Swaziland Guide
Introduction to Swaziland
A tiny landlocked kingdom, Swaziland lies in the spanner-like grip of South Africa which surrounds it on three sides, with Mozambique providing its eastern border along the Lubombo Mountains. Although South Africa's influence predominates, Swaziland was a British protectorate from 1906 until its full independence in 1968, and today the country offers an intriguing mix of colonial heritage and homegrown confidence, giving the place a friendlier, more relaxed and often safer feeling than its larger neighbour.
Though Swaziland still feels a lot more commercialized than, say, Lesotho, its outstanding scenery, along with its commitment to wildlife conservation, makes it well worth a visit. With a car and a bit of time, you can explore some of the less trampled reserves, make overnight stops in unspoilt, out-of-the-way settlements and, if you time your visit well, take in something of Swaziland's well-preserved cultural traditions.
Swaziland is also something of a draw for backpackers, with useful transport links to different parts of South Africa as well as Mozambique, and some good backpacker lodges. The country also has plenty of adventure activities on offer – from mountain biking and horse-riding to whitewater rafting.