The kingdom of Swaziland is a friendly, compact and enchanting country to visit. Its landscapes range from dramatic mountain peaks to deep river valleys, from lush rolling hills to evocative bushveld plains. Add to this a thriving cultural heartbeat, a traditional monarchy going back hundreds of years and a proud national identity, and you have a really special vacation destination. Swaziland also boasts some top-notch adventure activities, such as river-rafting, quad-biking, mountain-biking, hiking, big game-viewing and horse-riding trails. There are plenty of accommodation options, ranging from 5-star international hotels to quaint B&Bs, to backpackers, to home-stays in traditional beehive huts. And there is a wide choice of places to eat, handmade crafts to buy and things to do. This book is the first travel guide entirely devoted to the kingdom of Swaziland. It includes a compelling account of the country’s fascinating history and cultural heritage. There are full listings of accommodation, eating and activity options. Suggested travel itineraries are included to help you make the most of your time in the Kingdom. Whatever your interests, whatever the season, Swaziland is a delight, just waiting for you.

• Discover the Kingdom of the Reed Dance
• Praise for the Southbound World Heritage series
• Title Page
• Also by
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• Table of Contents
• Getting started
  • Introduction
  • The basics
  • Orientation
  • Geology
  • Ecology
  • Conservation in Swaziland
  • The future of conservation
• A history of Swaziland
  • Early humans
  • The Bushmen
  • The first Swazis
  • The Royal Family
  • Sobhuza I (ruled 1815 – 1839)
  • Sobhuza, Zwide and Shaka
  • Sobhuza and Dingane
  • Mswati II (ruled 1840 – 1865)
  • Mswati and the Boers
  • Mswati and the missionaries
  • Making friends with Shepstone
  • The Shaka of the North
  • King Ludvonga
  • King Mbandzeni (ruled 1874 – 1889)
  • The British go to war
  • The concessions era begins
  • ‘Offy’ enters the picture
  • Concession mania!
  • The end of Swaziland?
  • King Bhunu (1894 – 1899)
  • The Boer occupation
  • The Anglo-Boer War
  • The British Protectorate
  • King Sobhuza II (ruled 1921 – 1982)
  • Towards independence
  • Too many politicians
  • The Diamond Jubilee
  • King Mswati III (1986 – present day)
  • The modern monarchy
• Exploring Swaziland
  • Getting there
• The Centre
  • Ngwenya
  • Ngwenya to Mbabane
  • Mbabane
  • Mhlambanyatsi and Bhunya
  • Mbabane to Ezulwini
  • The Ezulwini Valley
  • The Malkerns Valley Meander
  • Manzini
• The Northwest
• The Southwest
• The Northeast
• The Southeast
  • Suggested itineraries
  • Volunteer tourism
  • Adventure tourism
  • Tour operators and cultural guides
  • Cultural festivals
  • General information
• Websites
• References / further reading
• Index
• Author’s note