Swaziland Newsletter: September 2015 by African Travel Solutions

Published on September 16, 2015 by CTGManager

Swaziland’s Umhlanga Reed Dance

Swaziland’s magnificent Reed Dance happened at the end of last month, for all the background info, see our news announcements prior to the event below; and we’ll have a report on the event in the next Newsletter:

Hilton Building Hotel in Swaziland

Hilton Worldwide announced the signing of a management agreement with the Swaziland Public Service Pensions Fund to open a Hilton Garden Inn hotel in Mbabane, Swaziland.
The new build 130 guest room hotel will be located in the centre of Mbabane, the administrative capital and largest city in Swaziland. Located on Mhlambanyatsi Road, the main arterial route serving the city centre, the hotel will be situated in the CBD and ideally positioned for local and international travellers. The hotel will also feature some 245 square meters of dedicated event space with 105 square meters of pre-function space, as well as a large fitness centre and outdoor swimming pool.

Swaziland’s Leading Hotel 2015

The Royal Villas Hotel has been awarded Swaziland’s Leading Hotel 2015 by the World Travel Awards. The World Travel Award was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, the World Travel Awards brand is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire. Royal Villas came tops under the Swaziland’s leading hotel 2015, where it was nominated with Lugogo Sun and Royal Swazi Spa. This is the 6th time that Royal Villas have won the award.

Big Game Parks launches #Nailit4Rhinos campaign

Swaziland’s leading conservation organisation, Big Game Parks, is encouraging its social media followers to #Nailit4Rhinos! From now until World Rhino Day on 22 September, BGP is running a competition to see who can decorate their own nails most creatively, in support of these endangered creatures. World Rhino Day is celebrated worldwide and 2015 will mark its fifth year.

Renovating Hiking Trails in the Ngwempisi Wilderness

The Khelekhele Hiking Trails in the Ngwempisi Wilderness Area has been renovated, re-launched and handed over to the Velezizweni community in Mankayane. The Ngwempisi wilderness area contains flatlands and undulating hills ranging from a mere 50 metres to 800 metres above sea level and if you feel like Venturing on to the Khelekhele Hiking trails you will have a bushveld experience like no other.

Yebo Contemporary Art Gallery Opens New Shop

Yebo has now opened a NEW shop at Swazi Candles Centre! Their shop is open 7 days a week from 8 -5 pm. You will find a mini art gallery featuring work by the top artists in Swaziland. There’s an amazing range of screen-printed cloth produced at Yebo’s workshop; tablecloths, cloth by the meter, tea-towels and wall hangings. The shop also stocks a range of art postcards by 25 local artists, silver jewellery by Guava Gallery and quirky one off home décor items by local artists.

MTN BUSHFIRE Celebrating Ten Years

MTN BUSHFIRE will be celebrating ten years of #BRINGYOURFIRE for the 2016 edition, taking place from May 27 – 29, 2016. MTN BUSHFIRE’s tenth anniversary in 2016 promises to be an even better experience for all festival goers. Having expanded rapidly in both popularity and capacity, festival organisers intend to refine the general services offered to help mark the festivals 10th edition.

Swaziland – the Kingdom of Adventure

Round 4 of the Adventure Racing World Series, Expedition Africa, was held in June in the Kingdom of Swaziland to great acclaim. The country’s varied landscape, rich culture and diverse wildlife all contributed to a truly memorable experience! Swaziland has become the ‘Kingdom of Adventure’! The race, organised by Stephan and Heidi Muller of Kineticgear, attracted 23 teams from all around the globe.

A Round up of Recent Events in Swaziland

In Swaziland there is always a ‘happening’ of some description. Well known for its great events – both sporting and cultural, there is never a dull moment here. And recent months have been no exception, with Mountain bike races, treks up the world’s second largest rock and even a bikers rally. See the links below for more.