A Small Kingdom, Big Adventure

Travelling through Eswatini, formerly Swaziland, felt like discovering a little piece of Africa that packs an incredible amount into a small country. Tucked between South Africa and Mozambique, this landlocked kingdom is known for its beautiful mountains, valleys, traditional culture and abundant wildlife.

The people of Eswatini are predominantly emaSwati, with a culture strongly influenced by the Dlamini royal lineage. Traditional customs remain an important part of life, with colourful ceremonies such as the Umhlanga (Reed Dance) and Incwala showcasing music, dancing and traditional dress.

What really made the journey interesting was the changing landscape. The western mountains and forests gradually give way to the warmer, drier lowveld in the east before we entered Mozambique.

And then there was the wildlife. Despite its small size, Eswatini is home to Africa’s Big Five — lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Its game reserves also support a remarkable variety of other animals and hundreds of bird species.

For us, Eswatini was was a chance to experience a proud African culture, beautiful landscapes and the excitement of African wildlife — all within one surprisingly small kingdom.

Eswatini it looked small on the map, but it left a big impression.