Eswatini

A small landlocked kingdom in southern Africa that preserves a strong Swazi cultural tradition, with both wildlife reserves and scenic valleys.

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is a landlocked monarchy in southern Africa, surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique. Though small, its terrain varies richly from the highveld in the west to the lowveld in the east. The administrative capital is Mbabane, while Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital. The Ezulwini Valley is the heart of the tourist area, with Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary nearby, and in the east, places such as Hlane Royal National Park offer wildlife viewing. Traditional ceremonies such as the annual Umhlanga (Reed Dance) are a distinctive highlight. The May–September dry season is the best time to see wildlife. The international gateway is King Mswati III International Airport at Sikhuphe, and many visitors also enter overland via South Africa.

Destinations

• Ezulwini Valley

Itineraries

• Eswatini Royal Valley & Hlane Safari – Base yourself in the Ezulwini Valley to experience royal culture and crafts, then stay in Hlane for a safari.
• Kruger, Mozambique Coast & Eswatini Loop – An epic Southern African road trip from Johannesburg, linking canyons, safaris, coastal highways, and kingdom valleys.
• Kruger, Eswatini, Zululand & Drakensberg – Drive from Johannesburg to Durban, traversing the east via the Panorama Route, Eswatini, wetlands, and the Drakensberg.