3. Swaziland - 14 July to 16 July 2009

Lobamba, Swaziland

From Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary on the way to Mbabane on Tuesday 14 July, we visited the King Sobhuza II Memorial Park and the National Museum at Lobamba. King Sobhuza II led the Swazi people to independence in 1968 (and had 70 wives much to Brian's intrigue) and 200 children.

After busy Mbabane visited the Ngwenya Glass Factory where 70 locals are employed making all sorts of glassware and ornaments from recycled clear glass. They make 1700 items per day. They were trained by Swedish glassmakers in the 60s as part of a Swedish aid program, and three of the originally trained glassblowers are still working there. We now sip wine from Ngwenya glasses with little glass elephants high on the stem. Very flash!!

A cold foggy night camped in the Malolotja Nature Reserve north of Mbabane, quite remote but beautiful, with the campsites nestled into the boulder formations of the hills.

On Wednesday 15 July, travelled through the north of Swaziland to Piggs Peak and through mountainous logging country, remote but with scattered villages and always people walking, waiting and standing by the roadside. Mini-bus taxis are found everywhere full of people and driving fast.

Camped at Hlane Royal National Park. Very pleasant. A bus load of school children from St Michaels in Manzini pulled up and had their lunch not far from our campsite. The three teachers seemed very stretched, though the children were exceptionally well behaved. Game drive in the afternoon with a lion sighting, having already seen white rhinoceros at the waterhole near the camp reception. Watched traditional dancers perform at night. All good fun.

Leaving Swaziland on Thursday July 16 drove through rich, irrigated farming country growing tall sugar cane, occasionally bordered with beautiful flowering bougainvilleas.