Beyond stereotypes: A magical year spent in the Kingdom of Eswatini
The Kingdom of Eswatini is surrounded by natural, green forests and mountains. Here are the top five places to visit in the country to get lost in its natural beauty
Africa is a continent burdened with stereotypes. With memes and celebrity commercials of altruistic humanitarianism abound, Africa, in my mind, has always been a basketcase of poverty and misery. That changed in 2023, when I had the opportunity to meet actual individuals from Africa, people from different countries, with different stories.
Their stories were nothing like the internet posts or commercials highlighting why a celebrity is an amazing person for taking a picture with the less fortunate in Africa.
This piqued my interest, and I jumped on the opportunity to study in a school in Eswatini when it arose. After almost a year of hearing stereotypes and concerns about Africa, I finally landed in the Kingdom of Eswatini, my first time in the continent misunderstood by most.
At first glance, with its green luscious forests and clouds passing by towering mountains, the country looked like Pinterest travel photos. As my car rushed from the airport to the city, all I could see was people living their lives surrounded by peaceful green mountains. The history of these people was still unknown to me.
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The Kingdom of Eswatini had its borders drawn amidst the "scramble for Africa" in 1881. Eswatini was a territory under the British High Commission from 1903 to 1968, after which it regained its full independence and became the Kingdom of Swaziland. The country changed its name to the "Kingdom of Eswatini" in 2018 to align the name with their language.
The country follows a system of absolute monarchy, one of the last nations to do so. The king of Eswatini has the power to rule by decree and remains unrestricted by any body of the state or government.
Despite the lack of democracy and somewhat slow economy in recent years, Eswatini draws you in with its biodiversity and vibrant culture.
Being a country in the southern hemisphere, Eswatini's weather patterns are the reverse of the one in Bangladesh, with hot Decembers and cold Augusts. Although, the mountains and forests around the country make it pleasant to live there year round.
Travelling around Eswatini, even though not very common and fun for shopaholics, can be incredibly rewarding for its natural beauty and the cultural immersion the country offers. The few must-visits in the country are:
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Located near the south of the capital city of Mbabane, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is the oldest nature reserve in the country. The grassy plains of the reserve are home to animals like Antelopes and Zebras, along with over 300 species of birds.
The sanctuary also has a hippopotamus pool and facilities for walking safaris, for the visitors. Taking a hike or mountain biking through the sanctuary, witnessing the beauty and biodiversity of Southern Eswatini, is a very popular activity among the tourists in Eswatini.
The sanctuary also offers access to the Nyonyane Mountain, or the rock of execution, that gives a panoramic view of the landscape. It also has historical significance as the execution spot for enemies of the Swazi Kingdom in pre-colonial times.
Hlane National Park
The largest wildlife conservation area of Eswatini, it spans over an area of about 22,000 hectares. The name of the park comes from the word for "wilderness" in Siswati.
Hlane National Park is home to the big five animals, which are lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffalos. Hlane is one of the few places in southern Africa where both white and black rhinos are found.
The experience of natural immersion in the park is elevated with the over 350 species of birds the park hosts.
The park also signifies the role of nature and wildlife in the Swazi culture. Tourists generally enjoy guided game-drives, walking safaris and immersive birdwatching tours.
Sibebe Rock
Sibebe Rock is a granite dome and the world's second largest monolith. Located about 10 kilometres out of the capital city of Mbabane, Sibebe is an attraction for tourists and geology aficionados from around the world.
Sibebe Rock is estimated to be around 3 billion years old and was formed from the cooling and solidification of magma.
Sibebe is seen as a sacred place for the Swazi people because of its inclusion in myths and legends. The rock also shows evidence of human habitation from ancient times.
The Sibebe rock is a must visit for avid hikers and rock climbers. The nearby Sibebe resort caters to tourists, offering resting facilities and guided nature walks that help tourists understand the biodiversity of the place.
Mantenga cultural village
The Mantenga village serves as a living museum of the Kingdom of Eswatini. It is a traditional Swazi homestead set located in the Mantenga Nature Reserve in the Ezulwini Valley.
The village offers tourists an experience of what traditional life in Eswatini looked like in the 1800s. The houses are built of traditional materials, and the tourists are shown the way of life in Eswatini by a local tour guide who can explain the various aspects the tourists might witness.
The tours also include a chance for tourists to immerse themselves in Swazi culture through various traditional dances and performances.
The chance to interact with the locals in the cultural village gives the tourists a chance to exchange cultural views and receive hands-on experience in the Swazi way of life.
Mbuluzi Game Reserve
Among the multiple nature reserves in the country, the Mbuluzi Game Reserve in the Lubombo Conservatory is one of the very few that allow tourists to have a self guided wildlife exploration as there aren't many predators in the forest.
The Mbuluzi game reserve spans over 3,000 hectares of diverse terrain that includes riverine forests, savannahs and rocky lands. The reserve is home to smaller mammals, in addition to Giraffes, Zebras, Wildebeests and many other non-dangerous animals, making the reserve safe for cycling and self exploration. Tourists may also fish in the Mbuluzi river.
Now, after all the visits to different forests and reserves, a tourist will further find peace in the people of Eswatini. Mostly peaceful and hospitable, the people of Eswatini accept their guests with warmth and joy, making the experience of the Swazi culture immersive and enjoyable for tourists from around the world.
I experienced this myself in the past year on numerous occasions in the streets of Mbabane, on the commutes to Johannesburg, on shuttles and in my school. That, in my opinion, should be the biggest reason for visiting Eswatini.
