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Swaziland% POP 1.3 MILLION / 268
Includes Why Go? Mbabane...... 957 In short: big things come in small packages. The intrigu- Ezulwini Valley...... 959 ing kingdom of Swaziland is diminutive but boasts a huge Lobamba...... 960 checklist for any visitor. Rewarding wildlife-watching? Tick. Mlilwane Wildlife Adrenaline-boosting activities such as rafting and mountain Sanctuary...... 961 biking? Tick. Lively and colourful local culture, with cele- brations and ceremonies still common practice? Tick. Plus Manzini...... 962 there are superb walking trails, stunning mountain and flat- Malolotja land scenery, varied accommodation options and excellent, Nature Reserve...... 962 high-quality handicrafts. Hlane Royal Unlike South Africa, Swaziland has managed to hold on to National Park...... 963 that slow-down-this-is-Africa feeling, and that’s why it’s gain- Understand ing in popularity. Everything remains small and personable. Swaziland...... 965 Instead of making a flying visit here on your way to Kru- Survival Guide...... 966 ger National Park, KwaZulu-Natal or Mozambique, consider staying at least a week to do the country justice. If you plan a visit during the winter months, try to make it coincide with the Umhlanga festival, one of Africa’s biggest cultural events. Best Places to Eat ¨¨eDladleni (p957) ¨¨Lihawu Restaurant (p960) When to Go ¨¨Ramblas Restaurant Mbabane (p957) °C/°F Te mp Rainfall inches/mm 40/104 12/300
30/86 Best Places to 8/200 20/68
Sleep 4/100 ¨¨Stone Camp (p965) 10/50
¨¨Sondzela Backpackers 0/32 0 (p961) J FDM A M J J A S O N
¨¨Brackenhill Lodge (p957) Dec–Apr Full Feb–Mar Buganu May–Sep Wonder- ¨¨Lidwala Backpacker Lodge rivers and lush season – enjoy ful wildlife viewing (p959) vegetation. home-brewed in the lowveld. Incwala festival marula beer in Don’t miss the ¨¨Phophonyane Falls takes place in rural Swaziland. Umhlanga festival. Ecolodge & Nature Reserve Lobamba. (p964)
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Swaziland 956