Somopho Hills: Blending thrills with tradition to boost rural tourism and economic growth

IIn the heart of the rural KwaSomopho community, outside of Empangeni in northern KwaZulu-Natal, lies Somopho Hills,  an adventure park reshaping the landscape of rural tourism by seamlessly blending thrilling adventures with community empowerment, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability.

The adventure park is a major tourist drawcard in the region, offering a variety of activities like hiking trails, paintball games, quad biking, archery and camping.

It was founded in 2021 by 35-year-old Lungani Mthembu as a tribute to his late grandfather, Inkosi Somopho Ka Sikhala, a revered figure in the Zulu nation and inkosi of the Mthembu clan.

With Inkosi Somopho’s grave just 50 metres from the park, it is no wonder that its’ exhilarating activities are paired with rich narratives of Zulu history and vibrant cultural performances.

“As part of the unique storytelling experience, we make our guests sit in our concrete Boma around the fire and educate them about the history of Kwa Zulu- Natal, leveraging on the fact that we are also named Somopho Hills. Somopho is a mighty Zulu Warrior who fought in many Zulu Battles. We do old traditional Zulu dances, which are now very rare to find. We offer Zulu food prepared in three-legged pots and fire, which makes our visitors very happy,” says Mthembu.

Beyond cultural preservation, Somopho Hills is a catalyst for economic growth in a community where most families rely on subsistence farming.

The park has created 15 jobs for local youth, and through the Department of Tourism, the park has trained 20 young people from the area to become qualified tourist guides.

Apart from direct employment and training, the park also boosts local businesses by purchasing fresh produce and meat from local farmers. Somopho Hills also sources equipment such as tents and other event materials from local entrepreneurs when hosting large events.

With its solid cultural grounding, Somopho Hills is also a platform for showcasing talent in the arts as it provides a platform for local dancers, poets, and other artists to perform.

The support from the local community has been instrumental in the park’s success. Initially, the park had to overcome scepticism from locals who didn’t fully understand the vision behind it.

“We had to be patient with them and educate them on exactly what we were doing and how this would empower the community. We are happy that today we are working together with the community hand in hand,” Mthembu recalls.

Environmental sustainability is another core value at KwaSomopho Hills, as there is a strong dedication to protecting the area’s rich biodiversity, including its ancient forests that provide a habitat for numerous species.

“We have some of the oldest forests here, home to birds, reptiles, and grasslands. Protecting this natural beauty is essential for future generations,” he adds.

The park has also received strong backing from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, which, in 2023, contributed a fleet of 10 quad bikes valued at R1.2 million.

Further support from Tourism Kwa Zulu-Natal and Film Authority has included marketing activations, bringing influencers and media personnel to the park, significantly boosting its visibility.

Mthembu says he keeps up with the latest trends in the industry by consuming information from stakeholders such as South African Tourism, adding, “There is information on the internet if you pay attention”.

Spurred by the growth, Somopho Hills is far from slowing down. Plans are underway to build a restaurant, bar, and accommodation facilities to enhance the visitor experience further. His vision for KwaSomopho Hills is to serve as a model for rural tourism, inspiring other young entrepreneurs to follow in his footsteps.

He, however, has a word of caution for emerging entrepreneurs in the tourism space.

“Do it because you are passionate about it. Money has to be the by-product. I have never had a problem during the days when there was no income because this is my passion. This kind of business has a huge opportunity; young entrepreneurs can have their fair share if they believe in it. Dreams do come true. If I could do it, I don’t see why they cannot succeed either”.

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