2018 is an exciting year for Swaziland, dubbed 'Africa in a nutshell' as it celebrates its 50th year since independence and King Mswati III's 50th birthday.
The '50/50' celebrations in April will be the undoubted highlight of the year but the country's stunning scenery; fascinating cultural experiences, thrilling safaris and exciting adventure activities are available all year round.
As 2018 is such a significant year for this charming Kingdom, over the coming months we’re going to deliver 50 reasons why Swaziland should be at the very top of your travel bucket list.
1. Swaziland celebrates its 50/50 in April – 50 years since Independence and 50th birthday of King Mswati III.
In true Swazi style, the celebrations on 19 April will be spectacular, attended by numerous neighbouring African heads of state, but also open to visitors.
2. The new Hilton Hotel opens in Mbabane in April. A newly-built luxury hotel and the first big international chain hotel ever in Swaziland, this is a very significant step in Swaziland’s tourism development
3. Although April is classed as a tourist low season, the weather is perfect with temperatures between 16-25C - ideal for exploring.
4. A number of tour operators launched new Swaziland trips at the start of the year that are now up and running, including a 5-day Overnight Trail on horse back with In the Saddle.
5. It’s Marula Season. Between February and mid-May Swaziland celebrates the harvest of the Marula fruit. Lots of festivities and lots of Marula beer being brewed.
Attractions
It is Swaziland’s variety of attractions in its small area that is its greatest asset.
It is the mixture of beautiful landscapes, fascinating wildlife, and rich culture that combine to make this small country such a wonderful place to visit.
Culture/People
A tiny country with a big heart and warm, friendly people aptly describes Swaziland – a country that is one of the few remaining Executive Monarchies in Africa and embraces and upholds its own unique and ancient traditions.
Both the monarchy and the people of Swaziland actively maintain and preserve a remarkable cultural heritage that is probably unmatched anywhere in Africa.
Visitors can get a better idea of traditional African culture here than pretty much anywhere else in the region.
What is seen, including spectacular festivals and energetic dances, has not simply been resuscitated for the tourist dollar but is the real deal.
The famous Umhlanga or Reed Dance and Incwala are traditional ceremonies that involve tens of thousand of Swazis, and attract visitors from all over the world.
But traditional attire, ceremonies and dancing are to be found throughout the country at all times of the year.
Wildlife
Swaziland's rich variety of landscapes and habitats gives it a profusion of fauna and flora, with the sheer number of species being mind-boggling by most European standards.
The country is not large enough to offer lots of big game experiences, but it has some 17 protected areas which are home to a very wide range of species, including the sought after Big 5.
As well as being one of the best places on the continent for rhino safaris on foot as well as by 4x4 and to see both black and white rhinos.
Swaziland is also the perfect place to get to grips with many smaller creatures often overlooked on safari elsewhere, and it is a bird-watcher’s paradise.
Landscape/Scenic
With the exception of desert and sea, every geographical feature of Africa’s terrain is found within Swaziland.
Magnificent mountain scenery with rivers, waterfalls and gorges; unique rock formations which are among the world’s most ancient; lush and fertile valleys, plus typical African bush.
From west to east, Swaziland moves from mountainous Highveld, though Middleveld to Lowveld, and then rises again to the Lubombo mountains.
Altitudes vary from 21 to 1800 m (70 to 6000 ft) – yet the country’s east and west borders are less than 200 km (125 miles) apart.
Arts & Crafts
Swaziland has a remarkably impressive range of traditional arts and crafts with many of its products now found in trendy ethnic boutiques around world.
Throughout the country men and women are at work creating the finest handicrafts that are so popular with visitors.
Creative basket ware in vibrant clours, wood and stone carvings, glassware, exquisite candles, batik items, jewellery – all uniquely Swazi.
In many places that they are on sale, there is also chance to see the craftspeople at work and marvel at their intricate skills.
Many are socially responsible outlets which provide both income and empowerment for their craftspeople from poor rural communities.
Activities
Swaziland’s mountains, valleys, rivers and other natural wonders make it the ideal choice for those seeking adventure, and even high adrenaline experiences.
In addition, the rich culture allows for less adrenaline-fueled activities.
All activities in Swaziland are available year-round, but for some suggestions of what to try when, have a look at our Swaziland Calendar, and don't forget all the Events that go in in Swaziland each year.
Cultural Activities
With Swaziland’s rich culture and strong traditions, this is a wonderful country to partake in some fascinating cultural activities.
The monarchy and the people of Swaziland actively maintain and preserve a remarkable cultural heritage, allowing visitors to get a better idea of traditional African culture here than pretty much anywhere else in the region.
What is seen, including spectacular festivals, has not simply been resuscitated for the tourist dollar but is the real deal.
Events
If there is one thing that Swaziland is known for around the world it is the magnificent traditional festivals that the country hosts- particularly the Umhlanga (Reed Dance) and Incwala ceremonies.
Both are living cultural events that, bar the odd wristwatch and mobile phone, have hardly changed in two hundred years.
Visitors are allowed to watch, but neither ceremony makes any concession to tourism; even the precise dates are not published in advance, being dependent on the vagaries of ancestral astrology.
The main events happen at the royal parade grounds at Ludzidzini but the mood of celebration sweeps the nation.
Visitors to the country around the time of the events will doubtless see wandering bands of warriors or maidens decked out in full regalia as they head to or from the festivities.
The modern event that has gained an international reputation in far fewer years is the Bushfire Festival – a performing arts festival held every May.
Swaziland’s annual calendar is a mix of traditional and modern events
Safaris
The many Game Parks and Nature Reserves across Swaziland protect a vast variety of animals. From the magnificent Big Five to warthogs, antelope and reptiles, Swaziland is home to numerous of Africa’s wild animal species.
The emphasis in Swaziland is to provide visitors with a more intimate wildlife experience in areas of natural beauty, and to allow them a certain amount of freedom to explore on their own terms.
This is no place for mass tourism and convoys of vehicles but instead, walks to learn about the bush and track rare species like black and white rhino.
As well as traditional 4x4 and walking safaris, some of Swaziland’s reserves can also be explored by mountain bike and on horseback.
In a number of the reserves visitors are free to move around independently, without the need for a guide or ranger.
There are even self catering options amongst the accommodation that allow you to be in charge of your own safari lodge in the bush.
There aren’t many places in the world where you can head off for your own bike ride and encounter zebra and bushbuck along the way, or take a stroll to see the giraffe before settling down to your own bush barbeque.
Birdwatching
Some 500 species of bird have been recorded in Swaziland. This puts it roughly on a par with France (517) or, more locally, the Kruger National Park (505), and is a remarkable tally for such a tiny, landlocked country.
This comes from its diversity of habitats, with several very different bird communities occurring side-by-side.
Outdoor Activities
With the massive variety of Swaziland’s natural landscapes, it’s no surprise that there is a wealth of outdoor activities available in this small, beautiful country.
The scenery can be explored on foot, by bike, on horseback and even by quad bike. And there are a even a few rivers and dams/reservoirs allowing for boat trips.
Adventure Activities
Swaziland’s mountains, valleys, rivers and other natural wonders make it the ideal choice for those seeking adrenaline activities.
It has built reputation for a variety of thrilling adventure activities that once again belies its small size. These include Caving, Canopy Tours, Climbing, Abseiling, Tubing and White Water Rafting.
Sports
There is no shortage of ways to keep fit and active in Swaziland. As well as the Outdoor Activities and Adventure Activities covered elsewhere, there are a number of sports on offer, including Fishing, Swimming, Golf, Tennis, Squash.
Gyms, spas, yoga and team building are also covered here. The best places to find most sporting facilities are Swaziland’s various Country and Golf Clubs – legacies of the country’s colonial past.
Water Sports
As a land-locked country, Swaziland has no coastline that would allow for the variety of beach activities and watersports found in neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique.
It does have a number of dams/reservoirs, and some magnificent rivers, that provide the opportunity for a few water-based activities, but these are covered elsewhere.
- Boat Trips can be found under Outdoor Activities
- Swimming and Fishing can be found under Sports
- White Water Rafting can be found under Adventure Activities
Shopping
In today's retail society, shopping is an ever more popular activity. Swaziland has a handful of modern malls, but the country's best shopping experiences come from the traditional handicrafts on offer.
Swaziland has a remarkably impressive range of traditional arts and crafts with many of its products now found in trendy ethnic boutiques around world.
Throughout the country men and women are at work creating and selling the finest handicrafts that are so popular with visitors.
Tourism Observer
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