THINGS TO DO SWAZILAND

For a while now, I have been intrigued by the Kingdom of Swaziland. It is one of the last absolute monarchs in the world and has retained many aspects of its original customs and traditions. I always dreamed of visiting it and experiencing this culture. So when I moved to Cape Town – South Africa in January of this year, I knew this was my chance.

I flew from Cape Town to Johannesburg where I boarded a shuttle that transported me from OR Tambo International airport to Mbabane (the executive capital and largest city).

Most of my time was spent at home with family and friends. It was here that I met Ama with whom I struck an instant friendship. She offered to take me around and show me a few cool spots. This was our adventure:

1. Wake up to a mystical view of Mbabane

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2. Hike Sibebe Rock

The trail we took was approximately 17km; wear your most comfortable shoes and carry enough water and snacks to keep you smiling. Make periodic stops to rest and enjoy the open fields and blue sky. You will also find streams of cool water in the middle of the fields, almost like an oasis. Having lunch or breakfast at the top of Sibebe rock is a brilliant way to enjoy the view at the top.

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Seating at the top of Sibebe rock
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Blue skies upon layers of hills
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Open fields and clear blue skies
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Little white flowers
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Running streams of cool water

3. Drive to Maguga dam

Have a meal or toast with a drink at the view point restaurant as you enjoy the view. For the more adventurous, lots of outdoor activities are offered by other recreational establishments around the dam. Accommodation is also available for overnight guests.

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4. Visit the Cultural village

This perfect Sunday Afternoon activity is a trip down memory lane, to hundreds of years back. We were welcomed into a “traditional” homestead and later entertained with Swazi songs and dances.

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Traditional Swazi homestead
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Abena, Hazel, Denis, Ama (in the blue dress) and myself
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Traditional dancers wielding spears and promising to raise dust
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We were told its prettier during the rainy seasons, better luck next time

So, the next time you are in the area, take a few days to visit Swaziland and do as much exploring as you can.

Cheers

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