Cultural Heritage and Friendly People
THE landlocked mountain kingdom of Swaziland is a country rich in scenic beauty - a land of forests and fertile valleys, waterfalls and wildlife.
Swaziland is also a nation where past and present meet, a fascinating blend of the old and the new, a country with a rich cultural heritage, where the friendly people still wear traditional robes, skirts and colorful beadwork.
This makes it an interesting destination for those seeking the unspoiled, the unusual, the very spirit of old Africa. It is a place where young maidens dance before their king to pay homage and respect, where men still often dress in animal skins, where authority is revered and where the ways and customs of the ancestors is upheld and propagated. This is a land where art and culture are reflected in fine crafts - basket and beadwork, clay pots, stone and woodcarvings and ethnic sculptures.
Although not one of the region's safari destinations, Swaziland does, however, have all the Big Five in her wildlife reserves. Although small in size, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary - on the doorstep of the capital, Mbabane - stocks giraffe, zebra, antelope and warthog. Mkhaya Game Reserve has a greater abundance and diversity of animals, and also the opportunity to experience game drives in 4 x 4 vehicles or walks through the bush in the company of experienced rangers.
Swaziland is best included in a Southern African adventure on one of the self-drive packages between Durban and the great wildlife areas of South Africa. The capital, Mbabane, is however, accessible via scheduled air flights from Johannesburg and Durban.
