SWAZILAND

Image courtesy of Roger de la Harpe www.africaimagery.com


The smallest country in Africa is also one of the most easy going - laid-back Swazis are more likely to celebrate for fun than demonstrate for reform. A progressive and hands-on attitude towards wildlife preservation has endowed it with a striking bunch of national parks.

Swaziland is surrounded by South Africa to the north and west, and by Mozambique to the east. Although Swaziland has long been regarded as one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, it was not until an Italian and South African syndicate built southern Africa’s first casino hotel on a prime valley site in the early 1990s that Swaziland geared itself towards tourism. The lush Ezulwini Valley is a miracle of nature and the seat of Swaziland’s major tourist attractions, including the country’s famous casino, the magnificent Royal Swazi golf course and the hot mineral spring known affectionately by locals and guests as the ‘Cuddle Puddle’.

Swaziland has a number of protected nature reserves and game parks which are open for visitors and strong efforts have recently been made to bring wildlife back to the country. There are currently four Swaziland National Trust Commission (SNTC) nature reserves, namely Malolotja, Hawane, Mantenga and Mlawula, all of which are inhabited by a rich wildlife (including rare species such as the aardwolf or African finfoot) and a wide range of bird species. These reserves are characterized by some of the most beautiful landscapes in southern Africa. The SNTC has taken a number of once privately run game parks under its wing such as Mlilwane, the country’s oldest established game sanctuary. Other game sanctuaries that have recently been proclaimed protected areas are Malolotsha, in the north near Piggs Peak; Hlane, in the shadow of the escarpment in the northeast; and Mkhaya. Hlane has wide open spaces supporting big herds of game where the visitor can see the old traditional scenes of Africa. Both Hlane and Malolotsha, which is situated on top of a mountain range and surrounded by steep canyons and waterfalls, are easily reached by road and different types of accommodation and tours are available.

The industrial center of Manzini lies east across the valley, a good half-hour’s drive. On the way, visitors pass signposts to Swaziland’s most famous waterfall, the Mantenga Falls. Food stalls in the local markets sell traditional Swazi meat stew and maize meal or stamped mealies and roasted corn on the cob (in season). Throughout the year, a number of traditional festivals, dances and rituals are celebrated.