Africa Swaziland - culture and traditions flourish alongside some modern luxury  by Gerald Crawford 

Swaziland is a tiny mountainous Kingdom, sandwiched between South Africa and Mozambique, has been dubbed the 'Switzerland of Africa'. African culture and traditions flourish here alongside some modern luxury hotels and excellent wildlife reserves. Swaziland is the smallest country in the southern hemisphere, but it has a big heart despite its depressed economy. The capital, Mbabane, lies at the northern end of the lush Ezulwini Valley: a small, unpretentious town that caters well for tourists. Among the country's main attractions are Mlilwane, a well-established game sanctuary; the magnificent Mantenga Falls; the casino resort of Piggs Peak; and the annual ceremony of the reed dances at the Royal Kraal in Lebombo on the country's eastern border. Swaziland is also known for its exquisite arts and crafts and its breathtaking scenery, especially in the western highlands, which rise to more than 6,000 feet (1,829m), riven with abundant rivers, waterfalls and forested gorges.

The landlocked Kingdom of Swaziland is surrounded on the north and south by provinces of South Africa, and on the east is bordered by Mozambique. The Kingdom provides travellers 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 culture.

With an area of just over 17,000 square kilometres, Swaziland is the smallest country in the southern hemisphere (comparable to the size of Wales in the United Kingdom, and the stae of New Jersey in America). 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 art and craft outlets and traditional markets and wildlife reserves. At Mlilwane Game Reserve tame birds and animals are free to come and go and wander through the camp grounds. Mkhaya Game Reserve offers visitors the opportunity of game viewing by open Landrover with guides.

A major attraction for the visit to Swaziland is the casinos. These are located at the Royal Swazi Sun Hotel complex, in the heart of the Ezulwini Valley, between Mbabane and Manzini, at the Nhlangano Sun in the South, and at the Protea Piggs Peak Hotel and Casino in the North.

Swaziland offers many scenic drives. North of Mbabane, the road to Luve is known as Pine Valley with a series of waterfalls on the Black Umbeluzi River and the granite heights of "Bald Rock". The drive to Piggs Peak, in the north is one of the most scenic in the country. The Malolotja Nature Reserve lies to the west of the road and here, after a stiff walk, you can view the Malolotja Falls, the highest in Swaziland.

Swaziland also hosts a large number of internationally renowned hotels and a number of thermal springs where visitors can relax and unwind, like the Spa at the Royal Swazi Sun.

Conditions in Swaziland vary according to altitude, with the higher areas being generally cloudy, misty and several degrees cooler than the rest of the country. The mountainous region in the west, where most tourists spend their time, is humid and wet, the rain falling in occasional violent storms. In the middle and lowland regions conditions are drier, the climate ranging from sub-tropical to tropical as one moves east. The rainy season is generally between October and May and is warm and wet, while cooler and drier conditions prevail from June to September.

Come for a visit. 

About the author:

Gerald Crawford: born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa and the United Kingdom.  Website Address