100% Africa !

In the vast bushveld expanse of eastern Swaziland, where the hot still sun of Africa beats on the dry, but life-giving soils as it has for thousands of years, is what you as a visitor will find when exploring the Hlane Royal National Park. Named by King Sobhuza II, its adjacent dispersal areas cover 30 000 hectares of Swazi bushveld, dominated by ancient hardwood vegetation. In the cool dusky evenings, you’ll hear the rumbling roars of the lions, and you’ll be able to find elephant and white rhino, along with an abundant and diverse birdlife, along with the nesting of white backed vultures in Africa. Take a game drive along the network of self-drive game roads that criss-cross the park’s flat terrain. It weaves between the 1000 year old hardwood vegetation, and shallows pans attracting great herds of animals, during the dry winter months. Head for the bush and experience the sights and sounds of Hlane against the roar of Hlane’s magnificent lions – definitely the symbol of royalty, as well as the pride of Swaziland.
If you are going to Swaziland, you need to book yourself into this stunning Bush Lodge. Hlathikhulu has everything and more! Situated in the heart of the park, it is elevated on a terrace overlooking the Black Mfolozi River. With excellent opportunities for walks into parts of Imfolozi, an area the most people never see. Situated in a well grown stand of umThombothi trees in a park like setting, with the grass grazed short, by the resident group of white rhino. As you sip your morning early morning coffee, your view from the deck stretches down across the Black Mfolozi River where crocodiles and hippos come to drink. And in the evening, a visitor can see a variety of animals make their way out of the surrounding bush, to drink ever so cautiously from the edge of the river.
Choose from four 2-bed units, with en-suite shower and toilet linked by wooden walkways to a central living area. As a visitor, your needs will be attended to by the staff who cook and clean and a field ranger who on request, takes visitors on walks through the African bush. The cooks can produce a variety of tasty meals to suit the bush lodge lifestyle. The exciting part about this, is that the bush camps and lodges only cater for one party at a time, so for the period of your stay, this becomes your home in the African bush!
Named after William Peak, Piggs Peak is found in the northern parts of the country, namely, the Hhohho region. Famously known for its spectacular gold mining, which was mined during the years 1889 and 1957 respectively, this town is not only known for its gold, but also the accommodation with luxurious hotels and casinos, lodges and guest houses it provides for visitors.
If you’re passing through on your way to the Kruger National Park, Orion Piggs Peak hotel which located on the main route, between Kruger National Park and Mbabane, making it the perfect stopover. It is also the biggest hotel found in this area. As a visitor, you won’t find it necessary to gallivant while you’re at Piggs, there is a redecorated and a wonderful resort for tourists at the Bulembu Lodge. This town is overflowing with accommodation, with plenty of things to do, places to see and with the time line being “Africa Time”, nothing is done in a hurry, and so perhaps for this reason, people here are very friendly. This is a holiday destination you don’t want to miss the opportunity of taking!

Welcome to the amazingly picturesque Kingdom of Swaziland! As you travel through this beautiful country, you’ll discover, as many others already have, that Swaziland has a quaint offering of diverse vegetation at every turn, something one would expect from a larger country. Borne out of an ancient dynasty of royal leadership, in this present-day, it is reflected in the status according to the King and Queen Mother, a unique dual monarchy. It may be among the smallest countries on the continent and one of Africa’s remaining monarchies – but there’s far more novelty value on offer here.
Crossing the border, you are almost able to feel the undercurrent of tension from South Africa fade away as you enter this friendly, easy-going little country. This makes it a relaxing stopover on the trip between Mozambique and South Africa. It’s also surprising as to how much there is to do in Swaziland. Think of the royal ceremonies, the excellent wildlife reserves, the superb scenery, this should all be more than enough reason.
Hlane Royal National Park, an eyeful of white rhinos, lions and antelopes – and you have plenty of camping options available. Situated in the northeast near the former royal hunting grounds, this park offers wonderfully low-key wildlife watching. With white rhinos and antelope, you won’t regret it. Elephants and lions have also been welcomed again. Enjoy yourself with either a guided walk, a two-hours wildlife day drive, a cultural village tour which includes dance performances, or with mountain-bike trails.
Choose between Ndlovu Camp, a pleasant and rustic fenced off camp, a communal area and a restaurant, but beware, there’s no electricity at this camp, so it’s back to basics; or choose from Bhubesi Camp which are self-contained huts with electricity.
Pass through Mbanane on your way to Ezulwini and Malkerns Valleys, re-known for its picturesque scenery and for its handicrafts. Starting near Mbanane and going all the way down past Lobamba Village, 18km’s away, you’ll find the homeland of the Swazi Royalty. Lobamba Valley is lush with greenery, however it’s becoming less picturesque with all the hotels and other developments.
With the majority of the population being ethnic Swazi, mixed with a small number of Zulus and non-Africans, you’re in for an experience of a lifetime. Traditionally, the history of the Swazis has been of farmers and herders, but now, some work in the growing urban formal economy and in government, with some Swazis working in the mines in South Africa. When it comes to religion, Christianity in Swaziland is sometimes mixed with traditional beliefs. You’ll find that the official languages spoken in Swaziland are SiSwati, which is a language related to Zulu, and English. Everyday business and governmental business, is mainly completed in English.
A major festival that is celebrated is the Reed Dance performed every August at Ludzidzini – which is the home of the Royal Swaziland household. The purpose of the Reed Dance festival is to give King Mswati III the opportunity to add to his ever-growing number of wives. The maidens dance before the queen, and the king chooses his next wife, an honour a girl cannot refuse although it’s by free choice the maidens attend the dance.

Dying for a relaxed holiday and just don’t know where to begin planning or where to go?  Why not try Swaziland for a holiday with a difference. Rent a vehicle from a car rental company and enjoy a slow drive through the Malolotja Nature Reserve.  If you enjoy walking, you can also view the Malolotja Falls, the highest in Swaziland.  Then, with a large number of internationally renowned hotels, thermal springs and a spa at the Royal Swazi Sun await your tired body.  And as you continue to travel the country, you will discover that Swaziland offers diverse vegetation.