Category

Wildlife

Wildlife

Fantastic safari beasts and where to find them: Rhinos in Eswatini

Imagine this. The year is 2092. The world that was once a lush green planet, roaring with magnificent rivers and an oceans spilling over with marine life is now a dead zone. A concrete and iron dessert that only has skyscrapers for canopies and museums to view rare species of trees. Most of the endangered species we fought so hard to preserve in the early 21st century have all been inevitably wiped out, one decreasing population and destroyed habitat at a time. Are you imagining this? Now picture yourself standing on what used to be an African jungle, taking a tour through what the wild and outback of Eswatini was. The acacia trees have silently uprooted themselves from the soil and much to their tragedy the last of the unicorns are gone. The Rhinos. The beautiful beasts we dehorned and tried to preserve. All Gone. And as you stand there, taking it all in, this big mess of human doing,  it finally dawns on you that this is all that man will be remembered for. Now, rewind to present day Eswatini. The last of the unicorns are still here (Thank Heavens) and if we continue to protect them, hypothetical 2092 might play out much differently for the Kingdom. The land is still a gorgeous piece of unmatched bio-heritage and our reserves are still brimming with species of birds, full rivers and thick forests. The country’s rich biodiversity and inarguably gorgeous landscape is what makes it one of the most pristine…
m0uN7@1n1nn5
Monday October 7th, 2019
ActivitiesEswatiniWildlife

Where to bird watch in Eswatini

Winter is over and Spring in all her colors is waltzing right in, welcoming the last third of the year as the perfect time to view Eswatini’s vast and diverse bird life. The small kingdom is home to one of the world’s largest bird populations with over 500 different species and it is the climate, the diversity of vegetation as well as its wide altitudinal range that makes it one of the best places on the continent for a variety of birds to thrive. Here’s a look at five of the best places in Eswatini to do bird-watching. Malolotja Game reserve Malolotja Nature Reserve is one of southern Africa's important bird areas due to the reserve supporting a significant number of globally threatened and near threatened species as well as a significant number of restricted-range species. More than 280 species of birds have been recorded at the reserve and the birdlife haven is an ideal breeding spot favorite for many endangered birds including the blue swallow, blue crane and Stanley's bustard. The reserve also excitingly contains rare species such as striped flufftails and black-rumped buttonquails. Blue Crane Hlane Royal National Park Hlane Royal National Park is the country’s largest park and a definite bird watcher’s paradise. It lies northeast of Manzini in the Lowveld area of Eswatini. The park is considered one of the true bird parks of the world. Raptors are of wide variety and stunning martial eagles, bateleurs, and Long-crested Eagles can be spotted here. Hlane is also…
m0uN7@1n1nn5
Wednesday August 14th, 2019
ActivitiesEswatiniWildlife

Best hiking places in Eswatini

We’re almost at that time of the year where we’re ready to pack away our sandals and sarongs and trade them in for some boots and fleece sweaters. Autumn is drawing to a close and leaving with it are the warm days where we could be caught reclining by the poolside or binge drinking on Mojitos but, that’s okay. As dreary and gloomy as winter can get, it’s still a season that can be packed with all sorts of fun and engaging activities to do, one of which is Hiking. There is nothing as rewarding as a trek through bush and woodland on a cool day. Although the slopes can get wet from time to time, it’s still almost perfect weather because it eliminates the discomfort of sweating your way up a hill. Eswatini is a rich landscape of different hiking experiences that can be a thrill for anyone who dares to reach a summit. From green hilled Sibebe down by Mbuluzi just past Pine valley, to woodlands in the Mlawula reserve and even our ghastly Execution rock that holds a dark history in the constitutional pages of Eswatini. You can rest easy in knowing that a day of bootlegging through our veld and mountains can make for memories worth keeping, sharing or even instagramming. Here’s a list of the 4 best places to catch some views in the kingdom. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary Take a drive through the valley, past Lobamba and make a short right just after Ludzidzini Royal…
m0uN7@1n1nn5
Thursday April 25th, 2019
ActivitiesWildlife

Where to have the best Safari Experiences in Eswatini

A lioness in the wild Eswatini is a safari destination, with the country’s rich variety of landscapes and hundredfold habits being home to many wild animal species. From the magnificent ‘Big Five’ to warthogs, antelope and reptiles and even birds. Eswatini is a bird-watcher’s paradise with about 500 species of birds recorded in the country, which is pretty remarkable for a country as tiny as ours is, especially if such a tally is roughly on par with France which has 517 species and closer to home, the Kruger National Park which has 505. The many game parks and nature reserves across the country help protect a vast variety of animals, especially the Rhino which is sadly endangered. Safari experiences In Eswatini can be very rewarding and can be enjoyed in multiple ways. From ranger guided game drives, safari on foot to cycling and biking and even safari on horseback. The greatest emphasis in Eswatini is to provide visitors with a more intimate wildlife experience in areas of natural beauty, which our reserves do so quite well. Here’s a look at some of the best places for safari experiences in pristine Eswatini. Hlane Royal National Park Game drive Hlane is the country’s largest protected area and extends either side of the MR3. This is what makes it incredible because you can spot wildlife along the side of the highway as you dive by. There are different camps within the park, all of which are located on the western sector of it.…
m0uN7@1n1nn5
Tuesday April 16th, 2019
ActivitiesEswatiniWildlife

Eswatini might just be the 8th wonder of the world

Swazi Flag One thing we hear a lot of in our hotel is how Eswatini is a beautiful place. We hear it so many times in a day that we have grown accustomed to this compliment. Nodding and smiling dutifully, and that isn’t because we have become pompous or indifferent of this compliment, but because we also wholeheartedly agree. In fact, Eswatini isn’t just beautiful, it’s absolutely gorgeous. Micro in size, grand in culture and colourful in traditions, Eswatini is one of Africa’s gems. It’s straight out of a postcard, boasting of blue mountains and green hills. Its rivers flow from one city to another, village to village. Which almost abstractly describes the linkage of Eswatini’s people- small in number, huge in unity. Our rivers are full of fresh water life and the forest are home to a Zambezia of birdlife- colourful and diverse like the beaded networks in our traditional regalia. Eswatini is breath taking; an experience to be had and quite frankly a memory to keep. I suppose that’s why it’s so easy to ponder if is this small little state off the corner of Africa’s south side, could quite possibly be the 8th wonder of the world. Landscape and climate Mountains in Eswatini The landscape in Eswatini is a variation of tall trees in the Highveld; where the forestry industry thrives, to grasslands in the Low veld and thorny bushes and shrubs. The middle veld is a cross breed of both, and so is its climate. Warm…
m0uN7@1n1nn5
Wednesday March 13th, 2019