Swaziland, locally known as eSwatini, is located in Southern africa, it has been divided into four regions: Hhohho, Manzini, Lubombo and Shiselweni. Its capital and largest city is Mbabane, its is small in area, Its busiest city is Manzini City. The official languages in Swaziland are Siswati and English. Swaziland is surrounded by land and its neighbouring countries are South Africa (North, South and west) and Mozambique.
Swaziland's international airport is located in the town of Manzini. The Royal and legislative capital is Lobamba situated half way between Mbabane and Manzini.
Swaziland tourism attraction is its scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage. The area of swaziland is 17,364 square kilometers. Swaziland offers a variety of landscapes, such as the mountains along the Mozambique border, savannas in the east and rain forests in the Northwest.
The culture and tradition in Swaziland is very unique, one can witness the Reed Dance performance, an annual event that attracts thousands of tourists. It is done by thousands of Swazi maidens in their traditional dress. These girls come from all over the country for the ceremony, the ceremony lasts for approximately 8 days. Only childless, unmarried girls can take part in the event. The aim of the Reed Dance Ceremony is to preserve the girls' virginity, the tradition is aimed at encouraging young Swazi women to abstain from sexual activities and to preserve their virginity until they are matured enough to get married. The aim is to also provide tribute labour for the Queen mother, the reeds that the girls cut are taken to the main royal household where they are used as wind breakers for the Queen mother. The aim is to also to promote a spirit of oneness and solidarity amoung the girls by working together. As well as watch parts of the sacred Ncwala ceremony where the King actively participates and there are also the energetic Sibhaca dancers. Handcraft is done by Swazilands talented men and women and this is very popular with the visitors.
The Nature Reserves in Swaziland protect vast variety of animal such as the Big Five, warthogs, antelope and reptiles as well as bird and flora. Some Game Parks/Reserves available in Swaziland's are Malolotja, Mantenga and Mlawula they provide many activities for tourists such as picnics, walk trails, hiking trails, bird watching, fishing and many more. Swaziland's most popular activities include bird watching with almost 500 species of birds found all over the country and hiking.
Tour options include self-drive sometimes with a compulsory guide, tours in the reserves own 4x4 vehicles, guided horses and walking trails.
Swaziland has many beautiful sceneries such as mountain scenary with rivers, waterfalls and gorges, it has unique ancient rock formations, fertile valleys and typical african bush.
Bird watching - Bird watching in Swaziland is one of the quieter and more relaxing outdoor activites. The best time for bird watching is early morning as this is when birding is at its busiest since many birds are at their hungriest, while they search actively for food they are easier to observe.
Game Viewing - For big Five game viewing Swaziland's game reserves and nature reserves are highly recommended. Visitors at Swaziland's game resereves and nature reserves have access to game viewing vehicles and are free to follow the marked guided or self guided trails.
Accommodation that is available in Swaziland is bush camps and traditional huts in the nature reserves as well as bed and breakfasts, hotels, lodges and back packing.
Climate in Swaziland varies according to altitude, with the higher areas being generally cloudy and cooler than the rest of Swaziland. The climate in the mountains along the Mozambique border is humid and wet, tourists are mostly attracted to this part of Swaziland. The rainy season is generally between October and May and is also humid and wet . And the cooler, drier conditions are generally between Junt and September.
Swaziland Latest News
[Swazi Media]Without the hint of a blush on his cheek, Swaziland's unelected Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku has branded democrats who are calling for a boycott of this year's national election, 'cowards'.
[Swazi Media]Members of political parties advocating for democracy in Swaziland will not be allowed to become members of the Swazi Senate, the kingdom's Prime Minister Barnabas Dlamini has decreed.
[Swazi Media]The African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa is the latest organisation to condemn Swaziland's use of security forces to brutally quash democracy protests.
[Swazi Media]This is a tale of democracy and two neighbouring nations: the kingdom of Swaziland and the Republic of South Africa.
[Swazi Media]The Media Institute for Southern Africa has called on the managing editor of Swaziland's only independent newspaper group to resign because he is too close to King Mswati III.
[Swazi Media]Five of Swaziland's biggest prodemocracy groups have demanded the South African Government recall its High Commissioner from the kingdom after he appeared to publicly support King Mswati III's autocratic regime and undermine their own campaign for multiparty democracy.
[MISA]Police spies have infiltrated journalism newsrooms in Swaziland, the kingdom's premier media watchdog has reported.
[MISA]The Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) has called on the managing editor of Swaziland's only independent newspaper group to resign because he is too close to King Mswati III.
[allAfrica]Cape Town -Voter registration is under way in Swaziland amid calls from opposition parties to boycott an electoral process that some have described as a mere formality.
[Swazi Media]Asked whether his imprisonment would dampen his political activism, Wonder Mkhonza replied "of course not! The threat of jail can no longer dent our spirit as we push for democracy in Swaziland."
[ANC]The African National Congress (ANC) is deeply concerned about the current political environment in neighbouring Swaziland where a group of unarmed civilians involved in a peaceful demonstration has been violently broken up by security forces.
[Swazi Media]According to a statement today from PUDEMO national spokesperson, Zakhele Mabuza, Wonder Mkhonza has been granted a bail of 15 000 emalangeni, approximately 1650 US$, writes Kenworthy News Media.
[IRIN]Mbabane -It was an ambitious plan to circumcise the majority of men in Swaziland, an effort to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in a country with the world's highest HIV prevalence. How could it have gone wrong?
[COSATU]When the new South African High Commissioner to Swaziland, HE Mahlangu, presented his credentials to King Mswati, the Swazi Observer of the 3rd May reported him as saying :
[Swazi Media]Police spies have infiltrated journalism newsrooms in Swaziland, the kingdom's premier media watchdog has reported.
[Swazi Media]Freedom House, the international human rights group, has blamed King Mswati III personally for the 'catastrophic' decline in Swaziland's economy and its standing in the world.
[Swazi Media]"Swaziland is a dictatorship where the king rules by decree. You should go there to see for yourselves how PUDEMO-members and those who are associated with them are treated.
[Pambazuka]Freedom of the press and the existence of political parties do not exist in Africa's only kingdom of Mswati III of Swaziland. The fine imposed on the publisher of the Nation magazine by the Swazi High Court continues the suffocation of the Swazi press and journalists.
[Swazi Media]The Swaziland Editors' Forum has expressed it support for Bheki Mabhuza, the editor of the Nation magazine, who has been convicted of 'scandalising the court' because he criticised the Swazi judiciary.
[OSISA]The recent conviction of the Nation Magazine and its editor, Bheki Makhubu, for criminal contempt of court proves just how desperate King Mswati's regime is to maintain the status quo in Swaziland. High Court Judge Bheki Maphalala issued the verdict that sent shock waves throughout the Kingdom and beyond on April 17 based on two articles the magazine published in 2009 criticising the judiciary and the Chief Justice, Michael Ramodibedi.
[MISA]The Media Institute of Southern Africa's (MISA) Swaziland Chapter will commemorate World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) by presenting a petition on the violations of media freedoms to the Municipal Council.
[Swazi Media]In April 2013 Bheki Makhubu the editor of the Nation magazine in Swaziland and its owners, Swaziland Independent Publishers, were convicted of 'scandalising the court' after two articles criticising the judiciary were published in 2009 and 2010. Makhubu and the publisher were fined a total of E400,000 (US$44,000) by the Swaziland High Court, of which half had to be paid within three days or Makhubu would immediately be sent to jail for two years.
[COSATU]The Congress of South African Trade Unions is deeply appalled by the continued onslaught and harassment against the leadership and members of the Swaziland trade union federation, TUCOSWA, and the intensified state of terror and repression of fundamental rights to organise and free expression in Swaziland.
[Swazi Media]A senior trade union leader in Swaziland was illegally placed under house arrest today (1 May 2013) by police who wanted to prevent him attending a May Day rally.
[Swazi Media]April 2013 has been one of the worst months in living memory for human rights in Swaziland.
[Swazi Media]Police cracked down on democracy protesters in Swaziland today (1 May 2013) as workers tried to celebrate May Day.
[Swazi Media]Police are expected to clash with trade unionists in Swaziland today (1 May 2013) as workers try to celebrate May Day, despite a court ban.
[Swazi Media]A youth leader in Swaziland has been charged with sedition because he allegedly tried to organise a meeting to discuss the forthcoming elections in the kingdom.
[Swazi Media]King Mswati III's US$3.6 million birthday party was privately sponsored and did not cost the Swazi people anything, the government has claimed.
[Swazi Media]King Mswati III views all opposition to the elections in his kingdom later this year as 'treason', the Communist Party of Swaziland (CPS) said.