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Top Tourist Places to Visit in Simunye, Swaziland, South Africa, Africa

Simunye is a town in the southeastern African country, Swaziland, located near the Lubombo Mountains, around 30 kilometers from the South Africa-Swaziland border. It is situated around 55 km northeast of the district capital, Siteki and around 140 km northeast of Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland. Simunye is home of the renowned soccer club Royal Leopards F.C.

Simunye itself is a nature reserve, bounded to the west by the country’s largest national park, Hlane National Park and to the north by Mlawula Nature Reserve. Due to its lush vegetation and opportunities of different outdoor activities, Simunye has become famous as one of the best holiday destinations in Swaziland.

 

Travelling Simunye:

The Matsapha Airport is the only airport of Swaziland and closest to Simunye, located around 110 km southeast of the heart of Simunye. The airport is served by Swaziland Airlink and Airlink with scheduled flights from Johannesburg in South Africa.

There is a car rental at the airport and also visitors can use minibus service to reach Simunye from the airport that is cost-effective. Minibuses are also the prevalent option to get around Simunye.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Simunye:

Simunye houses one of the prominent football clubs in the country Royal Leopards F.C, which has become champion many times in the different national leagues.

Visitors can be found restaurant and shops at all the major hotels in and around Simunye. There are also many independent options in Simunye.

 

What to do in Simunye?

• Hiking
• Game drives
• Mountain biking
• Quad biking
• Fishing

 

What to see in Simunye?

 

Simunye Nature Reserve:

The Simunye Nature Reserve is contiguous with Mlawula Nature Reserve and Shewula Nature Reserve, the latter is detached from Mlawula by the Mbuluzi River. The park is a heaven for nature enthusiasts, offering different adventurous activities that can be experienced best through a guided tour.

 

Mlawula Nature Reserve:

The Mlawula Nature Reserve is a 16,500 hectares park adjoining Simunye Nature Reserve, home to around 350 bird species. Visitors can also involve themselves in mountain biking, quad biking, fishing, game drives, hiking and many other outdoor activities in the park.

 

Hlane National Park:

Spanning over an area of 30,000 hectares, the Hlane National Park is the Swaziland’s largest national park, housing dozens of animal species, including elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, giraffe, zebras and lions. The park has camping facility and there are also many tour organizers, who lead visitors to enjoy safe and memorable safari.

 

Other interesting places in and around Simunye include:

• Manzimyame Protected Landscape
• Mhlume Sugar Company
• Mantenga Nature Reserve
• University of Swaziland
• Indingilizi Gallery
• National Museum of Swaziland
• Grace Christian Fellowship International Church
• Royal Swazi Sun Hotel
• Hawane Nature Reserve
• Blue Lagoon Leisure Park
• Ezulwini Handicrafts Centre
• Mkhaya Game Reserve
• Somhlolo National Stadium
• King Sobhuza II Memorial Park

 

Best time to visit Simunye:

Simunye is a year round destination, experiencing warm climate year round and the best time to visit Simunye is from June and August.

 

Accommodation options in Simunye:

Simunye offers many nice accommodation centres for those coming to area to explore the real natural beauty of Swaziland. All hotels in the area provide the blend of traditional and modern facilities to spread up local culture among visitors. Apart from amenities, they are also well versed in serving visitors with mouthwatering Swazi and international delicacies. Some recommended hotels in and around Simunye include:

• Simunye Country Club
• Singwe Lodge
• Mphangele Lodge
• Mbuluzi Tented Lodge
• Mbuluzi Campsite
• Tambuti Tented Camp
• Nkhankanka Lodge
• Shewula Mountain Camp
• Mabuda Farm
• Mhlume Country Club and Lodge
• Steenbok Guest House
• Lituba Lodge
• Steenbok Guesthouse
• Asante Animal Farm Getaway
• Gibela Getaway

Best Tourist Places in Piggs Peak, Hhohho, Swaziland, South Africa, Africa

Piggs Peak is a town located in the Hhohho district of north western Swaziland, located between 25°58′ S latitude and 31°15′ E longitude. It is situated around 50 km north of the national capital, Mbabane. Piggs Peak got its name from William Pigg, who was one of the chief early residents of the area. Piggs Peak is one of the noted tourist destinations of Swaziland with Piggs Peak Casino and its nearness with popular Phophonyane Falls and Maguga Dam. Piggs Peak was founded in the year in 1884 during gold prospecting in the area and currently forestry is the backbone of Piggs Peak’s economy.

 

How to reach Piggs Peak?

Like the rest of Swaziland, Piggs Peak is also served by the only commercial airport of the country, Matsapha Airport, with flights from the South Africa’s largest city, Johannesburg. The Johannesburg Airport has a good connectivity to many global cities, including Mumbai, London, Paris and New York. The Matsapha Airport is located around 100 km south of Piggs Peak. There is a road connecting the airport and Piggs Peak, better if one booked a rental car for airport travel than waiting bus.

 

Food and Shopping in Piggs Peak:

Piggs Peak Casino and Hotel is a great option for both shopping and dining, apart from this, there are many other independent stores and food corners in Piggs Peak.

Things to do in Piggs Peak:

• Mountain biking
• Hiking
• Camping

 

What to see in Piggs Peak?

 

Piggs Peak Casino:

The Piggs Peak Casino is a prominent entertainment complex in Piggs Peak, was established in large, verdant and striking Pine Forest area, which have transformed hotel into one of the best places to enjoy holidays in Swazialnd. Hotel and its surroundings are perfect to experience the real significance of Swazi culture and environment with a wide range of indoor and outdoor gaming and dining facilities.

 

Phophonyane Falls Nature Reserve:

Sprawling over an area of 600 hector, the Phophonyane Falls Nature Reserve is an outstanding picturesque spot, dominated by a wonderful natural beauty Phophonyane Falls, which falls from the height of 80 meters. Visitors can also spot some oldest rocks on the earth at the waterfalls that dates back to around 3.55 billion years.

 

Maguga Dam:

Measured a height of 115 meters, the Maguga Dam is constructed over the Komati River in 2001, situated around 11 km away from the town of Piggs Peak. The dam is also a nice sightseeing spot to capture of the beauty of river and surrounding forest.

 

Malolotja National Park:

The Malolotja National Park is located along the MR1 Road, which t leads Piggs Peak to the capital Mbabane. The park is blessed with dense flora, including grasses, orchids, lilies and dozens of animal and bird species. Mountain biking, 4×4 riding and hiking are the activities one can enjoy in the park.

 

Other places of interest in and around Piggs Peak include:

• Makhonjwa Nature Reserve
• Nyonyane Protected Landscape
• Mantenga Nature Reserve
• University of Swaziland
• Indingilizi Gallery
• National Museum of Swaziland
• Malkern Valley
• Hawane Nature Reserve
• Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
• Blue Lagoon Leisure Park
• Somhlolo Stadium
• Grace Christian Fellowship International Church
• Royal Swazi Sun Hotel

 

When to visit Piggs Peak?

The best time of the year to visit Piggs peak would be from June to August as when the weather remains pleasant.

 

Where to stay in Piggs Peak?

Being a renowned tourist destination, Piggs Peak houses many modernized tourist favor accommodation centres like casino, guest houses and lodge, of which most can be booked through online. Advance booking of hotels is recommended to avoid difficulty in finding hotels during high season. List of the prominent hotels in and around Piggs Peak include:

• Piggs Peak Hotel and Casino
• Maguga Lodge
• Sunset View Guest House
• Phophonyane Falls Lodge & Nature Reserve
• Bulembu Country Lodge
• Malolotja National Park Lodge
• Barberton Mountain Lodge Berghuisie
• Mukwana Self-catering Guest Lodge
• Fountain Baths Guest House
• Kloofhuis Guest House
• Cockney Liz Hotel
• The Phoenix Hotel
• The Gold Nugget Guest House
• Chill Inn Barberton

Beautiful Tourist Places in Mhlume, Lubombo, Swaziland, South Africa, Africa

Mhlume is a town situated in the district of Lubombo in northeastern Swaziland, around 120 km northeast of Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland. It is mainly noted for its large sugar cane fields and houses a Mhlume Sugar Company, which is the major employer in the region. Mhlume is geographically positioned between 26°02′ S latitude and 31°51′ E longitude. Siteki is the seat of the Lubombo district, located around 65 km south of Mhlume. The district of Lubombo covers an area of 5,849.11 sq. km, comprising 11 settlements, including Mhlume.

 

How to reach Mhlume?

There is no airport in Mhlume, so international tourists are needed to reach Matsapha International Airport first and afterwards they can take car rental at the airport or wait for bus, of which hiring a car is convenient as buses are not regular between this route. Matsapha International Airport receives flights only from Johannesburg in South Africa. The local transportation of Mhlume is catered by buses, taxis and minibuses.

 

Culture, Food and Shopping in Mhlume:

There are many standard restaurants in Mhlume offering crispy and crunchy Swazi and other African cuisines, serving visitors with a higher degree of love and care. All types of shops can also be found in Mhlume, including handicraft stores.

 

 

Things to do in Mhlume:

• Mountain biking
• Quad biking
• Fishing
• Game drives
• Hiking

 

What to see in Mhlume?

 

Mhlume Sugar Company:

The Mhlume Sugar Company is the major employer, landmark as well as tourist attraction of Mhlume, where visitors can learn the sugar production method used in Swaziland. There are also many typical things to learn.

 

Mlawula Nature Reserve:

Situated around 30 km southeast of Mhlume, the Mlawula Nature Reserve is spread over an area of 16,500 hectares, home to around 350 species of birds. It also offers different enjoyable outdoor activities such as mountain biking, quad biking, fishing, game drives and hiking. The reserve can be explored best through a guided tour.

 

Hlane National Park:

The Hlane National Park is the largest among the national parks in Swaziland, with an area of 30,000 hectares. The park is well known for a large elephants and rhinos’ population and other wildlife include cheetahs, giraffe, zebras, lions and leopards. There are also many camping options within the park.

 

Manzimyame Protected Landscape:

The Manzimyame Protected Landscape is one of important protected areas in Swaziland, located around 70 km south of Mhlume. It is a very dense park with eye-catching landscape, so one can consider guided tour for easy exploration of this nature beauty.

 

Other places of interest in and around Mhlume include:

• Mantenga Nature Reserve
• University of Swaziland
• Indingilizi Gallery
• Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
• Blue Lagoon Leisure Park
• Ezulwini Handicrafts Centre
• Mkhaya Game Reserve
• Somhlolo National Stadium
• King Sobhuza II Memorial Park
• National Museum of Swaziland
• Malkern Valley
• Somhlolo Stadium
• Grace Christian Fellowship International Church
• Royal Swazi Sun Hotel
• Hawane Nature Reserve

 

When to visit Mhlume?

The pleasant and clear climate of Mhlume attracts tourists throughout the year, though one can consider month between June and August to experience the real nature beauty of Mhlume.

 

Where to stay in Mhlume?

Hotels at Mhlume are not only known for offering a wide range of facilities and services, but also well versed in arranging different tours for their guests with lot of care and security. Visitors can also consider hotels in the nearby towns of Mhlume when the town gets crowded and for more upgraded amenities. Here are some modernized hotels in and around Mhlume:

• Mhlume Country Club and Lodge
• Singwe Lodge
• Mbuluzi Tented Lodge
• Mbuluzi Campsite
• Nkhankanka Lodge
• Tambuti Tented Camp
• Simunye Country Club
• Shewula Mountain Camp
• Hlane Royal National Park
• Steenbok Guest House

 

 

Places to Visit in Nhlangano, Shiselweni, Swaziland, South Africa, Africa

Nhlangano is a town and the administrative centre of Shiselweni district, situated in the southern part of Swaziland. Located around 1,050 meters above sea level, Nhlangano is the 4^th largest town in the country, geographically positioned between 27°7′ S latitude and 31°12′ E longitude. Earlier called as Goedgegun, the name of Nhlangano literally means ‘the meeting point’, which may be derived from the meeting of King George VI of England with the King Sobhuza II of Swaziland in the year 1947. Nhlangano houses the facilities of a casino, a prison, a health centre, many restaurants and shops.

 

Connectivity to Nhlangano:

Nhlangano is situated around 130 km south of the national capital Mbabane, 100 km south of the royal city Lobamba and around 90 km south of the commercial centre of Swaziland, Manzini.

Like the rest of Swaziland, Nhlangano is also served by Matsapha Airport. This airport is catered by Airlink and Swaziland Airlink with scheduled flights from Johannesburg in South Africa.

There are buses generally plying between Nhlangano and other major Swazi cities. Though the availability of buses, if visitors booked private transfer that would be convenient for intercity travel and sightseeing purposes.

 

Food and Shopping in Nhlangano:

Nhlangano Hotel and Casino houses Makhosini View Restaurant and Two Kings Bar Lounge and there is also a shopping option.

 

What to do in Nhlangano?

• Golfing
• Fishing
• Playing tennis
• Hiking
• Visiting casino

 

What to see in Nhlangano?

 

Nhlangano Casino Royale Hotel:

The Nhlangano Casino Royale Hotel is the first preference of tourists visiting the town Nhlangano. It is a perfect place for those seeking a high class accommodation with all amazing amenities, where tourists can involve themselves in casino plays, golfing, playing tennis and shopping in an uninterrupted way.

 

Mahamba Protected Landscape:

Mahamba Protected Landscape is a hidden gem in the southern part of Swaziland, through which the Makondo River flows, where visitors can experience enjoyable fishing and swimming. There is an accommodation in the heart of Mahamba, Mahamba Gorge Lodge, offering all basic facilities and services.

 

Ngwempisi Wilderness Area:

Situated around 80 km north of Nhlangano, the Ngwempisi Wilderness Area is one of the dense forest areas in Swaziland, offering opportunities of different outdoor activities, inclduing hiking and camping.

 

Lobamba:

Royal capital of the country, site of two grand national events, Lobamba is the focal point of Swaziland’s tourism, bounded by scenic reserves and wildlife sanctuaries. Apart from these, the city also houses the National Museum of Swaziland, the King Sobhuza II Memorial Park, the Somhlolo Stadium and many other natural and manmade tourist attractions.

 

Other interesting places near Manzini include:

• Mkhaya Game Reserve
• Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
• Matsapha International Airport
• King Sobhuza II Memorial Park
• National Museum of Swaziland
• Malkern Valley
• Mbuluzi Game Reserve
• Ezulwini Handicrafts Centre
• Yebo Art Gallery
• Somhlolo National Stadium
• Hlane Royal National Park
• Swazi Candle
• Grace Christian Fellowship International Church
• Royal Swazi Sun Hotel
• Hawane Nature Reserve
• Blue Lagoon Leisure Park

 

 

Best time to visit Nhlangano:

Generally from June to August is the best time to visit Nhlangano in Swaziland.

 

Accommodation options in Nhlangano:

Among five standard accommodation options in Nhlangano, the Nhlangano Casino Royale Hotel is the recognized one, with world class facilities and services like casino, tennis courts, swimming pool, bar-lounge, nice restaurant and children playground. Here is the list of some modernized hotels in and around Nhlangano:

• Nhlangano Casino Royale Hotel
• Blue Lagoon Leisure Park
• Phumula Farm Guesthouse
• Mahamba Gorge Lodge
• Butterfly Cottage
• Dusk to Dawn B & B
• Moolman Hotel
• The Country Charm Guest House
• Emahlathini Farm Lodge
• Wild Catz Cottage Piet Retief
• Vredenhoff Bed & Breakfast
• Waterside Lodge
• LA Guest House