Swaziland

The landlocked Kingdom of Swaziland is surrounded on the north and south by South Africa, and on the east is bordered by Mozambique. The Kingdom provides travelers the ideal gateway between KwaZulu-Natal and the Kruger National Park, as well as Johannesburg and Maputo – no better route is available with added advantage of discovering a whole new country filled with bygone African traditions and Swazi Culture. Swaziland covers an area of approximately 193 kilometres from north to south, and 145 kilometres from east to west. Small as it may be, Swaziland is an exciting tourist destination with its Arts and Crafts outlets and traditional markets and wildlife reserves.

• The art and craft outlets and traditional markets of Swaziland are undoubtedly one of the Kingdom’s greatest attractions.
• Whether wanting a souvenir of an African holiday, a key decorative feature for a living room or office or maybe a special present for a love one back home, hours can be spent in the grip of Swaziland’s handcraft industry.
• Visitors to the kingdom of Swaziland will be delighted by the wide range of quality craftwork sold in specialists stores and roadside markets throughout the Country.
• A thriving handicrafts industry combines the best of traditional design and modern techniques and a stop at a roadside market will yield both a bargain and the opportunity of meeting the Swazi people.
• Wooden sculpture, painstaking soapstone carvings, glassware, mohair, tapestries, imaginative pottery, and silk-screened batik’s and clothing present an array of colours, textures and designs to tempt every pocket.
• The truly traditional Swazi craft is grass weaving. Mats in all sizes and baskets, for every use are produced. One type of basket work is so closely woven it will store liquids, the basket itself absorbing some of the fluid and keeping the contents cool by evaporation
• Artists and craftsmen are found in every corner of the country.
• The road through Ezulwini (near Royal Swazi Sun Hotel) has, however, become the center of the Swazi craft industry with numerous outlets and small markets on either side of the road.
• The Manzini Market and emerging outlets on the road to Siteki and Lavumisa are some of the other venues to choose from.

• The oldest and most visited Swazi park, Mlilwane is situated within easy reach of the popular Ezulwini and Malkerns tourism hubs. The Sanctuary is a tranquil retreat for the weary and a scenic family paradise.
• Allow your senses to take in the refreshing surroundings on horseback, mountain bikes, open Land Rover tours and foot trails.
• For the more adventurous, our overnight horse trails offer a fantastic outdoor riding experience on beautiful Arabian ponies, through the Sanctuary and into the mountains which afford a breathtaking panoramic view of the “Valley of Heaven” know as Ezulwini.
• Open your lungs by climbing to the top of a mountain and looking out at infinity or swim in the mountain springs.
• For the discerning traveller the stunning Reilly’s Rock Lodge, or Kagogo (‘granny’s place’) as it is affectionately known, is an exclusive and fascinating venue, offering a historical perspective of early Swaziland, and Mlilwane’s founding family.
• 24 hour access to the Sanctuary is a valuable feature for late arrivals, business travellers and those on night excursions to other nearby attractions.

Accommodations

• • Rest Camp
    • The Mlilwane Rest Camp is found in the southern corner of the reserve, in the midst of a well-matured rehabilitated area. Tall indigenous trees, all grown from seed, now tower over the camp overlooking an artificially created wetland system, which is home to hippopotamus, crocodile and a variety of water birds including infrequent visiting fish eagles.
    • The camp is unfenced, yet relatively safe as only smaller species of wildlife occur in the Sanctuary. The camp is tranquil and relaxing with a continual stream of animals such as impala, warthog and nyala – ostrich too, walking between the facilities quietly tolerant of human presence.
    • There is a semi-circle of 8 rustic Rest Camp huts around the central Rest camp area, all consisting of a single room with an en-suite bathroom. The first six are wooden and thatch huts and the last two are Swazi Style grass beehives.

• Beehive Village
  • The two villages have the look and feel of traditional Swazi homesteads with grass dome-shaped huts arranged in semi-circles, central log fires and seating areas, all semi-enclosed by traditional Swazi kraal fencing.
  • The huts are simple and sparsely furnished containing beds, a small table, bedside light and fan. Some are en suite with their own bathrooms attached.
  • More than 40 people can be accommodated in the village without bathrooms and an additional 30 in the en-suite beehive village.
• Shonalanga
  • Situated in the Mlilwane Rest Camp, overlooking the Mhlambanyatsi River, is the Shonalanga cottage. Self catering and suitable for a large family group with its own private braai area and not too far from the swimming pool.
• Nyonyane Camp
  • Nyonyane Camp is a quiet, private self-catering camp on Mlilwane’s eastern boundary with Lobamba, overlooking the Mdzimba and Logogo mountains. Travelling through the Sanctuary, it is approximately 6 Km from the Rest Camp.
  • The tranquil camp consists of 4 log cabins and camp patrons can enjoy visits from nyala, warthog, zebras and vervet monkeys and evenings around a communal campfire.

• In the south east is Mkhaya – Swaziland’s refuge for endangered species – where the animals feel so unthreatened and have such confidence in their world that visitors can literally associate with elephant, rhino, buffalo, and a host of other creatures at little more than an arms length.
• Black rhino are also a feature of Mkhaya. It is pure Nature Magic. Mkhaya is also where the pure Swazi Nguni – Swaziland’s own indigenous breed of cattle – was saved from extinction for posterity.
• “Closer to nature” is the main focus of this unique reserve and its no-nonsense approach to unpretentious outings is becoming evermore popular with travelers sick of over-commercialisation and loss of the real Africa.
• As Swaziland’s Refuge for Endangered Species, Mkhaya is a modern day success story for rhino conservation. Black and white rhino, as well as elephant, buffalo and many other species of rare game are easily tracked for visitors by the same skilled Swazi rangers whose efforts ensure its survival.

Accommodations

• Stone Camp
  • Managed and hosted entirely by friendly Swazi staff, the daily camp routine revolves in true romantic fashion around delicious meals on the fire, Landrover excursions, guided walks and evenings under a myriad of stars. Two night visits recommended.
  • A special Landrover daytour between 10H00 and 16H00 allows access for day trippers and local residents.
  • Mkhaya is the Kingdom’s VIP destination.
  • Please Note: No children allowed under the age of 6 years old
  • Laid out along the banks of a dry river bed, the vegetation comprises of tall fig, leadwood, sausage and knobthorn trees, with a lush under-canopy giving it a year-round subtropical appearance.
  • Bird life in the camp is a special feature with many species of robin, purple-crested lourie, narina trogan and pink-throated twinspots among the special treats. Smaller game such as warthog visit the camp whilst the big game, such as elephant, is kept at bay outside the camp by a three-strand electric cordon.
  • The camp is comfortable, quiet and relaxing and a welcome retreat after a day out in the burning sun.
  • The camp is known as ‘Stone Camp’ due to the dolerite rocks used in the construction of the semi-open stone and thatch cottages. This unique style accommodation in its primeval setting offers visitors the opportunity of really getting back to nature.
  • All twelve units are laid out individually in the riverine forest overlooking the dry riverbed, linked by central and branch pathways surfaced with riversand and lit at night by paraffin lanterns as the camp has no electricity.
  • Each unit is totally private due to the thick vegetation, though some units are close enough together for use as an extended family unit.
  • The entire internal structure of these cottages, although veilded for privacy, is open to the external bush, which gives visitors a totally unique, true bush experience.