Eswatini - a royal postcard Of: Jacob Gowland Jørgensen
The journey goes to Eswatini
Swaziland is something as nice as an overlooked tourist country close to Africa's largest airport in Johannesburg, and South Africa almost also surrounds the country on all sides, so it's obvious to combine the two. The country has officially just changed its name to Eswatini, the land of the Swazis. It happened by royal decree in one of the last absolute monarchies in the world.
Most travelers are here only 1-2 days, because most come in their own or rented car and roll right through the bette kingdom, but there is clearly more to experience.
The Swazis are extremely peaceful, helpful and orderly, and there is nothing wrong with the attractions in the extremely traditional country.
We had a couple of really good days in the Mlilwane Reserve, where we hiked on without a guide hippo trail, and where you could also cycle and ride in the fine landscape. It got cool in the evening (it's high), so remember a real sweater, and sit by the fire with the wild boars. A huge traditional cabin with its own bathroom cost 400 kroner per. night, and then you also lived right in the middle of it all.
We then went to Sibebe Rock, the second largest single cliff in the world after Ayers Rock in Australia, and if you like hiking - and have control of your balance - it is a brilliant and beautiful trip. You should have a guide with you on the trip to Swaziland.
We used Swazi Trails and were extremely satisfied. Sibebe has also given its name to the local excellent beer and is located just outside the main village of Mbabane.
Eventually we went to Hlane National Park - we just booked a taxi for quite a bit of money, and 100km of mainly newer motorway later we were in lion and rhino land close to the border with Mozambique. Remember to book before you arrive, because there are quite a few cabins.
It is a nice park with many bushes and trees, so you had to work a little to find and see the many animals. In return, we got on rhino walk, where we walked around with a guide to - and with - the rhinos; it was a slightly wild experience.
Everything was at pretty low prices, and even in the king safari countries of Tanzania and Uganda, I have not seen as many rhinos as in this more modest national park.
We wheeled by bus and taxi to Mozambique from there. It only took a couple of hours and then we were at the Indian Ocean. Nice.
Eswatini is highly recommended.
