Swaziland safaris, lodges and wildlife tours

The huge diversity of climatic and vegetation zones represented in Swaziland is incredible for a country of its size. Beautiful rolling grasslands, mountain streams, waterfalls and small pockets of indigenous forests characterize the Highveld in the west.

The Middleveld is slightly warmer, a little more tropical and includes the Ezulwini Valley (Valley of Heaven). It is here that most of the Kingdom's major tourist attractions are concentrated, including hotels, spas and casinos.

The hot, dry Lowveld is home to three of the Kingdom's five reserves and the only populations of big game in Swaziland. At Mkhaya Game Reserve, endangered animals such as black and white rhino find refuge. Hlane Royal National Park also supports white rhino, elephant and lion. On the country's easternmost border, the altitude rises steeply again and the Lebombo Mountains straddle the border with Mozambique. Roads are adequate, but some barely so, especially during the rainy season.

Malolotja Nature Reserve's beautiful hills are a hiker's dreams come true, and day trails on horseback can be undertaken through game-filled valleys or to historical sites. Fly-fishing can be enjoyed in the clear mountain streams in the reserve. For the adventurous there are white-water rafting trips and abseiling into inaccessible gorges.

Crafts are quite different from the rest of the region and are very sophisticated in design and execution. Some of the more renowned include the superb recycled glassware made at Ngwenya, the exquisitely patterned handmade Swazi Candles and beautiful printed objects. There are also weaving studios, clothing manufacturers and potters.

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