Top 10 Things to See and Do in Swaziland
In the summer of 2013, I visited the African country of Swaziland, also known as the Kingdom of Eswanti, which is a tiny, landlocked principality that borders Mozambique and South Africa.
Subscribe & Click the Bell for 2+ Videos Per Week ►
My Film Making Kit ►
Even though it’s small, it’s incredibly diverse. I want to take you on a tour of the top 10 things you have to see and do when you go there. Are you ready to come along with me? Let’s get started.
Mbuluzi, a private game reserve that boasts an amazing number of grazing animals like giraffes, impala, zebra, kudu and nyala. It is roughly 3,000 hectares in area and borders the Lubombo Mountains, Mlawula Nature Reserve and Hlane Royal Park. Mbuluzi doesn’t contain any predators, so it’s safe to drive, walk, or cycle through the park without the supervision of a guide, although you can reserve a game drive with a guide if you want.
Sibebe Rock, the second largest monolith in the world after Uluru in the Northern Territory of Australia, and one of Swaziland’s iconic attractions. It towers over 350 meters above the valley of the Mbuluzu River and was named after a rock climber who tragically lost his life scaling the rock.
Shewula Mountain Camp, Swaziland’s first community-owned eco-tourism attraction. This beautiful and unique camp, set in the Shewula Nature Reserve, offers village walks that allow visitors to get to know the local community and residents, witness traditional song and dance performances, visit a local healer, and enjoy the natural beauty of the reserve.
Swazi Candles Craft Market, a unique shopping center containing gift shops and boutiques that showcase the craftsmanship of local artisans, including wood carvers, basket weavers, jewelers, and mask makers. In the market’s namesake shop, Swazi Candles, you can buy colorful paraffin wax candles that have been molded and sculpted, by hand, into various animal shapes.
Swazi Trails is the only white water rafting tour operator in the country, and therefore this adventure is the only one of its kind in Swaziland. A trained Swazi Trails river guide will accompany you for either a half day or full day, depending on which package you buy, and no prior experience is needed on your part.
Hlane Royal National Park, the largest game park in Swaziland. The park covers roughly 85 square miles and features four of the Big 5 safari animals: elephants, rhinos, leopards, and my favorite, lions, like this guy I had to wake up super early to catch! It was also amazing to come across so many rhinos during my game drives.
Ngwenya Glass Factory in the town of Motshane. It is regarded as the most prestigious glass factory in Africa. Here, you can watch the professionals make beautiful and intricate glass creations, including decorative bowls, wine glasses, chess sets, and animals like whales, fish, gazelles and even the Big 5.
Mantenga Cultural Village, which features Swaziland’s top traditional song and dance show and is located in the beautiful Mantenga Falls Nature Reserve. After enjoying the traditional harmonies and energetic dances, you can tour a reconstruction of an 1850s Swazi hut village and learn about the tradition diet, customs, and family structure from local guides.
Mkhaya Game Reserve, one of Swaziland’s big game parks. Here, you can find a wide variety of wildlife, including black and white rhinos, elephants, giraffes, sable antelope, and buffalo. While the white rhino is endangered in Africa, Mkhaya is the best place in Swaziland to see one. The accommodations here are incredible.
Umhlanga Reed Dance, a fascinating, eight-day long cultural event that takes place at the Queen Mother’s Royal Residence, during which tens of thousands of the nation’s unmarried women cut reeds and carry them back to the Royal Residence, where they are used as windbreakers for the perimeter. The seventh day of the reed festival is a national holiday, and is when the king participates and thousands of spectators come out to see the women dance and celebrate the Queen Mother.
And there you have it! The top ten things you must see and do when you go to Swaziland. I hope you enjoyed this video, and that it inspired you to visit this amazing country. If you loved this video, please give it a thumbs up, leave me a comment below, and subscribe to my channel. Thanks for watching, and I will see you in the next travel adventure!
☆ CONTACT ☆
► Business: david@godandbeauty.com
_____
BLOG ►
_____
BOOK YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE: ►
_____
FOLLOW ME:
+ INSTAGRAM ►
+ FACEBOOK ►
+ TWITTER ►
_____
#Davidsbeenhere #Swaziland #SwazilandTravelGuide
_____
SEND ME STUFF:
5858 SW 81 ST
Miami, FL 33143
USA
_____
P.S. Thank you for watching my videos and subscribing!
Top Safari Parks in Swaziland
Top Safari Parks in Swaziland
►Subscribe and click the bell to enable notifications for my new videos:
►Read the blog:
The Kingdom of Swaziland is a landlocked country in southern Africa, bordered by South Africa and Mozambique. Unlike the crowded safari parks of South Africa, Swaziland boasts an impressive variety of animals without the mass tourism to spoil the experience.
Here are four of Swaziland’s top safari parks!
Hlane Royal National Park is the largest national park in the country and has the largest conservation of game in the kingdom. They have the 4 of the big 5 missing the buffalo. My highlights were the Rhino and Lions.
Hlane covers an area of about 85 square miles. In the dryer months the animals are easy to spot gathered around the watering holes. It was so amazing to see so many rhinos on my game drives. There were also giraffes, elephants, and of course my favorite – lions. I had to wake up extra early to spot this guy, but it was totally worth it. There are two camps to choose from in Hlane.
Next up is Mbuluzi, a private game reserve with an impressive number of grazing animals. It covers an area of 3,000 hectares and borders the Lubombo Mountains, Mlawula Nature Reserve and Hlane Royal Park.
We are going on a game drive with our own vehicle, but you can also reserve a game drive at the reception with one of the guides.
Since there are no predatory animals here visitors enjoy the privilege of driving, walking or cycling around the reserve freely, without the supervision of a guide. Here, you won’t find the Big 5 but you will spot several giraffes! The park is also home to impala, zebra, kudu and nyala.
Mkaya Game Reserve was established in the mid 1980's and at the moment we are heading on a game drive to see black rhino, white rhino and elephants. Mkaya is one of the best parks in Swaziland to see Rhino up close.
The white rhino is endangered in Africa. If you are looking to see rhino in Swaziland this is the park to visit. There are two lodges in Mkhaya to choose from, the luxurious Stone Camp and the more rustic Lituba Lodge.
And last but not least, this is Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. This was the first wildlife sanctuary to be established in the country in the year 1961. Some of the animals we can see here are wildebeest, zebra, hippo, antelope and crocodiles.
You’ll notice that the landscape here is different because the park is situated in Swaziland;s Ezulwini Valley, between Mbabane and Manzini. The park is divided into northern and southern sections.
The wide open spaces allow for great visibility and epic photo opportunities. There are four lodges here, three of which are budget friendly.
There are the top 4 safari parks in Swaziland! Which was your favorite? Leave me a question or comment below!
☆ CONTACT ☆
↠ Business: david@godandbeauty.com
↠ Questions:
☆ Equipment Used ☆
↠ Main Camera -
↠ Main Lens -
↠ Second Lens -
↠ Tripods:
↠ SD Cards:
↠ LaCie Rugged Hard Drive:
☆ T-shirts available now ☆
↠
Production by Carlos de Varona from Chromahouse.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Snapchat: @davidsbeenhere
Instagram:
Facebook:
Blog: