Swaziland

In a Nutshell
A tiny African kingdom, surrounded by South Africa and Mozambique, comprising four distinct regions: the highveld escarpment; the middleveld, or grasslands; the lowveld, with its thorn bushes and sugar plantations; and the Lubombo plateau, along the Mozambique border.

Top Attractions

• Ezulwini Valley - Drive from Mbabane to Manzini through the picturesque valley, stopping at the numerous craft markets along the way. The valley contains many good hotels, a casino, 18-hole golf course and numerous restaurants.

• Mbabane - the country's capital and biggest city. Visit the nearby Ngwenya Glass factory to watch recycled glass being made into beautiful African animal trinkets and tableware.

• Mlilwane Game Reserve - a beautiful, secluded, 4450 hectare sanctuary containing plentiful smaller animal and bird life. A guided horse or biking trail is recommended

• Malolotja Nature Reserve - near Pigg's Peak, the country's largest park, offering excellent self-guided auto- and hiking trails and good animal, bird and plant viewing.

Connections

By air: to Matsapha Airport, 8 kms from Manzini Swaziland Airlink has daily flights to and from Johannesburg

By road: from various entry points along the SA border

Size 17,200 sq kms

Population approx 1 million

Biggest city (cities) Mbabane

Official language (s) English and Siswati

Religion Mainly Christian

Climate Temperate, partly dry, partly sub-tropical

Best time to visit May-September

Visas generally not required

Health anti-malaria precautions advised. Bilharzia present in dams and rivers

Time GMT + 2

Unit of currency Lilangeni (on par with Rand)

Electrical current 220 Volts 50 Hz

Driving On the left

Credit cards Visa and Mastercard generally accepted

Public holidays 1 Jan; 29 Mar; 1,19,25 Apr; 1,9 May; 22 July; 6 Sept; 25/26 Dec.

Dialling code 09268

Water Generally safe to drink

Links to Useful Sites

www.swazi.com