A tiny landlocked country in Southern Africa, Swaziland is an interesting traditional kingdom that offers a variety of outdoor attractions. It boasts with numerous national parks and reserves inhabited by magnificent African wildlife including lions, elephants and leopards. A birdwatcher's paradise, Swaziland is home to numerous species of birds. Due to unspoiled nature and diverse landscape, Swaziland is also a hiker's dream come true.
Nature attractions. There are several national parks and game reserves with unique African animals great for wildlife viewing in Swaziland as well as birdwatching in Swaziland. The largest of the National Parks in Swaziland, Hlane Royal National Park is home to lions, elephants, leopards, white rhinos, antelopes, and cheetahs, among others. There are exciting game drives, walking trails and mountain biking available in the park. You can also visit the nearby Swazi village where you can see traditional Swazi dance and music performances.
More nature reserves. In Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary there are good opportunities to see zebras, giraffes, antelopes, crocodiles, hippos and many species of birds. The rugged and unspoiled nature of the Malolotja Nature Reserve in the western mountains of Swaziland is ideal for hiking in Swaziland. The park is home to almost 300 species of birds and unique vegetation with many tree and flower species. You can go fly fishing in the mountain streams of Swaziland and to exciting whitewater rafting trips.
Mbabane is the capital of Swaziland with some hotels, open markets, restaurants, and small shopping malls for shopping in Swaziland. The second largest city in Swaziland, Manzini also has some shops and restaurants. What comes to the nightlife in Swaziland, you can find a few discos and nightclubs in Mbabane and in Ezulwini Valley, where also live music and performances are available.
Travel to Swaziland can be done by air or by road via South Africa. There are regular flights to Swaziland from Johannesburg and Durban in South Africa. You can also travel to Swaziland by buses from Mozambique and South Africa.
Attractions and activities in Swaziland, the tiny land of national parks with wildlife and birds
The smallest country in African mainland, Swaziland is a landlocked kingdom located in Southern Africa between Mozambique and South Africa. Its landscape consists mostly of mountains and hills, but there are some plains, savannas and rainforests with waterfalls, too.Nature attractions. There are several national parks and game reserves with unique African animals great for wildlife viewing in Swaziland as well as birdwatching in Swaziland. The largest of the National Parks in Swaziland, Hlane Royal National Park is home to lions, elephants, leopards, white rhinos, antelopes, and cheetahs, among others. There are exciting game drives, walking trails and mountain biking available in the park. You can also visit the nearby Swazi village where you can see traditional Swazi dance and music performances.
More nature reserves. In Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary there are good opportunities to see zebras, giraffes, antelopes, crocodiles, hippos and many species of birds. The rugged and unspoiled nature of the Malolotja Nature Reserve in the western mountains of Swaziland is ideal for hiking in Swaziland. The park is home to almost 300 species of birds and unique vegetation with many tree and flower species. You can go fly fishing in the mountain streams of Swaziland and to exciting whitewater rafting trips.
Mbabane is the capital of Swaziland with some hotels, open markets, restaurants, and small shopping malls for shopping in Swaziland. The second largest city in Swaziland, Manzini also has some shops and restaurants. What comes to the nightlife in Swaziland, you can find a few discos and nightclubs in Mbabane and in Ezulwini Valley, where also live music and performances are available.
Practical information for your stay in Swaziland
The climate in Swaziland varies from tropical to almost temperate with mild summers and winters. Nights can be quite cold in winter. The highlands of Swaziland have humid temperate climate, while climate in the middle lands is subtropical and drier. Swaziland is best visited in May, June or in October when the weather is not too cold. The rainy season in Swaziland is from December to April. Even during the rainy season there is usually plenty of sunshine.Travel to Swaziland can be done by air or by road via South Africa. There are regular flights to Swaziland from Johannesburg and Durban in South Africa. You can also travel to Swaziland by buses from Mozambique and South Africa.
Photo: TheLizardQueen, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
There are regular bus tours to Swaziland available from South Africa.
Public transportation in Swaziland is handled by inexpensive but relatively infrequent buses. Minibuses are often the most effective way of traveling short distances, but they are often overcrowded and driving can be dangerous. Private taxis are also available in the largest towns of Swaziland. As taxis do not usually have meters it is advisable to negotiate the price beforehand. Car rental in Swaziland is available at the Matsapha International Airport near Manzini. Main roads in Swaziland are in good condition, but the roads in the rural areas are not necessarily. Watch out for wild animals, drunken drivers, and people on the road when driving in Swaziland.
Basic services. Swaziland has still relatively undeveloped tourism infrastructure, but there are, however, several good lodges and hotels in Swaziland. The majority of the restaurants in Swaziland are located in Mbabane and Manzini. English is the business language in Swaziland. To deal with local people it is advisable to know some words in SiSwati, the national language of Swaziland.
Safety. Compared to the neighboring countries, Swaziland is a quite safe travel destination. As the crime rates have, however, been increasing during the recent times it is advisable to keep your valuables hidden and avoid traveling after dark. There is a risk of malaria in Swaziland in some lower parts of the country.
History of Swaziland in brief
Swaziland has been inhabited already during the early Stone Age but the Bantu-speaking Swazis arrived much more lately. Swaziland became a British protectorate in the late 1800s. The country was granted full independence in 1968. Today, Swaziland is one of the few remaining kingdoms in Africa, noted for its peaceful development. However, it is suffering from a severe AIDS problem.hint See also these nearby destinations: Maputo
