Swaziland Some Beautiful

March 21 - 24, 2017

Swaziland is a very poor country, but many parts of the cities seem more developed than those in South Africa. Frequently we would see extremely cute school children, all in uniform, walking home from school along the major highway, some no more than 4, made us wonder about their safety.

Outside Manzini.


We took an instant liking to the Ezulwini Valley where we stayed in the Mlilwane Game Park for three nights. The view from our campsite is one we are unlikely to have again.  Green Mountains with wildlife like zebra, warthog and nyala near and in the camp.

This is the scenery our tent looked out on. I thought it was so beautiful and serene with the zebras in the background.

When we entered the park, not far from the campsite, this croc was heading for shore. We parked near and thought he would eat the tortoises beside him. He just knocked one into the water and sat there with his mouth agape.

The hikes through this paradise were beautiful. The hippos we saw from the path we walked along were frightening. They seemed much larger than those we had seen in St. Lucia from a boat. The snorts they let out had me fleeting away from the pond. Crocs were the other predators in this park. Extremely large scaly, hideous beasts. They lurked along the road used to drive to our campground. The morning we left, we watched at least 9 crocs feed on something they had taken into the pond.

The hippos did not seem as terrifying when we were in a boat in St. Lucia. Walking on land without any protection this one was enormous and was letting out constant snorts. I do not know if those were his warning signs to clear out. I took it as that. A mother and her baby were nearby. The locals warn about hippos and tell you to climb a tree if one comes at you. As the few trees show in this photo, that would have been difficult since they do not have branches and I am not sure how good any of us are at shimmying.

This is a zoom of the deadly beast. I did not take any more as I was escaping quickly.

Swaziland is known for its relaxed laid back way of life. The same can be said for its animals. Zebra would come right along the tents. Luke was sitting at he picnic table playing cards when a mother and young nyala walked past. He was able to touch the young one. The morning we left we were all huddled on top of our picnic table as a mother warthog attempted to charge.

This pool was voted the best pool we had come across so far. The first night there was a family of warthogs grazing along the side.

Playing crazy eights.

Nancy opted to stay in a Zulu beehive.

The inside.

Precautions are necessary!

Nate making friends with a Nyala.

We did not get tired of the scenery on our walks and runs down these roads.

These were mighty bossy!

This country is also known for their handicrafts. The craft market showed that Levi has the best bargaining skills of us all. He negotiated a great deal for carved wooden mask. Grass weaving, batiks, wooden carvings and beadwork are some of the local wares.

Some of the crafts for sale.

Upon leaving the camp we saw crocodiles feasting. They must not have been too hunger as they were taking their time eating.

This one was along the road (and pathway we would run up to) on our way out of the park.

The Ngwenya glass factory was the last stop on our way out of the valley. The glass blowers work in 35 degree heat all day producing 1500 artifacts/day from recycled glass.

Through Pigg’s Peak on a less maintained tar road we crossed at Jeppes Reef to get back in to South Africa. So much for needing birth certificates for minors in SA. Neither leaving the country nor entering it again were we required to show them. The customs officer on the SA side did not even look at us as she stamped each of our passports. We found out later they had been on strike the day before we crossed and had we have come a day earlier we would have had a major detour.

Shops near the boarding crossing.

We saw our first banana plantations along the highway to Kruger.

We arrived in the heat of the day to Kruger through the Malwane entrance. The heat must have all the animals hiding as we did not see much during our 1.5 hour drive to Skukusa. Kruger is huge! Lots of accommodation available in the camp.