Tuesday 5 November 2013

Nerston - from the Swazi side

We crossed into Swaziland at the Ludzi border post (Waverley on SA side) where we had to pay a R50 'tollfee'. The first 15 kilometers are on gravel roads through pine forests before we reached Bhunya, a reasonable town. From here it is another 30 km tarred road before we reached the Sandlane border post.

The road is not in a good condition and it is not clear what is being done with the 'toll fee' we paid. Perhaps for future use (or used elsewhere as we later discovered).

We re-entered South Africa again through the Sandlane (Swaziland's side) and Nerston border posts, only 30 km south of Waverley, without any hassle or incident. Although Nerston is a commercial port of entry with SARS and custom officials present, it is very quiet. It is mainly locals and migrant workers from Swaziland that cross the border here between 8:00 to18:00.

From Nerston it is only 20 km to Amsterdam on the R65, a tarred road in good condition.

Scenic gravel road on the Swaziland side
Tarred road near Bhunya in Swaziland. Pot holes not shown here.
Re-entering South Africa at the Nerston border post