THE KINGDOM OF SWAZILAND
SOUTHERN AFRICA'S LANDLOCKED MONARCHY
The Kingdom of Swaziland, also known for being Southern Africa's landlocked monarchy, is home to a thriving culture, wildlife and nature reserves. One of the major drawcards for tourists throughout the year has to be the unsurpassed splendor of Swaziland's scenery. I visited this remarkable country and took some time to appreciate some of the wonders unveiled from a couple of Swaziland's prestigious locations.
ientered the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and took a hike up to the summit of the illustrious Execution Rock, also known as Nyonyane Mountain. My group on our 3-4 hour hiking trail, stopped at the Nyakato viewpoint, where we took a few minutes to revel in the beauty of the Mantenga waterfall, Usushwana Valley and Sheba's breasts. This 110m high granite rock exposes some of nature's golden gems. We delved into some Swazi history by spending time at one of the largest San art displays hosted in the Nsangwini Rock Shelter. This historical site comprises of spiritual recordings and iconic moments dating back as long as 4000 years ago. Accompanied by the Nsangwini community members who manage and maintain the site, you will not only gain more historical insights, but also enjoy pristine views as you walk through the community. For visitors intrigued by abundant wildlife and incredible views, you can travel 10km outside Swaziland's capital city, Mbabane to the world's largest granite rock dome, Sibebe Rock. We embarked on a 1.5hrs – 2.5hrs guided walk to explore the vast birdlife, plant life, caves and prestigious waterfalls adorning the Kingdom of Swaziland. This unique piece of art, an estimated 3 billion years old offers a sense of complete serenity. Located a bit further from Mbabane, roughly 65km north is Pigg's Peak. Pigg's Peak is prominent for its first recording of gold deposits in 1872. Today, this area is recognised for its breath-taking mountain view, best experienced from the Maguga Viewpoint restaurant. The restaurant overlooks the immaculate Maguga Dam, providing a panoramic view of the dam. Visitors can also venture on a scenic loop road that leads to the dam, which hosts a community-initiated view site of the spillway and the Maguga Dam craft outlet. For those looking to pair adventure and scenic exploration, gear-up for some hiking, river rafting, mountain biking, and 4x4 routes located in the Lubombo Mountains. Whilst embracing the thrill of these parallel ridges and gorges, take a minute to behold Lubombo Mountains' unique aesthetic of rugged volcanic hills, which expose flora and fauna found nowhere else in the country. From the minute you enter the Kingdom of Swaziland to your day of departure, you are guaranteed to experience many unique and magical scenic moments. Swaziland, one of the last absolute monarchies in the world, is one of the smallest countries in Africa and has a well-earned reputation in Southern Africa for friendliness. It is also home to several large safaris, which are popular tourist destinations. Swaziland provides a wide variety of safari options designed to fill your days with phenomenal encounters with some of Africa's renowned species, perfectly suited for guests who long for remarkable nature experiences. The Kingdom of Swaziland definitely delivers one of the best African Safari experiences and visitors will leave wanting so much more!