Swaziland Editorial by Paul Paley

Swaziland offers a perfect getaway experience, with a good infrastructure, beautiful landscapes and extremely friendly people. Excellent connections provide drivers with routes from the Kruger area to Durban or via an option of new toll roads from Johannesburg. You can also connect across the country to Mozambique. Before you travel, take a look at the visa table, within our Route Planner, to see whether you need a visa. 

On our Swaziland Route Planner, we have highlighted major borders with opening and closing times. Smaller borders are not highlighted and if you are okay with dirt roads, you may want to try them. They include, the Bulembu border post, which is an alternative to Oshoek/ Matsamo and Salitje in the south, a great alternative to Golela/Lavumisa . 

Bulembu has great scenery as well as interesting towns such as Barberton and Bulembu. It connects the R40, on the SA side, to the MR2 on the Swazi side. There is however, 14km of bad road on the Swazi side and the border closes early at 16h00. 

Salitje is especially convenient on long weekends when Golela/Lavumisa is likely to be busy. It’s located just west of Golela, north of Pongola. On the SA side it’s tarred but does involve about 12 km of dirt road on the Swazi side. Opening hours are between 0800 and 1800. 

Should you wish to fly, Swaziland Airlink offers regular daily departures from Johannesburg and car hire should be booked online prior to your arrival. 

South African Rand is accepted everywhere in Swaziland, be careful though you may receive your change in Swazi Emalangeni. Make sure you use it before you leave, unless of course you wish to keep the colourful notes as souvenirs. The Swazi Emalangeni is on par with the Rand. 

Within the Route Planner, you will see highlighted recommended accommodation and attractions to visit. If you are driving into the north of the country, Phophonyane Falls is a great stop off point. The eco lodge there provides lovely scenery and an adjacent river to cool off in during hot summer months. Travel further down the MR1 and you find Hawane Resort offering horse riding and walks, amongst other activities. While in this area drop in to Ngwenya Glass to buy some souvenirs, well worth a visit to the shop and adjacent factory. 

Mbabane is the capital, off the MR3, where the elevated Mountain Inn is located, providing an a-la-carte restaurant, pool and views of the valley.  Not far away is  Mvubu Falls offering comfortable accommodation and a personal service by Belgian owners Greta and Marc. Travellers can also enjoy a personal service at Foresters Arms as you head south on the MR19 towards Mhlambanyatsi. Ruth's staff will look after your every need.  

For a truly royal experience the Royal Villas is amazing with great food, a large pool and plenty of space, perfect for a group with parking provided right outside your villa. The villas are located east of Manzini off the MR3. Big Game parks also offer accommodation nearby at famous Reilly's Rock, where you can take in the view and embark on bird watching and walking trails. If you want a game experience they also own Mkhaya Game Reserve to the east of Swaziland where you can stay in open cottages, a true nature experience. They recommend a 24 hour stop off, which includes game drive, dinner, bed and breakfast. 

Swazi Candles, to the east of Royal Villas, portrays amazing art applied to various hand moulded candles, why not stop there on your way to Nkonyeni Golf Lodge & Spa. Nkonyeni is south of Manzini on the MR9 and after 18 holes of golf, check in at their spa, have a game of tennis or just soak up the stunning scenery and relax. 

All our recommended properties offer different experiences, it depends on the time you have, what you prefer to do and the directions you wish to take that will determine your choices. 

View our selection and plan your route now by clicking here. You will find links direct to websites and booking systems.

Don't miss out on Swaziland during your next holiday. I'm sure you'll be pleased with your royal experience. 

Eight Bells Mountain Inn - Near Mossel Bay

Eight Bells Mountain Inn

The R328, or the Robertson Pass, is the best way of linking the Garden Route at Mossel Bay to The Route 62 at Oudtshoorn and visa versa. It offers travellers a stunning scenic drive and the most beautiful accommodation called Eight Bells Mountain Inn, located directly off the R328.

I only stayed one night, which wasn't nearly enough time as the activities on site are surprisingly vast. There is a fully functioning bowling green, two tennis courts, healthy horses ready to be ridden and walking trails around the estate for those hikers amongst you who enjoy the fresh mountain air.

When I first arrived and checked into my log cabin, it reminded me of the lake district in the UK. They gave me the end cabin with a magnificent mountain view. I was surrounded by green green grass with horses grazing, dwarfed by tall mountains, simply a beautiful location. 

There are choices of either en-sute bedrooms, family units, air-conditioned log cabins and thatched rondavals.  The garden is very well kept with a variety of birdlife and a lovely pool area in which to relax. A favourite of mine is the on-site pub, very English, great to sit there and have a pint and imagine you're in England. 

Dinner is served in the restaurant, where you can also enjoy a buffet and/or a full English breakfast. I decided to do an early morning walk beforehand to build up my appetite, so peaceful, with just the noise of the birds. I walked about 45 minutes into the hills before turning back. 

Eight Bells can be contacted through Found Travel and don't forget to include them in your next adventure itinerary. 

Gondwana Private Game Reserve - Found-Travel, Mossel-Bay, Garden-Route

Gondwana Private Game Reserve - Found-Travel, Mossel-Bay, Garden-Route

Gondwana Game Reserve provides the perfect safari break for Cape Town visitors. Less than a four-hour drive away along South Africa’s popular Garden Route, the 11,000-hectare (26,000 acre) private game reserve offers a distinctive and luxurious malaria-free safari experience.  

Indigenous Fynbos vegetation cloaks the undulating valleys, adding vivid colour and interest to a Big Five wilderness experience with awe inspiring views of the Langeberg Mountains wherever you look. This exclusive reserve offers guests attentive service, superb cuisine, inspiring interiors, expert game rangers, and an array of activities including horseback safaris.  The reserve is easily accessible through George Domestic Airport, a 45-minute drive from the reserve (transfers provided) with daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town International airports.

Kwena Lodge offers guests 14 stand alone bedrooms designed with a modern and luxurious twist on the traditional Khoi-San “hut”.  The spacious lodge facilities include a large infinity pool, chic open-plan lounge and bar, with food and beverage services offered in an elegant dining room set around 2 open fireplaces or in the outdoor boma.

For Families, the Private Bush Villas, offer total privacy and spaciousness. The deluxe three and four bedroom villas feature an open plan lounge with kitchen and dining room all opening onto a wraparound deck with magnificent valley and mountain views.   The villas can also be utilized on a luxury self-catering basis with a la carte meals and game drives available for those who want a longer stay and the flexibility to enjoy the surrounding Garden Route, its activities and attractions.

The-Point-Hotel-Mossel-Bay

Mossel-Bay-Hotels

If you're looking for a sea front hotel in Mossel Bay look no further, this hotel offers 52 sea facing rooms all en-suite and within a stones throw from the rocks and sea. Rooms are spacious, offer DSTV, tea and coffee making facilities and a balcony with table and chairs.

I was tired after my road trip from Cape Town, so I sat on the balcony of my hotel room, took in the sea air and closed my eyes for 10 minutes to the sound of the waves, beautiful.

The-Point-Hotel is very well located, parking is easy and a selection of restaurants are available within easy walking distance of the hotel. I chose to eat a fillet steak at the hotel restaurant, which was very good. Walking is a pleasure along the sea front and for those who like a good hike, the footpath along the rocks is a must. (Starts at entrance to Khoi-san cave and runs for 15km along cliff tops). 

The Point Hotel’s restaurant will provide you with a sumptuous breakfast firstly with dishes available from the buffet and/or a full English, should you chose a hearty breakfast, served to your table. Try and get a table by the window if you can, to continue soaking up the view. 

Mossel Bay always reminds me of a UK seaside town, you'll find the people extremely friendly and helpful, willing to answer any questions you may have, at any time. Look out for the rock dassies who enjoy sunning themselves on the rocks and which can be seen from your balcony.

For those travelers who plan on swimming or bathing in the sea, the tidal pool in front of the hotel provides a great spot, offering warm water, but be aware of waves crashing over rocks from time to time. 

Take a look at The-Point-Hotel’s page on Found Travel for your perfect sea- side hotel.

By Paul Paley at Found Travel

Buffelsdrift-Game-Lodge-Oudtshoorn

Buffelsdrift-Game-Lodge-Oudtshoorn 

Straight from tar road to game lodge is very rare these days in South Africa. With my car still clean from a wash the previous day, I arrived at Buffelsdrift, simply an oasis set in the middle of the desert and only a short drive from Oudtshoorn. 

25 tented suites offer air con, large beds, a mini bar and a view of a magnificent waterhole. After a long drive you may wish to sit on your viewing deck and watch the bird life and bathing hippo or refresh yourself in the outside shower. The suites also offer a safe, hairdryer, telephone and tea and coffee facilities. 9 of the suites are located by the water hole and the remainder with a horizon view, so you will need to select which best suits you on Buffelsdrift’s website.

Within the lodge you can also experience elephants, rhino, buffalo, giraffe and over 200 bird species. Your bush safari is offered on an open top game vehicle, which is available to both residents and day visitors at various times during each day, so have your camera ready! Your highly trained game ranger/driver will fill you in on details about the reserve and stop at various points along the drive to provide information on what you see as well as answer any questions you may have. 

I was very happy to see the rhino, elephant and an array of birdlife during my 2 hour long drive and the view from high up on the reserve is something not to be missed. 

The restaurant is also located next to the water hole and provides a wide selection of meat and vegetarian dishes and selection of locally produced wines. I recommend the ostrich fillet washed down with a nice glass of red.

Take a look at Buffelsdrift’s page on Found Travel and make a booking now for an unforgettable experience in the Klein Karoo!

By Paul Paley at Found Travel