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[kevandsian]

We'll be spending a short time in Swaziland later this year as part of our honeymoon. Just wondering from anyone who's been there, what are the best things to see and do, any tips? We'll be driving through and have heard good things about Mkhaya and Miliwane Game Reserves anyone been to either of these?

Any suggestions welcome.

Sian

[siscri]

My ex-girlfriend is currently traveling Africa as part of a backpacker overland thing and managed to spend a short time in Swaziland. She writes about it on Pod here.

Give her an email if you want to know anything more or I can ask her anything next time I'm in touch.

She really enjoyed it anyway, but that could be because she's no longer traveling with me.

[kevandsian]

Hey!

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated. Have read her pod and am more envious than ever that it's not me travelling through Africa, I miss it! Will probably drop her an email soon, sounds like she had a great time, hope to go to Miliwane too.

Sian

[spock]

There's an annual dance in Swaziland when all virgins present themselves before the king and he takes his pick.But only one per year !

[whereshegoes]

There's an annual dance in Swaziland when all virgins present themselves before the king and he takes his pick.But only one per year !

Does he trade in last years model or just accumulate them?

[spock]

He accumulates them and the dance is topless (its a fact).

[Allen]

http://scoop.agonist.org/story/2005/8/29/152121/999

!!!!!!!!!

Swaziland is different! I only spent a few days there, but saw some odd things. Prostitution is very open. The bar/club near my hostel had many that worked the crowd. I had not seen that in any of the other African countries I visited.

[spock]

Whew,50,000 virgins.He should get to pick more than one model per year.

[dcm]

We'll be spending a short time in Swaziland later this year as part of our honeymoon. Just wondering from anyone who's been there, what are the best things to see and do, any tips? We'll be driving through and have heard good things about Mkhaya and Miliwane Game Reserves anyone been to either of these?

Any suggestions welcome.

Sian

Hi Sian

I travelled through Swaziland last January and it was awesome. We were in a rush (seven of us in a huge F*#$-off Forward Control Landrover) travelling into Mozambique for 2 weeks and then back to Cape Town through Swaziland). We freecamped everywhere and found everyone to be extremely friendly - without expecting anything in return. There was no bribary and corruption, and the game parks are amazing (and cheap). We drove through some state parks - there are no fences and the wild animals just roam about - excellent photo ops!

How will you be travelling? What route? How much time do you have?

[kevandsian]

Hi, sorry for the big delay in replying, last minute wedding panic has taken over! Anyway, many thanks for your comments on Swaziland, good to hear its quite relaxed - it sounds amazing. We havent decided on a route yet but we'll only be there for a few days, self driving in our hire car. Which parks would you recommend?

SianMy Webpage

[Allen]

Not sure of the parks in Swaziland, but you'll be right next to Kruger National Park. Nelspruit, S.A is close to Swaziland and is one of the major starting points for Kruger.

[manik23]

We'll be spending a short time in Swaziland later this year as part of our honeymoon. Just wondering from anyone who's been there, what are the best things to see and do, any tips? We'll be driving through and have heard good things about Mkhaya and Miliwane Game Reserves anyone been to either of these?

Any suggestions welcome.

Sian

Hi there I must say that it has been sometime since i was last in Swaziland 1974-1979 but from what I remember it was awsome although be prepared for the awfull state of affairs as far as aids is concerned lots of orphaned kids begging but this I am afraid is a standard for a lot of Africa...All I can say is go be open enjoy and safe travel.The game reserve was as i remember fun and exciting we had encounters with an enraged Elephant which scared the S*$# out of me but a memory I will always cherish.....

[kevandsian]

Just thought I'd update this now that we've returned from our honeymoon. Swaziland was great, we were only there for a couple of days but found it really laid back with wonderfully friendly people. For anyone else who's thinking of visiting then I'd recommend Phophonyane Nature Reserve near Piggs Peak. Phophonyane Great walks, beautiful landscape and worth exploring over a couple of days. We stayed in a traditional beehive hut which was fun.

Although we didn't stay there, I also heard that Sobantu Guest Farm Sobantu is a good place to stay, enjoy a bit of rural Swaziland and get involved with the local community if you want.

Anyone interested in volunteering could try All Out Projects which offers a wide range of projects in South Africa, Mozambique and Swaziland. All Out Projects.

Another good place to visit near Mbabane is Ngwenya Glass, interesting place selling products from recycled glass.

We didn't bother with the game parks in Swaziland simply because we spent a long time in several parks in South Africa and preferred to see what else Swaziland had to offer - it didn't disappoint.

Sian

[whereshegoes]

Thank you for all the tips! Great to hear you had a good time

[wakingdream]

Just thought I'd update this now that we've returned from our honeymoon. Swaziland was great, we were only there for a couple of days but found it really laid back with wonderfully friendly people.

Congratulations! Many happy returns guys.
I was checking out the site you provided for volunteering and it looks really good. Infact, I've been thinking of Mozambique for such a thing.
Thanks. Alot of good info there.

[dsouza]

so your honeymoon trip was romantic , isn"t it

[dsouza]

We'll be spending a short time in Swaziland later this year as part of our honeymoon. Just wondering from anyone who's been there, what are the best things to see and do, any tips? We'll be driving through and have heard good things about Mkhaya and Miliwane Game Reserves anyone been to either of these?

Any suggestions welcome.

Sian

can you give some more info about Swaziland.