SWAZILAND: Visiting Swaziland 2017

First opening in 1967, Hlane Royal National park, home to largest herds of game in the country, celebrates 50 years in 2017. The word Hlane means 'wilderness' in siSwati. Here visitors can track the country's lion population, elephant and rhino. Due to outstanding anti-poaching success, only 3 rhinos have been poached in Swaziland in the last 20 years, compared with up to 5 a day in other African countries.

Sibebe Rock is the second largest freestanding rock in the world, pipped to the top by Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia. But Swaziland has its own thoughts o this as Ayers rock has many cracks, meaning it is not a whole piece! Not only do we think its bigger, Sibebe is nearly 2.5 billion years old too. Whilst baron-looking Ayers Rock sees over 500,000 visitors a year, Sibebe has beautifully vegetated cliffs and for the moment offers peace and solitude as you wander its trails. It even has a population of wild horses living amongst the grasslands, but don't let them drag you away!

A perfect and compact choice for adventure seekers - Swaziland offers caving, canopy tours, tubing, rafting or even climbing to the highest summit in Swaziland, Emlembe. Explore Swaziland by bike and have the opportunity to cycle alongside zebras on a mountain bike safari - you will not be lost for things to do.

Swazi crafts are hitting the catwalk! High quality arts & crafts that support local communities have become a mainstay of Swaziland. These include the likes of KhoKho, a boutique handbag company that is made by the hands of local women in Swaziland and so stylish it commands a £460 price tag. These exquisite bags have been featured in Vogue, Elle, and Condé Nast Traveller.