Swaziland is a small independent kingdom within South Africa, like Lesotho in the Drakensberg Mountains. Inhabited by a single ethnic group, it’s a peaceful place, at its most colourful during the annual Umhlanga Reeds Festival.
Mbabane is the capital while the Ezulwini valley claims the main tourist hub. There are nature reserves across the kingdom and a popular Piggs’ Peak, named after an early resident.
Umhlanga Reeds Festival in Swaziland
The Umhlanga, or reeds festival, is held in the royal village of Ludzidzini. In early spring, maidens from all over the country gather to pay tribute to the Queen Mother who rules with her son, King Mswati III. Numbering some 20 000, children and teenagers bring heavy bundles of reeds to strengthen the royal enclosure.
On the last day, the girls parade in front of the king in a joyful kaleidoscope of beaded skirts, ceremonial sashes, bracelets, anklets, sabres and reeds. There is much music and dance, with onlookers wearing traditional wraps, red with shield or king image. Meanwhile, draped in loin cloth and feathers, Mswati III looks out for his next wife, if he so wishes, to join over a dozen to date. The Dlamini royal lineage must be assured.
Top Things to Do, Visit Ezulwini and Swaziland Nature Reserves
Relax in Ezulwini, the scenic Valley of Heaven, with its luxury hotels, spa, restaurants, golf course and craft markets. See the Houses of Parliament in Lobamba, the spiritual capital, and the National Museum with its fascinating displays of Swazi life.
Explore the nearby Mantenga Nature Reserve, home to baboons, velvet monkeys and myriad birds, such as the endangered bald ibis. There are spectacular waterfalls and a cultural village with beehive huts, kraal, reed fences and dance shows.
Visit the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and look out for white rhino, giraffe, crocodile, eland and the occasional leopard. Bird watching is best by the dam where 240 species have been recorded, among them blue cranes and plum-coloured starlings.
Further east, at the foot of the Lebombo Mountains, the Hlane Royal National Park is another good place to spot the wildlife, including lions and birds of prey. Join a game walk from the rest camp, easily accessed from the road.
Pigg's Peak and Mbabane, Capital of Swaziland
Pigg’s Peak in the northwest is an old gold mining village set among rolling hills. Today it’s more about forestry, with pine and eucalyptus plantations. The Phophonyane falls, the Nsangwini bushmen’s paintings and Malolotja, Swaziland’s largest nature reserve, are top attractions. The Piggs Peak casino and hotel is popular with folks from Johannesburg, just four hours away.
Mbabane is Swaziland's administrative capital and main shopping centre, especially for quality crafts, souvenirs and clothing. Traditional items include wood and soapstone carvings, bead work and woven cloth. There are old tin-roofed buildings, exotic produce in the market and an old street lamp bought through donations from Waterloo Bridge in London.
Mbabane is the capital while the Ezulwini valley claims the main tourist hub. There are nature reserves across the kingdom and a popular Piggs’ Peak, named after an early resident.
Umhlanga Reeds Festival in Swaziland
The Umhlanga, or reeds festival, is held in the royal village of Ludzidzini. In early spring, maidens from all over the country gather to pay tribute to the Queen Mother who rules with her son, King Mswati III. Numbering some 20 000, children and teenagers bring heavy bundles of reeds to strengthen the royal enclosure.
On the last day, the girls parade in front of the king in a joyful kaleidoscope of beaded skirts, ceremonial sashes, bracelets, anklets, sabres and reeds. There is much music and dance, with onlookers wearing traditional wraps, red with shield or king image. Meanwhile, draped in loin cloth and feathers, Mswati III looks out for his next wife, if he so wishes, to join over a dozen to date. The Dlamini royal lineage must be assured.
Top Things to Do, Visit Ezulwini and Swaziland Nature Reserves
Relax in Ezulwini, the scenic Valley of Heaven, with its luxury hotels, spa, restaurants, golf course and craft markets. See the Houses of Parliament in Lobamba, the spiritual capital, and the National Museum with its fascinating displays of Swazi life.
Explore the nearby Mantenga Nature Reserve, home to baboons, velvet monkeys and myriad birds, such as the endangered bald ibis. There are spectacular waterfalls and a cultural village with beehive huts, kraal, reed fences and dance shows.
Visit the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and look out for white rhino, giraffe, crocodile, eland and the occasional leopard. Bird watching is best by the dam where 240 species have been recorded, among them blue cranes and plum-coloured starlings.
Further east, at the foot of the Lebombo Mountains, the Hlane Royal National Park is another good place to spot the wildlife, including lions and birds of prey. Join a game walk from the rest camp, easily accessed from the road.
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Pigg's Peak and Mbabane, Capital of Swaziland
Pigg’s Peak in the northwest is an old gold mining village set among rolling hills. Today it’s more about forestry, with pine and eucalyptus plantations. The Phophonyane falls, the Nsangwini bushmen’s paintings and Malolotja, Swaziland’s largest nature reserve, are top attractions. The Piggs Peak casino and hotel is popular with folks from Johannesburg, just four hours away.
Mbabane is Swaziland's administrative capital and main shopping centre, especially for quality crafts, souvenirs and clothing. Traditional items include wood and soapstone carvings, bead work and woven cloth. There are old tin-roofed buildings, exotic produce in the market and an old street lamp bought through donations from Waterloo Bridge in London.