Volunteer and Travel in Swaziland
Volunteer in Swaziland and spend time in not only the smallest country in the entire southern hemisphere, but also one of the most interesting where you can be guaranteed some fun and adventure. Swaziland is a microcosm of Africa with strong traditions, vibrant cultural festivals and friendly laidback people. Despite its stable history and peaceful reputation, Swaziland has one of the world’s highest HIV infection rates and an unemployment rate of about 50% so here is your chance to volunteer and give something back to Swaziland’s small but loving community. By volunteering in Swaziland you can work in an HIV AIDS Orphanage caring for children or you can work with an older community by helping to Teach Underprivileged Children in the local area.
Swaziland is a country of scenic beauty and huge possibility being strategically located between South Africa and Mozambique and having relatively well developed infrastructure. Swaziland has an expansive system of reserves and national parks for a country so small, and you can be treated to excellent close encounters with black and white rhino and elephant in some of these areas. Aside from the wildlife, as a volunteer in Swaziland you can go horse riding, trekking, mountain biking and whitewater rafting amongst magnificent mountain scenery. If you are keen to keep active while you volunteer, then why not spend time getting hands on with our Family Home Building Project or take it up a notch or two by volunteering on our Sports Development Project. Get up, get active and get involved.
For other volunteer opportunities in Africa please take a look at Ghana, Bostwana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
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Hlane Royal National Park
In the vast bushveld expanse of eastern Swaziland where the hot, still sun of Africa beats on the dry but life-giving soils as it has for thousands of years, and the rumbling roars of the lions are heard in the cool dusky evenings, lies Swaziland’s largest protected area, Hlane Royal National Park, home to the largest herds of game in the Kingdom.
Hlane, named by King Sobhuza II, with its adjacent dispersal areas covers 30 000 hectares of Swazi bushveld, dominated by ancient hardwood vegetation. Hlane is home to lion, elephant and white rhino, with an abundant and diverse bird life, including the highest density of nesting white backed vultures in Africa.
White Water Rafting on the Great Usutu River
The Great Usutu is Swaziland's largest river. It flows from the South African highveld through central Swaziland and exits the Kingdom near Big Bend. Thereafter it winds past Nduma in KwaZulu-Natal and up to the Bay of Maputo in Mozambique. The Swazi Trails rafting stretch runs from a location between the villages of Sidvokodvo and Siphofaneni, which is known as the Bulungapoort. Although the river changes dramatically from full to low water levels, there is always a selection of Grade 2 to 4 rapids to be attempted. At certain medium and high water levels some stretches become Grade 5 in difficulty, with optional or compulsory portages at the river guide's discretion.
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
This place is a true outdoor lover's paradise. It is located in the aptly named Ezulwini ‘Valley of Heaven', one of the many great nature spots in Swaziland. The gate is open day and night, and can be visited at any time by travelers. Activities include horse-riding, mountain-biking, walking trails, landrover gamedrives, a swimming pool and restaurant.
The sanctuary has been a leader in Swazi nature conservation and is home to the head quarters of the Big Game Parks organisation. It is located roughly between Manzini and the capital, Mbabane, so is a popular day visit for guests at most surrounding accommodation venues.
Walking trails include the Macobane Trail, the Nyonyane Mountain Trail and the Hippo Trail. The latter is ideal for family walks, as it is circular (6.3km), relatively flat and very diverse in its scenery. Read more about The Hippo Trail here.
