaign. Authentic Traveling lists services ranging from Instagram reels and TikTok videos to user generated content and brand storytelling, with campaign rates available on request.
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