Explore Swaziland

Welcome to the Kingdom with it’s fast number of Game reserves!

The small kingdom of Swaziland one of the last true monarchies in Southern Africa with spectacular marriage rituals dating back to their ancestors still being preformed. Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Although Swaziland is a small country they have successfully created several game reserves and protected areas.

Mlilwane is one of the most accessible. The Hlane Game Reserve in the lowveld belongs to the king, who holds it in trust for the nation. Part of the land is a royal hunting preserve.

Mkhaya is a private reserve near Mlilwane where black rhino, elephant and Nguni cattle live.

Malolotja National Reserve is in western mountains and Mlawula Nature Reserve lies in the Lebombo Mountains next to Hlane Reserve.

Ligugu Lemaswati Cultural Village is a must see, where you can take in the ancestry of the Swazi culture Access to Swaziland, may be made through any of twelve border posts or the centrally located Matsapha airport with all four corners of the country accessible by tarred road.

The capital Mbabane, and the industrial hub of Manzini, are sophisticated business centres offering an upbeat alternative to the tranquillity and relaxation found in areas that are more outlying.

Towards the north to Hlane Wildlife Reserve. Hlane (meaning ‘wildernesses) is the Kingdom of Swaziland’s largest protected area. It is immense flat lowland thick with 1,000-year-old hardwood trees like knobthorn, leadwood and tambuti with some grasslands and shallow pans. The park has accommodation with an authentic bush feel in self-catering thatched huts without electricity. There is also a more modern self-catering camp with family cottages.

Great herds of wildebeest, zebra and impala are attracted to the waterholes during the dry winter months. Hlane is particularly noted for is many raptors including martial eagles, bateleurs, and longcrested eagles. There are also several species of vultures including whitebacked, whiteheaded, lappetfaced and the occasional Cape vulture.

Close to the Bhubesi Camp is the southern most nesting site of the large and somewhat ugly marabou stork.

Facts and Figures
Ethnic Groups: African 97%, European 3%
Areatotal: 17,363 sq km land: 17,203 sq km water: 160 sq km
Population: 1,136,334 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.)
Terrain: Mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Capital City: Mbabane
Climate: Temperate; cool to cold, dry winters; hot, wet summers
Languages: English (official, government business conducted in English), siSwati (official)
Religions: Zionist 40% (a blend of Christianity and indigenous ancestral worship) Roman Catholic 20% Muslim 10% Anglican, Bahai, Methodist, Mormon, Jewish and other 30%

Regions of Swaziland
Mlilwane
Hlane
Mkhaya
Malolotja
Mlawula