Our journey brings us to Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), a small, landlocked kingdom nestled between South Africa and Mozambique. There are around 1.2 million people living here, and the country has two capitals: Mbabane, the administrative capital in the cool hills, and Lobamba, the royal and legislative capital. The official languages are siSwati and English.

Eswatini covers about 17,364 square kilometers (6,704 square miles). That’s roughly the same size as the state of New Jersey in the U.S., or about the same size as Slovenia. Despite being one of the smallest countries in Africa, its landscape ranges from high mountains to tropical lowlands.

The most popular sport is Football, but the nation is also famous for its traditional dance and ceremonies. Their national animal is the Thompson’s Gazelle, though the country is most famous for its “Big Five” wildlife—especially the rhinos that are heavily protected in its parks.

The flag features a large central yellow-edged red stripe with smaller blue stripes at the top and bottom, centered with a traditional Emasotsha shield and spears, where the red symbolizes past battles, the yellow represents mineral wealth, and the blue stands for peace and stability.

The food is traditional and based on local agriculture. You must try Sishwala, a thick porridge made from maize and beans, often served with meat or vegetable stews. Another favorite is Umncweba, which is dried, cured meat similar to biltong, seasoned with local spices.

Eswatini is home to the Umhlanga (Reed Dance), a massive annual festival where tens of thousands of Swazi maidens gather to dance and celebrate their culture in front of the King. The country is also home to the Ngwenya Mine, which is considered the oldest mine in the world, with evidence of iron ore mining dating back over 40,000 years! If you love adventure, you can visit the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can go on a “silent safari” by mountain bike or horseback right next to zebras and antelopes. The country is also famous for its handicrafts, particularly the intricate “Swazi Candles” that are hand-molded into the shapes of animals and exported all over the world.

From the rugged peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains to the colorful craft markets, Eswatini is a land of ancient traditions and warm hospitality. Siyabonga! That means “Thank you!”