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The land-locked African country has been given a new name to mark 50 years of independence, and there’s no better time to see its wild sights

eswatini 50 years after independence, Swaziland has a new look

As Britain’s colonial grip on Africa loosened in the 1960s, the newly independent nations set about rewriting the continent. Rhodesia became Zimbabwe, Nyasaland turned into Malawi and Bechuanaland became Botswana. But even after Swaziland threw off its British shackles in 1968, it kept its name – until now.

In April, King Mswati III declared that it would henceforth be known as the Kingdom of eswatini ( eh-swah-teeny), to mark 50 years of independence as well as the king’s own 50th birthday. What better time to visit?

What’s in a name?

For locals, ‘Swaziland’ was an uncomfortable mix of Swazi and English; eswatini means ‘place of the Swazi’ in the country’s native tongue. King Mswati III had mentioned the new title sporadically before announcing the change officially. He also claimed that one motive was Swaziland was often confused with Switzerland – well, it must have happened to someone…

How can I join in?

In the royal capital of Lobamba lies the King Sobhuza II Memorial Park, a tribute to the titular monarch who led the country’s fight for independence. It’s small in size, squeezing in a 3m-tall bronze statue of the king, his mausoleum and a museum dedicated to his life, including his collection of classic cars.

Elsewhere, Somhlolo National Stadium was built in 1968 to mark independence and named after King Sobhuza I (also known as Somholo), considered the nation’s founding father. The stadium is at the centre for the country’s independence day (6 Sep), when it fills with locals performing the sibhaca warrior dance and even the king gets up for a jig or two.

What else can I see?

The Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary was founded as the country’s first conservation area a few years prior to independence. Nestled in the Ezulwini Valley, it is swathed in forests and grasslands, with the granite peak of Nyonyane Mountain looming overhead. The wildlife is the star here though, and hippos, blue wildebeest and antelope all roam its plains.

But eswatini’s big wildlife success story is the rhino, with numbers rising, bucking the global trend. You can spot white rhinos at the country’s only national park, Hlane Royal NP, alongside elephants and lions – the perfect way to mark eswatini’s new dawn.