Swaziland Country Profile

 

The Swazilan Flag

Discovering Swaziland

Swaziland also known as Ngwane is a small landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is bounded to the east by Mozambique and to the north, south and west by South Africa. The nation, as well as its people, is named after the 19th century king Mswati II. Officially known as the kingdom of Swaziland, the country is under the monarchy of King Mswati III who was named after King Sobhuza II.
With a land area of only 17,364 sq km, Swaziland is the smallest independent state in Southern Africa whose eastern border is dominated by the scenic Lebombo Mountains.
Mbabane is the capital city with approximately 40,000 residents. This is a multifunctional city that doubles as the seat of Government administration as well as residential.
The kingdom of Swaziland has the Nguni-speaking people as its dominant group. SiSwati and English are the official languages spoken.
Other major towns include Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Mbabane, Nhlangano, Shiselweni and Siteki.
Swaziland has its own spectacular and unique cultural values which attracts travelers both from Africa and abroad. Prominent is the Reed dance and the Incwala ceremonies amazing traditional events that the kingdom’s visitors speak of. These cultural ceremonies are the particular events that have spurred cultural tourism in the kingdom. They draw several cultural tourists when season comes.

Hlane Royal National Park

Aside from culture, there is an abundance of tourist attractions in Swaziland. Adventure Swaziland holidays and entertainment abound in Swaziland’s towns. Scenic tours, day trips and overnight stays are easily arranged through Swaziland tour operators. Hlane National Royal Park, the largest and most prominent game park in the country covering a total area of 30,000 hectares is home to big numbers of  lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards. Several other animals including hippopotamus, giraffe, crocodile, blue wildebeests and many more are also found in the park. The park also offers amazing game viewing for tourists in comfortable open-roofed safari vehicles highly secure for visitors to roam in the area freely either on private of group guided Swaziland safaris.
There are numerous other places to tour and things to do for a vacation trip in Swaziland. Visit Maguga Dam for a water outing, it is situated between the Matsamo border post and Mbabane.
Getting There
Swaziland flights touch down at Matsapha international airport located few kilometers away from Manzini town. Swazi Express Airlines is one of the luxurious airlines which fly regular flights between Swaziland and the neighbouring cities of Durban and Maputo.