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Learn about Eswatini

Learn about Eswatini (Swaziland), a rare blend of big game viewing opportunities and ancient customs woven into everyday life. The Kingdom offers close up and personal wildlife encounters. It is considered one of the best places to see white rhino in the world, you can even track them on foot. It’s Africa in a nutshell.

5 Highlights – Learn about Eswatini

Stay in Mkhaya Game Reserve

Mkhaya is a remote wilderness area in the heart of the lowveld, a safe haven for wildlife. Here you can see white rhino and the elusive black rhino as well as animals in the endangered breeding program such as roan, sable and tsessebe antelopes. Mkhaya offers intimate encounters and superb photographic opportunities and the inspiring accommodation gently immerses you into nature.

magical mkhaya

Walking safaris

Eswatini offers walking safaris in its reserves so you can see wildlife from a different perspective. Be guided by expert rangers and have a heart stopping and memorable moment when walking with rhino. Alternatively you can safely and independently explore reserves with no dangerous game; hike unspoilt mountain wilderness, wander amongst zebra on the open plains or amble in savannah amongst a ‘journey’ of giraffe.

walking safaris in Eswatini

Visit a local community

Shewula Mountain Camp and Mhlumeni Bush Camp are eco-tourism projects which are locally owned and run. Your support goes directly to the community. Gain an intimate insight into the local way of life through guided walks, spending time at a school, joining a church service, visiting local homesteads and meeting a sangoma or traditional healer, a powerful person in Emaswati culture.

visit a sangoma

Watch traditional dancing

The most photographed experience in the Kingdom, the Sibhaca dance, will leave you with a smile on your face and a shake in your step. The dancers, proudly dressed in traditional regalia, will show you the importance of this dance and offer you the chance to learn it for yourself, if you are up for it! Watch the dance around the camp fire under a star lit sky with drums resonating through the night.

the Reed dance or umhlanga

Arts and crafts

Eswatini is renowned for its talented artisans who create artefacts from local sustainable materials. Visit workshops and see these crafts hand created before your very eyes; animal candles, grass place mats, woven fabrics, batik wall hangings, glass ornaments and wooden sculptures. There is also a local gin and a variety of delicious chilli sauces to taste. Many products are sold overseas and are in high demand.

what to see and do in Eswatini

Learn About Eswatini

  • Capital: Mbabane
  • Area: 17,364 km²
  • Languages: English and siSwati
  • Where to visit: Mlilwane, Mkhaya and Mbuluzi.
  • Wildlife to spot: rhino, warthog, giraffe and Narina Trogon.

Travel to reserves where others hardly visit and escape back to nature, and learn about Eswatini.

There are short travelling distances between wildlife reserves, craft markets, community ventures and other attractions. So there’s more time to relax by waterholes, spend time with locals and watch culturally invigorating events. It’s a fascinating, safe and friendly destination.

Experience an adventurer’s paradise. There are many alternative activities to incorporate into your itinerary; hiking and walking safaris, mountain biking in reserves, horse riding amongst wildlife, canopy tour in the highveld and white water rafting the Utusu River.

We specialise in Eswatini. Jenny Bowen, Director of Sense Earth, often guides group trips to the Kingdom.

Eswatini is a personal and off the beaten track destination and was voted one of the Top 10 Destinations to visit in 2020 by Lonely Planet.

Join the Sense Earth family.

Contact Us

Get in touch about a trip to Eswatini.

We represent The Kingdom in the UK, we are the experts.

Call us now about Eswatini

When to Go – Learn about Eswatini

January

White water rafting is at its most hectic will full rivers. See spectacular electrical storms flashing across the sky.

February

The rainy season is best for photography as the light is superb and skies are dramatic – no hazy mist from bushfires.

March

Marula festival. End of the rainy season. Vegetation is lush and vibrant in the lowveld, teeming with young.

April

Migratory birds flock together and begin to depart. Skies clear and become clear and crisp yet still warm all day.

May

The family friendly MTN BUSHFIRE festival occurs at the end of the month. A good time to hike up Sibebe Rock as it is cooler in the morning.

June

Cooler temperatures which is ideal for hiking. The Imvelo MTM classic mountain bike race takes place in Mlilwane. Great time for star gazing.

July

Cold in the highlands and Foresters Arms Hotel have their fires lit. Ideal for overnight guided hikes in Hlane and sleeping under the stars.

August

Umhlanga (reed dance) is visually spectacular, see it if you can. Vegetation is dying back so wildlife is effortless to spot – although never really hard to find in Eswatini.

September

Migratory birds begin to arrive back. Scenery is the classic baked red earth with waterholes receding and wildlife gathering to quench their thirst.

October

Start of rainy season and new growth bring vibrant colours to the bush. Days getting warmer. Impala begin to give birth and new life is abundant.

November

Rains bring out frogs and insects making nights noisier. Highveld flora is at its best. Birds are busy singling and displaying in colourful plumage.

December

Incwala festival (end of Dec or early Jan). Birds are very busy nest building. The month wildebeest give birth. Temperatures reach 40s.

Uncover the Beauty of Eswatini – Itineraries Featured

learn about rhino on the Discover Eswatini Itinerary
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Discover Eswatini - May/Jun 2025

This off the beaten track guided safari lets you explore beautiful Eswatini’s discreet and untouched attractions which are truly delightful.
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rhino - learn about Eswatini wildlife
11 Nights 4 Lodgings From £3,895

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR 2024/2025

Spend the festive season on safari in Eswatini, Africa. On Christmas Day walk amongst game and New Year’s Eve dine out under the stars.
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