Swaziland Full Day Tour


	The Kingdom of Swaziland, in Southern Africa, is one of Africa’s last remaining monarchies. Approximately 17 000 sq kilometres, the kingdom is bordered by the Republic of South Africa to the north, south and west and by Mozambique in the east and has a population of just over 1 million. The Kingdom of Swaziland was first populated in the middle of the 18th century by a migratory core of the Nguni people who moved down from the East Coast of Africa under the leadership of Dlamini III. During the subsequent reign of Ngwane III and his grandson Sobhuza 1, the new Swazi nation undertook a policy of expansion which resulted in an extensive kingdom which was inherited by Mswati II in the mid 19th century. Under Mswati’s leadership, Swaziland continued to prosper and the nation became known as “the land of the people of Mswati”. During the 1800’s, Europeans entered the area to seek concessions, and in 1894, Swaziland first became a protectorate of the Transvaal and following the Boer War, a British High Commission Territory in 1906. In 1921, King Sobhuza ll ascended the throne and was instrumental in the country’s drive to independence. In 1963, Swaziland achieved limited self- government and full independence in 1968. The king became the head of state, administering through a cabinet and a prime minister chosen by parliament. In 1973, King Sobhuza ll (reigned 1921 – 82) amended the constitution and assumed personal rule. The original constitution was formally abolished in 1976 and a new one adopted in 1978. After 61 years as monarch Sobhuza ll died and Prince Makhosetive Dlamini was selected as his successor in 1982; he was crowned King Mswati lll in 1986. Swaziland has a duel monarchy which means King Mswati lll rules in conjunction with the Queen Mother (who maybe the kings actual mother or on her death, a senior wife). Executive power is vested in the king who rules in constitution with the cabinet (headed by the prime minister), the bicameral parliament and the Swazi National Council known as Libandla. The legal system also operates on a duel basis – constitutional courts interpret and administer modified Roman-Dutch law and are paralleled by Swazi national courts administering Swazi law and custom. Join Drive The Big 5 on a one day tour of this fascinating Kingdom also known as “The Switzerland of Africa”.

Swaziland Full Day Tour

This tour is intended for guests staying at lodges, hotels and B&B’s in the White River, Nelspruit, Malelane and southern Kruger Park areas.

You will be collected from your lodge / hotel or B&B at about 08h00 for the transfer through to Swaziland. We will enter the Kingdom through the Jeppe’s Reef Border Gate which is 47 km’s or 30 minutes from Malelane. This is not a very busy border post so the formalities should take no longer that 10 minutes. After entering Swaziland we continue past vast orange and banana plantations and climb the escarpment to the mining town of Pigg’s Peak where we will stop at the Wayside Inn for tea and coffee.

We will then continue through pine and blue gum forests and descend into the beautiful Maguga Valley and up the other side to the Kingdom’s capital city of Mbabane. This is a journey through spectacular scenery and should take about 1h30. The tour will include a “city” tour of Mbabane and a visit to the market before we descend the escarpment to the Ezulwini Valley, also known as Swaziland’s Riviera. Full of hotels, casino’s, golf courses, restaurants, spa’s and night clubs. We will stop at the craft market in the valley before continuing onto Malandela’s in Malkerns for lunch. This is for the clients own account.

After lunch we will visit the well known candle factory and “Baobab Batik” where you will have the opportunity to purchase some magnificent and unique hand made gifts for your folk back home. We then retrace our steps and return to Mbabane and on to the well know Ngwenya Glass Factory. Here you will witness a group of Swazi craftsmen create amazing animals, wine, beer and an array of other glasses and other interesting artifacts from molten recycled glass. A truly captivating creation of “the spirit and soul of Africa”. From the Ngwenya Glass Factory to the Oshoek Border Post where we exit Swaziland is a few kilometers and from Oshoek back to your lodge, hotel or B&B is about a 90 minute drive, again through some breath taking scenery and mountain passes. A day to remember.

Cost: Swaziland full day tour

2-3 people: R1 500 per person.
4 plus people: R1 000 per person.

Included: All transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle; cross-border permit; Swazi Road Tax; services of a qualified guide; chilled mineral water; toll fees.
Excluded: Sabi Sand entrance fees if applicable; Swaziland visa's where applicable; lunch, items of a personal nature; gratuities.

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