EswatiniTiny Kingdom

History

Artifacts indicate human presence since the Early Stone Age. San hunter-gatherers left rock art—some panels are tens of thousands of years old. Iron Age farmers arrived by the 4th century. By the early 19th century, the Swazi polity consolidated under Sobhuza I, followed by expansion under Mswati II. After a period as a British protectorate (1906–1968), the kingdom gained independence; in 2018 it adopted the official name Eswatini.

Wildlife

Hlane Royal National Park is known for the Big Five, including lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and (elusive) leopard. Mkhaya Game Reserve focuses on endangered species: excellent black & white rhino sightings, buffalo, sable, roan and tsessebe; elephants were removed in 2015 to protect habitat. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary allows walking and cycling because it lacks large dangerous game.

Vegetation & Terrain

Eswatini’s terrain is mostly mountains and hills with sloping plains. A fault line running from the Drakensberg northwards creates varied environments—from Highveld grassland and evergreen forest patches to Lowveld savanna and bushveld. The Lebombo Mountains on the Mozambican border are cut by the Ngwavuma, Usutu and Mbuluzi rivers, shaping canyons and diverse habitats.

Activities

Eswatini is ideal for intimate, low-volume safari and soft adventure. Popular activities include guided game drives and walking safaris (Mkhaya, Hlane), self-guided hiking and cycling (Mlilwane), birding (500+ species recorded), horse riding, caving, rock climbing and abseiling, white-water rafting, canopy tours and year-round cultural festivals.