Swaziland is a geographically small country of just over a million people. It is located in the southern hemisphere in what is known in geopolitical terms as southern Africa. The Kingdom of Swaziland, as it is officially known, is one of the last four remaining monarchies in Africa. Its only neighbors are South Africa and Mozambique. It is a country of relative political stability. In recent years, Swaziland has increasingly faced economic challenges that have often given rise to political tensions.
In terms of tourism, the country is a relatively popular tourist destination. International travelers from as far away as Switzerland, the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom visit the country each year. This small nation has been immortalized by the famous annual reed dance, a cultural activity in which thousands of young women participate. This event has attracted many travelers to Swaziland over the years.
Perhaps the first thing to consider is how to get to Swaziland. International travelers to Swaziland often travel by air. Currently, there are no direct commercial flights to this Kingdom nation. Tourists usually first travel to Johannesburg, South Africa by air and then connect for the last leg to Swaziland. There is only one airport in the country called Matsapha International Airport. This is a small airport that only handles very small aircraft. Plans are underway but appear behind schedule to complete a new airport to handle larger planes like the Boeing 747.
Most countries, particularly those with a history of sending many tourists like those listed above, do not require a visa to enter Swaziland. This applies for stays that do not exceed 30 days. This is usually enough for many tourists to explore this little kingdom without difficulty. Once in Swaziland, many tourists find accommodation in the Ezwilini Valley. This is located near the capital Mbabane and is somewhat located in the center of the country. The Ezwilini Valley is also special due to its often unique climate, great views of the mountains and the lush valley itself, and affordable accommodation.
Once in the Valley, there are many activities to do. Some of the things to do include visiting the cultural village, the candle factory, the glass factory, and the historical shrines. Some attractions involve travel distances far from the Valley. All in all, with determination it is easy to explore the entire country in a few days. This is because the country’s maximum breath is about 200 km.
In addition to traveling to the country by air, it is also possible to enter the country by road. This frequently happens with tour buses originating from Johannesburg. A visit to Swaziland can even be a short visit of two or three days. It takes about 3 hours to travel from Johannesburg to Mbabane by road. In many cases, driving to Swaziland can be advantageous as it will be much easier to explore the country. However, it is still not a difficult task to rent a car or find taxes to get around once one is on the ground. Hotels and hostels are also more than willing to help with internal travel arrangements.