Swaziland
Swaziland (now called Eswatini) has a rich history & culture. Eswatini also offers Big 5 game safaris, natural beauty activities such as hiking, bird-watching, cultural tours and so much more.
The Kingdom of Eswatini is a small landlocked country, surrounded completely by South Africa except for a short border with Mozambique. It is 17364 square kilometers and is divided into 4 regional administrative districts: Hhohho, Lubombo, Shiselweni, and Manzini.
Mbabane is the capital of Eswatini and is in the Hhohho region. Lobamba is the legislative capital. The official currency of Eswatini is the Lilangeni (plural is Emalangeni) which is equivalent to the South African Rand.
Tourism is starting to increase and as this happens so do the facilities on offer. The natural draw-cards are there so if you are looking for an 'off the beaten track' adventure, Eswatini is an excellent place to go.
This laid-back, easy-going and unbelievably beautiful country is one of the few absolute monarchies left in the world.
During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, African people of Nguni descent migrated southward from Central Africa, and eventually, during the mid-eighteenth century, a group of them settled in the area which is now Eswatini. These people, the Nkosi Dlamini, became known as the Swazis, and today both names live on. Nkosi means ‘king’ and Dlamini is the surname of the royal family.
The successor to the throne is chosen in relation to the status of his mother. A Queen Mother is selected because of her high rank, however, the Queen Mother will be chosen by the Royal Council after the King's death, she will be from an unrelated family. The Royal family line, the Dlamini's, never intermarry; the King is always a Dlamini, the Queen Mother is never a Dlamini. The Queen Mother may have only one son, as a king is not to be followed by blood brothers. He is "Nkosi Dlamini" and is expected to unify his position by choosing wives from all sectors of the community. The balance of power lies between the King and the Queen Mother; the "Ngwenyama" represents the hardness as expressed in thunder, the Queen Mother or "Ndlovukazi" (The Elephant) the softness as in water. They assist and advise each other in many activities, each complementing the other. The Royal Council plays a key role in the selection of the successor to the throne. He must be single and if still a minor, the Queen Mother to the late automatically assumes the responsibility of Regent until the prince is crowned "Ngwenyama". The present Queen Mother, Queen Ntombi ruled as Queen Regent until King Mswati lll was crowned in April 1986.
Eswatini has become quite renowned for its arts and crafts and 2 of these, in particular, are Swazi Candles and Ngwenya Glass.
Swazi Candles:
Swazi Candles is situated in the Malkerns Valley and has been producing fine handmade candles since 1981.
Artists and craftsmen produce unique candle designs using the age-old technique of 'millefiore'. The art of millefiore was originally used for glass making, but instead of glass, the gifted candle makers of Eswatini use a special hard wax to create their colorful designs. The hard wax veneer forms the outer shell of the candle, which hardly melts when the candle is lit. Hence the rich, romantic glow of the illuminated exterior as the candle burns, and the burn-again quality when refitted with the votive or tea candle. (Mini sizes do not burn in this manner, yet retain their intrinsic value as works of Swazi craft.)
Ngwenya Glass Village:
At Ngwenya Glass Village, re-cycled glass is used to hand-make beautiful pieces of glass sculptures from African animals, birds, fish, large vases, and wine coolers to tableware and simple paperweights.
All our Eswatini itineraries are incorporated into our South African packages so visit South Africa Suggested Itineraries
The successor to the throne is chosen in relation to the status of his mother. A Queen Mother is selected because of her high rank, however, the Queen Mother will be chosen by the Royal Council after the King's death, she will be from an unrelated family. The Royal family line, the Dlamini's, never intermarry; the King is always a Dlamini, the Queen Mother is never a Dlamini. The Queen Mother may have only one son, as a king is not to be followed by blood brothers. He is "Nkosi Dlamini" and is expected to unify his position by choosing wives from all sectors of the community. The balance of power lies between the King and the Queen Mother; the "Ngwenyama" represents the hardness as expressed in thunder, the Queen Mother or "Ndlovukazi" (The Elephant) the softness as in water. They assist and advise each other in many activities, each complementing the other. The Royal Council plays a key role in the selection of the successor to the throne. He must be single and if still a minor, the Queen Mother to the late automatically assumes the responsibility of Regent until the prince is crowned "Ngwenyama". The present Queen Mother, Queen Ntombi ruled as Queen Regent until King Mswati lll was crowned in April 1986.
Eswatini has become quite renowned for its arts and crafts and 2 of these, in particular, are Swazi Candles and Ngwenya Glass.
Swazi Candles:
Swazi Candles is situated in the Malkerns Valley and has been producing fine handmade candles since 1981.
Artists and craftsmen produce unique candle designs using the age-old technique of 'millefiore'. The art of millefiore was originally used for glass making, but instead of glass, the gifted candle makers of Eswatini use a special hard wax to create their colorful designs. The hard wax veneer forms the outer shell of the candle, which hardly melts when the candle is lit. Hence the rich, romantic glow of the illuminated exterior as the candle burns, and the burn-again quality when refitted with the votive or tea candle. (Mini sizes do not burn in this manner, yet retain their intrinsic value as works of Swazi craft.)
Ngwenya Glass Village:
At Ngwenya Glass Village, re-cycled glass is used to hand-make beautiful pieces of glass sculptures from African animals, birds, fish, large vases, and wine coolers to tableware and simple paperweights.
All our Eswatini itineraries are incorporated into our South African packages so visit South Africa Suggested Itineraries
Some of Eswatini's attractions: