Eswatini

Eswatini (Swaziland) is a rare blend of big game viewing opportunities and ancient customs woven into everyday life. The Kingdom offers close up and personal wildlife encounters. It is considered one of the best places to see white rhino in the world, you can even track them on foot. It’s Africa in a nutshell.

5 Highlights of Eswatini

Stay in Mkhaya Game Reserve

Mkhaya is a remote wilderness area in the heart of the lowveld, a safe haven for wildlife. Here you can see white rhino and the elusive black rhino as well as animals in the endangered breeding program such as roan, sable and tsessebe antelopes. Mkhaya offers intimate encounters and superb photographic opportunities and the inspiring accommodation gently immerses you into nature.

magical mkhaya

Walking safaris

Eswatini offers walking safaris in its reserves so you can see wildlife from a different perspective. Be guided by expert rangers and have a heart stopping and memorable moment when walking with rhino. Alternatively you can safely and independently explore reserves with no dangerous game; hike unspoilt mountain wilderness, wander amongst zebra on the open plains or amble in savannah amongst a ‘journey’ of giraffe.

walking safaris in Eswatini

Visit a local community

Shewula Mountain Camp and Mhlumeni Bush Camp are eco-tourism projects which are locally owned and run. Your support goes directly to the community. Gain an intimate insight into the local way of life through guided walks, spending time at a school, joining a church service, visiting local homesteads and meeting a sangoma or traditional healer, a powerful person in Emaswati culture.

visit a sangoma

Watch traditional dancing

The most photographed experience in the Kingdom, the Sibhaca dance, will leave you with a smile on your face and a shake in your step. The dancers, proudly dressed in traditional regalia, will show you the importance of this dance and offer you the chance to learn it for yourself, if you are up for it! Watch the dance around the camp fire under a star lit sky with drums resonating through the night.

the Reed dance or umhlanga

Arts and crafts

Eswatini is renowned for its talented artisans who create artefacts from local sustainable materials. Visit workshops and see these crafts hand created before your very eyes; animal candles, grass place mats, woven fabrics, batik wall hangings, glass ornaments and wooden sculptures. There is also a local gin and a variety of delicious chilli sauces to taste. Many products are sold overseas and are in high demand.

what to see and do in Eswatini

About Eswatini

  • Capital: Mbabane
  • Area: 17,364 km²
  • Languages: English and siSwati
  • Where to visit: Mlilwane, Mkhaya and Mbuluzi.
  • Wildlife to spot: rhino, warthog, giraffe and Narina Trogon.

Travel to reserves where others hardly visit and escape back to nature.

There are short travelling distances between wildlife reserves, craft markets, community ventures and other attractions. So there’s more time to relax by waterholes, spend time with locals and watch culturally invigorating events. It’s a fascinating, safe and friendly destination.

Eswatini is also an adventurer’s paradise. There are many alternative activities to incorporate into your itinerary; hiking and walking safaris, mountain biking in reserves, horse riding amongst wildlife, canopy tour in the highveld and white water rafting the Utusu River.

We specialise in Eswatini. Jenny Bowen, Director of Sense Earth, often guides group trips to the Kingdom.

Eswatini is a personal and off the beaten track destination and was voted one of the Top 10 Destinations to visit in 2020 by Lonely Planet.

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When to go to Eswatini