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Swaziland travel info
The huge diversity of climatic and vegetation zones represented in
Swaziland is incredible for a country of its size. Beautiful rolling
grasslands, mountain streams, waterfalls and small pockets of
indigenous forests characterize the Highveld in the west.
The Middleveld is slightly warmer, a little more tropical and includes
the Ezulwini Valley (Valley of Heaven). It is here that most of the
Kingdom's major tourist attractions are concentrated, including
hotels, spas and casinos.
The hot, dry Lowveld is home to three of the Kingdom's five reserves
and the only populations of big game in Swaziland. At Mkhaya Game
Reserve, endangered animals such as black and white rhino find refuge.
Hlane Royal National Park also supports white rhino, elephant and
lion. On the country's easternmost border, the altitude rises steeply
again and the Lebombo Mountains straddle the border with Mozambique.
Roads are adequate, but some barely so, especially during the rainy
season.
Malolotja Nature Reserve's beautiful hills are a hiker's dreams come
true, and day trails on horseback can be undertaken through
game-filled valleys or to historical sites. Fly-fishing can be enjoyed
in the clear mountain streams in the reserve. For the adventurous
there are white-water rafting trips and abseiling into inaccessible
gorges.
Crafts are quite different from the rest of the region and are very
sophisticated in design and execution. Some of the more renowned
include the superb recycled glassware made at Ngwenya, the exquisitely
patterned handmade Swazi Candles and beautiful printed objects. There
are also weaving studios, clothing manufacturers and potters.
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