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|  | SWAZILAND COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Swaziland is surrounded by South Africa to the north, west and by Mozambique to the east. The lush Ezulwini Valley is a miracle of nature and the seat of Swaziland's major tourist attractions, including the country's famous casino, the magnificent Royal Swazi golf course and the hot mineral spring known affectionately by locals and guests as the 'Cuddle Puddle'. Swaziland has a number of protected nature reserves and game parks which are open for visitors and strong efforts have recently been made to bring wildlife back to the country. Mlilwane, the oldest established game sanctuary in Swaziland, was once privately owned but was offered to the nation as a sanctuary for wild animals. The industrial centre of Manzini lies east across the valley, a good half-hour's drive. On the way visitors pass signposts to Swaziland's most famous waterfall, the Mantenga Falls. Food stalls in the local markets sell traditional Swazi meat stew and maize meal or stamped mealies and roasted corn on the cob (in season). There are some Western-style nightclubs in the main tourist centres of Mbabane and Ezulwini Valley. Throughout the year, a number of traditional festivals, dances and rituals are celebrated. Autonomy for the Swazis of southern Africa was guaranteed by the British in the late 19th century; independence was granted in 1968. Student and labor unrest during the 1990s pressured the monarchy (one of the oldest on the continent) to grudgingly allow political reform and greater democracy. Swaziland recently surpassed Botswana as the country with the world's highest known rates of HIV/AIDS infection. 4 districts; Hhohho, Lubombo, Manzini, Shiselweni. In this small, landlocked economy, subsistence agriculture occupies more than 80% of the population. The manufacturing sector has diversified since the mid-1980s. Sugar and wood pulp remain important foreign exchange earners. Mining has declined in importance in recent years with only coal and quarry stone mines remaining active. Surrounded by South Africa, except for a short border with Mozambique, Swaziland is heavily dependent on South Africa from which it receives about nine-tenths of its imports and to which it sends nearly three-quarters of its exports. Customs duties from the Southern African Customs Union and worker remittances from South Africa substantially supplement domestically earned income. The government is trying to improve the atmosphere for foreign investment. Overgrazing, soil depletion, drought, and sometimes floods persist as problems for the future. More than one-fourth of the population needed emergency food aid in 2004 because of drought, and more than one-third of the adult population was infected by HIV/AIDS. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
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|  | RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | Mbabne & Area
Mbabne, the capital of Swaziland, lies at the northern end of the Ezulwini Valley amid the granite peaks and valleys that make up the Dlangeni hills. Mbabne is Swaziland's administrative capital and is small, relaxed and unpretentious. The main attractions in town are the Mall, the New Mall and Allister Miller, the main street, named after the first European to be born there.
Ezulwini Valley
The lush Ezulwini Valley is a miracle of nature and the seat of Swaziland's major tourist attractions. Although Swaziland has long been regarded as one of the most beautiful countries in Africa, it was not until an Italian and South African syndicate built southern Africa's first casino hotel on a prime valley site some 12 years ago that Swaziland geared itself towards tourism. In the valley is the magnificent Royal Swazi golf course, the casino, the hot mineral spring - one of eight in the country - known affectionately by locals and guests as the 'Cuddle Puddle', a health studio and a cluster of fine hotels forming the Holiday Valley complex.
Lobamba
In the heart of the Ezulwini Valley is Swaziland's royal valley, Lobamba, the spiritual and legislative capital of the kingdom. It is home to the royals' Embo State Palace. The National Museum is housed here, which offers displays on Swazi culture and has a traditional beehive village beside it.
Manzini
East across the valley is Swaziland's largest town and its commercial hub, Manzini. On the way here visitors pass signposts to Swaziland's most famous waterfall, the Mantenga Falls, the thriving Mantenga Arts & Crafts Centre, the Mlilwane Game Sanctuary, Matsapha Airport and the industrial area of Matsapha, which produces everything from beer to television sets.
There is an outstanding market every day except Sunday; dawn on Thursdays and Fridays is particularly worth a visit as it is when the rural people bring in their handicrafts to sell to retailers. Manzini's only other point of interest is its original Catholic mission, an elegant stone building opposite the new cathedral; it is not open to casual visitors. Unfortunately the city has little else to offer and is polluted with reckless drivers, city slickers and an ever-growing crime record.
Piggs Peak and the northwest
The rolling hills, sparkling streams, and countless waterfalls make this one of the most appealing regions of Swaziland. Piggs Peak, a small forestry town straggled along the main road, was named after a French prospector called William Pigg, who discovered gold nearby in 1884, where it was mined until the site was exhausted in 1954. Nearby the Ngwenya Glass Factory, is the origin of one of Swaziland's best-known exports, Ngwenya glass. Their products, which range from attractive wine glasses to endless trinkets in the shape of rotund animals, are made from recycled glass and are produced by highly skilled workers, who can be watched in action.
The South
The scenery, particularly along the drive from Mahamba to Manzini through the Grand Valley, is really superb, and the road passes near most of the historical sites of the Swazi royal house. Big Bend itself, dominated by a huge sugar mill, is only worth visiting for its hotel, the New Bend Inn. It is a slightly run-down colonial establishment with superb views of the valley and well-positioned bars, it is a lively Swazi haunt at weekends, when major parties take place.
The area is currently being developed for tourism, and the first project has been the construction of another casino hotel at Nhlangano, about 120km (75 miles) south of Mbabane. The sports facilities, which include a golf course and swimming pool, are excellent. The nearby Mkondo River twists its way through gorges and valleys, past waterfalls, pools and rapids and, in the distance, the mountain ranges gleam brown, mauve and blue. Some of Swaziland's finest paintings are found in this area. Other indigenous paintings are located in the mountains north of Mbabane.
Nature Reserves & Game Parks
The Swaziland National Trust Commission (SNTC) is responsible for the preservation and development of Swaziland's many areas of natural beauty and wildlife. There are currently four SNTC nature reserves, namely Malolotja, Hawane, Mantenga and Mlawula, all of which are inhabited by a rich widlife (including rare species such as the aardwolf or African finfoot) and a wide range of bird species. These reserves are characterised by some of the most beautiful landscapes in southern Africa. In recent years, strong efforts were made to bring back wildlife to the country. As a result, the SNTC has taken a number of once privately run game parks under its wing such as Mlilwane, the country's oldest established game sanctuary. Other game sanctuaries that have recently been proclaimed protected areas are Malolotsha, in the north near Piggs Peak; Hlane, in the shadow of the escarpment in the northeast; and Mkhaya. Hlane has wide open spaces supporting big herds of game where the visitor can see the old traditional scenes of Africa. Both Hlane and Malolotsha, which is situated on top of a mountain range and surrounded by steep canyons and waterfalls, are easily reached by road and different types of accommodation and tours are available. For more information, contact the Swaziland National Trust Commission, PO Box 100, Lobamba, Swaziland (tel: (41) 61481 or 61179; fax: (41) 61875; e-mail: staff@swazimus.org.sz; website: sntc.org.sz); or the Ministry of Tourism (see Address section).
Mkhaya Game Reserve
Roughly 30km north of Big Bend is Mkhaya Nature Reserve, situated along a turn-off from the brilliantly named village of Phuzumoya ('drink the wind') in classic lowveld scrubland, filled with acacia and thorn trees. Ted Reilly initially purchased Mkhaya to save the long-horned Nguni cattle when white beef-farmers regarded them as too puny and unproductive for their industry, and replaced them with imported stock.Today, the cattle graze alongside zebra, wildebeest and antelope, just as they always used to. Among the other endangered species at Mkhaya are the rare black rhinos and the near-extinct roan antelope.
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
This reserve, near Lobamba, is in the heart of the Ezulwini Valley. Its name, Mlilwane, refers to the little fire that appears on occasion when lightning strikes the granite mountains. The wildlife is predominantly herbivorous, including antelope, giraffe and zebra, but crocodiles are not uncommon. Over 100km of road enables you to drive through the park to view game or guided walks and drives can be arranged through the park office.
Mlawula Nature Reserve
The Lubombo Mountains that run along the eastern border of Mlawula Nature Reserve provide fantastic views of both Swaziland and the western fringes of Mozambique. Unique species of ironwood trees and cycads grow on the slopes. There are well-organised trails through the reserve. The Mlawula stream and more substantial Mbuluzi River both flow through some spectacular valleys in this reserve, and early Stone Age tools over one million years old have been found along their beds. | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
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