Travel Africa: Traveling To The Kingdom Eswatini
By Travel Africa Photos: Wikimedia Commons Swazi expert Jenny Bowen of Sense Earth shares a personal take on why you should visit this captivating kingdom… If you’re looking for a safari destination that is safe, off-the-beaten track and genuine, then Eswatini is the place for you. The kingdom delivers the ultimate bush experience, where time seems to slow down, and there is a sense of peace and tranquility. Approximately the size of Wales, Eswatini is very easy to get around. And while you could see many attractions in one day, I don’t advise it: you would simply not do the country justice. Take your time to immerse yourself in the culture, the wildlife and the scenery. Here are nine things I love about Eswatini… and good reasons you should visit! 1 Festivals Eswatini hosts many festivals throughout the year. Organising your trip around the traditional festivals can be tricky because they don’t release the exact dates until about two weeks before they occur. But, if you happen to be in the country for one of them, consider yourself lucky — and be sure to go.Cultural events include the Marula Festival (February/March), celebrating the fruit’s harvest and its use in making marula beer; the Umhlanga (or Reed Dance) Festival in late August or early September, where thousands of young, unmarried women cut reeds for the Queen Mother; and the Incwala Ceremony, celebrating the first fruits of the harvest and at which the warriors gather (late December).Modern festivals are easier to plan for as they have set dates. These include MTN Bushfire Festival (May), with live music, dance, theatre and visual arts; Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival (August); and Eswatini Kota Festival (September), which celebrates local culture and food. 2 Self-drive safarisThe kingdom is ideal for self-drive exploration, with an easy-to-navigate road system. If you would like a guide at any point along your way, such as for the national parks, you can request one at your accommodation. Self-drive allows you to get off the beaten track and there are plenty of self-catering places to stay, including at Mbuluzi, Royal Jozini Private Game Reserve, KaMsholo Bushveld Safaris, Dombeya Game Reserve and Malolotja, to name but a few. 3 Quirky accommodationEswatini has unique and varied places to stay. These include traditional-style beehive huts in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, safari tents at Phophonyane Falls Ecolodge, a self-catering lodge in Mbuluzi Game Reserve, or why not sleep in a cottage with no walls in Mkhaya. I would recommend staying at least two nights in Mkhaya to truly experience it — the first night is often a little disconcerting after being told to keep the (small and unassuming) gate closed to prevent warthogs and hyena coming in. 4 CultureYou can’t fail to experience Eswatini’s rich culture. While many reserves put on traditional dancing in the evenings, Mantenga Nature Reserve and Cultural Village is well worth a visit. Here, you can learn about the local way of life and watch dancing performances at 11:15 and 15:15 every day. There is also the option to visit a sangoma (traditional healer), a fascinating experience you can arrange at Shewula Mountain Camp. Or stay the night in Shewula community and let the ladies cook a traditional supper for you? READ MORE…
Black News 
By Travel Africa
Photos: Wikimedia Commons
Swazi expert Jenny Bowen of Sense Earth shares a personal take on why you should visit this captivating kingdom…
If you’re looking for a safari destination that is safe, off-the-beaten track and genuine, then Eswatini is the place for you. The kingdom delivers the ultimate bush experience, where time seems to slow down, and there is a sense of peace and tranquility. Approximately the size of Wales, Eswatini is very easy to get around. And while you could see many attractions in one day, I don’t advise it: you would simply not do the country justice. Take your time to immerse yourself in the culture, the wildlife and the scenery. Here are nine things I love about Eswatini… and good reasons you should visit!
1 Festivals
Eswatini hosts many festivals throughout the year. Organising your trip around the traditional festivals can be tricky because they don’t release the exact dates until about two weeks before they occur. But, if you happen to be in the country for one of them, consider yourself lucky — and be sure to go.
Cultural events include the Marula Festival (February/March), celebrating the fruit’s harvest and its use in making marula beer; the Umhlanga (or Reed Dance) Festival in late August or early September, where thousands of young, unmarried women cut reeds for the Queen Mother; and the Incwala Ceremony, celebrating the first fruits of the harvest and at which the warriors gather (late December).
Modern festivals are easier to plan for as they have set dates. These include MTN Bushfire Festival (May), with live music, dance, theatre and visual arts; Luju Food and Lifestyle Festival (August); and Eswatini Kota Festival (September), which celebrates local culture and food.
2 Self-drive safaris
The kingdom is ideal for self-drive exploration, with an easy-to-navigate road system. If you would like a guide at any point along your way, such as for the national parks, you can request one at your accommodation. Self-drive allows you to get off the beaten track and there are plenty of self-catering places to stay, including at Mbuluzi, Royal Jozini Private Game Reserve, KaMsholo Bushveld Safaris, Dombeya Game Reserve and Malolotja, to name but a few.
3 Quirky accommodation
Eswatini has unique and varied places to stay. These include traditional-style beehive huts in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, safari tents at Phophonyane Falls Ecolodge, a self-catering lodge in Mbuluzi Game Reserve, or why not sleep in a cottage with no walls in Mkhaya. I would recommend staying at least two nights in Mkhaya to truly experience it — the first night is often a little disconcerting after being told to keep the (small and unassuming) gate closed to prevent warthogs and hyena coming in.
4 Culture
You can’t fail to experience Eswatini’s rich culture. While many reserves put on traditional dancing in the evenings, Mantenga Nature Reserve and Cultural Village is well worth a visit. Here, you can learn about the local way of life and watch dancing performances at 11:15 and 15:15 every day. There is also the option to visit a sangoma (traditional healer), a fascinating experience you can arrange at Shewula Mountain Camp. Or stay the night in Shewula community and let the ladies cook a traditional supper for you?
