SWAZILAND NEWSLETTER: APRIL 2016

It may be southern Africa’s smallest country but the tiny Kingdom of Swaziland is a set to become African’s adventure capital in 2016. A burst of tour operators have introduced new Swaziland itineraries – many focussed on exclusively on the country for the first time. There is a huge range of high quality adventure activities on offer in this charming, beautiful and welcoming country. The possibility to explore the stunning and varied scenery of Swaziland, whilst experiencing its unique African culture is what made UK tour operators get behind Swaziland. Read More

Lauded by CNN as one of the “7 African music festivals you really have to see”, and most recently named as BBC’s Top African Festival, MTN Bushfire is Swaziland’s internationally acclaimed music & arts festival that celebrates creative expression whilst promoting social responsibility, stimulating the economy and drawing talent and tourists from across Africa and around the world. MTN Bushfire is pleased to be able to announce just some of the diverse talent that will be featured at the 2016 Ten Year Anniversary edition of the event. Read More

Big Game Parks, a non-profit trust that manages three game reserves in Swaziland, Hlane Royal National Park, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Mkhaya Game Reserve, recently had the privilege of hosting IdolsSA star Kyle Deutschmann to shoot a music video for the hit song ‘Wildside’. Kyle Deutschmann was a finalist in the tenth edition of the music talent search show – South African Idols. The video was shot entirely on location at the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Mkhaya Game Reserve showcasing some of the wildlife found there. Read More

Leading adventure and activity operator Explore! has recently launched a brand new trip to fast emerging African adventure destination, The Kingdom of Swaziland, and it’s quickly becoming their best selling long-haul trip for 2016!

This is the first dedicated Swaziland trip that Explore has operated, as they wanted to offer an in-depth discovery to this fascinating country. Hot on the heels of other large tour operators launching Swaziland tours, this is further evidence of the rapid emergence of this hidden gem as a stand-alone destination of note in Africa. Read More

Swaziland’s Big Game Parks give us 10 great reasons to visit the country’s Hlane Royal National Park. Encompassing 22,000 hectares dominated by ancient hardwood vegetation, Hlane is home to the largest herds of game in the Kingdom of Swaziland, including Lion, Elephant, Rhino and Giraffe – as well as abundant bird life.

1. Pristine, unspoilt natural area. The ‘Hlane’ in siSwati means ‘Wilderness’, Big Game Parks have done well to preserve Hlane and keep it, exactly that, a beautiful wilderness Open the article to discover more… Read More

Following an exciting Imvelo 2016, Big Game Parks brings you the annual Imvelo MTB Classic 2016 at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary! The date is set for Saturday 4th June 2016 with online entries open since Tuesday 12th April 2016.

The annual mountain biking competition is held every June at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and sponsored by Nedbank Swaziland and Big Game Parks. It comprises of a series of races over different distances, the longest being 64km! Of course, as with any great Swaziland event, a fantastic party for all the cyclists taking part follows the race. Read More

Swaziland is quickly becoming the most sought after African destination in 2016. Tour operators Explore, Tucan Travel and Cox & Kings amongst others are now pushing Swaziland hard with dedicated tours and vastly increased number of itineraries now including this undiscovered Kingdom. UK/South African tour operator Acacia Africa has offered Swaziland for a number of years but in June will launch six brand new tours in Southern Africa that have the Kingdom of Swaziland as an integral and essential ingredient. Ranging from 4 to 46 days, these tours aim to give as insight into the undiscovered wildlife and culture that many tourists are yet to encounter…Read More

Well it may now be over for another year, but find out more about Swaziland’s famed Marula Festival that ran across two weekends in February and March by having a look at the news article we posted at the time. Locally known as ‘Emaganwini’, Swaziland’s Marula Festival is a time of song, dance and celebration of the harvest of the Marula Fruit – used not just in the delightful beer, but also in skin care products and medicine. A tribute to the riches of Mother Nature, this highlight of the Swaziland calendar is initiated by King Mswati III and Her Majesty the ‘Indlovukazi’ the Queen Mother, who travel all over the Kingdom leading the nation’s celebrations. Read More

Jenny Bowen, Director of Sense Africa, has been awarded ‘Destination Specialist of the Year – Swaziland’ by the Luxury Travel Guide for 2015. Based in Clevedon, Jenny creates tailor- made holidays to southern Africa and has a passion for providing personalised  and memorable holidays for discerning travellers who want to get off er the beaten track of mass tourism. She operates in Swaziland, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique. “The Kingdom of Swaziland is ideal for first time visitors to Africa, for family holidays and for those seeking adventure.” Discover more about Sense Africa… Read More

Not discovered Swaziland yet?

Africa in a nutshell.

It may be a cliché but there is no better way to describe Swaziland. This tiny nation – one of Africa’s last monarchies – packs in an extraordinary variety of riches. Nature lovers can track down rhinos in the wild Lowveld or seek out rare birds in the rugged Highveld. Historians can visit the world’s oldest known mine at Ngwenya or follow the colonial trail of the early settlers. And culture vultures can thrill to the Umhlanga and other festivals, as Swaziland celebrates its ancient traditions in spectacular style. Activities ranging from safaris, horse riding and river rafting to golf and thermal spas offer excitement and relaxation in equal measure. What’s more, Swaziland is friendly, safe and so compact that nowhere is more than two hours’ easy drive from the capital. So what are you waiting for? Africa’s most perfectly formed nation offers you a warm Swazi welcome.