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
The myriad crises afflicting Swaziland can only be solved with a holistic approach, not a piecemeal one, the World Food Programme (WFP) deputy executive director, Sheila Sisulu, said during a recent tour of the country.
The myriad crises afflicting Swaziland can only be solved with a holistic approach, not a piecemeal one, the World Food Programme (WFP) deputy executive director, Sheila Sisulu, said during a recent tour of the country.
A recent court ruling has finally given Swazi women the right to own and administer property in their own names.
It should be a proud moment for the Ugandan telecommunication industry, but the appointment of Philip Besiimire, a Ugandan, as acting CEO of Swazi MTN, has instead sparked off a public and media outcry in Swaziland.
Mozambican President Armando Guebuza, who is the current chairperson of the SADC (Southern African Development Community) Troika for Politics, Defence and Security, is confident that the SADC strategy drafted by the Troika summit in Maseru on Sunday and Monday will help Lesotho overcome the prolonged crisis that followed the February 2007 parliamentary elections.
The High Court of Swaziland ruled on 23 February 2010 that some married women will be allowed to register property in their own name. It has been five years since the new Constitution granted women equal status, after centuries of being classified and treated as minors.
Every Tuesday you will find 70-year-old Precious Dlamini under a tree, weighing children and babies from her local community as she monitors their health and nutrition.
Senior policy-makers from the Kingdom of Swaziland met last month to discuss the significant challenges in implementing local government reforms.
The head of the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) has called for a greater national response to the disease in Swaziland, which has the highest rate of HIV prevalence in the world, with more than one in every four people infected.
Jabulile Dlamini* is sweet sixteen and has never been kissed. And she is not expecting to be kissed any time soon or to even receive any gifts this Valentine's Day.
PERENNIAL continental club football campaigners Mbabane Highlanders of Swaziland have declared war on CAPS United and threatened to take advantage of the hosts' lack of game time to upstage the Premiership giants.
FORMER Dynamos' goalkeeper Zondai Nyaungwa is contemplating to quit Swaziland club Mbabane Highlanders over unpaid salary, in the latest of a series of problems facing Zimbabweans at the club.