KINGDOM OF ESWATINI (Commonwealth Union)_ The Kingdom of Swaziland, once known as eSwatini, bordering Mozambique in southeast Africa, is the continent’s only remaining absolute monarchy. A hiker’s paradise, this little but scenically stunning nation is home to green peaks, rivers, ravines, undulating valleys, and waterfalls. The main draw in this area is nature reserves, and while few of them are home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros), all of them provide close-up game viewing opportunities, stunning scenery, and a wide variety of species.
Swaziland takes great pride in upholding its distinctive culture, traditions, and holidays. Both Umhlanga, the vivacious Reed Dance celebration that takes place during the final or first week of August, and Incwala, an amazing three-week royal ritual in December and January, are open to visitors to witness.
Hlane Royal National Park
This is one of the few areas in Swaziland where visitors have an opportunity to see lion, elephant, and rhino is the Hlane (“Wilderness”) Game Sanctuary, which is home to the largest herds of game in the nation. With a wide variety of species and the highest population of breeding white-backed vultures on the continent, this 22,000-hectare reserve is a birder’s paradise. In order to observe the lions, which live in a separate enclosure, visitors must go on a guided game drive; however, self-guided drives are allowed in other parts of the park.
Mbuluzi Game Reserve
On the banks of the Mlawula River, which is home to many crocodiles, the privately owned Mbuluzi Game Reserve offers a tranquil haven. Self-guided wildlife safaris, where visitors can observe giraffes, zebras, kudus, jackals, wildebeest, and nyalas during the day and possibly hyenas, genets, servals, and honey badgers at night, are the main attraction in this area. With more than 300 species, including the lovely Narina trogon, birding is also very rewarding.
