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General
Leisure
At Ndlovu Camp, there is an open-air restaurant and
a game-viewing deck where one can sit back and
enjoy the view of the waterhole – a
perfect place for sundowners, tasty meals and relaxation.
One of the attractive features of the Rest Camp is the
Hippo Haunt Restaurant that overlooks the Hippo Pool
providing good, wholesome meals including venison.
The restaurant consists of a cozy inside area with a
fireplace and comfortable couches as well as two outside
wooden deck areas where one can enjoy meals and drinks
from the bar. Please note that Mlilwane is fully licensed
and request that all alcohol be purchased at Mlilwane.
General public picnic areas are situated around the Rest
Camp with communal braai areas prepared daily, a small
summerhouse and an outdoor Hippo Pool viewing area for
close but safe viewing of the infamous hippo feeding,
if the hippos are about.
Just outside of the main rest
camp is the Interpretation centre where one can view
sculls and other interesting
pieces and read about rhino salvage operations, Swaziland’s
heritage, poaching and anti-poaching efforts and so on.
A guide can be arranged to talk you through the centre.
There is also a very interesting Interpretation centre
in the reception building at the main gate and well worth
looking at on your way in or out of the reserve.
Sibhaca Dancing is the traditional Swazi dance performed
by teams of men (and sometimes even women) at a vigorous
pace. The ‘headman’ of the Sibhaca dance will
personally invite you to an evening of Sibhaca entertainment
so be sure to take along your drinks and gather around
the main campfire for an hour or so of good traditional
Swazi entertainment. Available at all 3 Parks.
Umphakatsi Chief’s Homestead visit is a hands-on
experience of our neighbouring local lady chief, Inkhosikati,
in her homestead – a very real glimpse of Swaziland’s
culture that will leave you with a newfound respect and
basic understanding of the Swazi way of life. Your guide,
who will hand the ladies in your party traditional Swazi
cloths (Emahiya) to wrap around their waists, greets you
at Mlilwane’s main gate. The homestead is a short
drive from the main gate and a short walk from Mlilwane’s
boundary fence.
Before entering the Inkhosikati’s
homestead (Liguma), you are requested to remove your shoes.
On entry, the Inkhosikati and the village children, often
wearing traditional clothing, will warmly welcome you.
The standard Swazi greeting to the Inkhosikati is “Yebo
Nkosi”.
The Inkhosikati has a vibrant, energetic and infectious
mannerism and not only talks you through how the huts and
traditional items are made but also teaches you the Siswati
words for them. The Inkhosikati encourages interaction;
so ladies try your hand at grinding maize and plaiting
mountain grass or gents, join the children in Swazi song
and dance. An offering of a taste of local food and sometimes
brew is made but forget about your cutlery and try it the
Swazi way… with your hands! This experience is both
informative and memorable – a taste of true Swazi
hospitality – and should not be missed!
Hlane is nearby a local traditional Swazi village, about 20km from the main gate
at Ndlovu Camp , which you can visit having pre-booked at the gate. You will
be accompanied by a Hlane field guide, but will use your own transport to make
your way to the village. On arrival the field guide will give the women in the
group traditional Swazi attire, (a wrap known as Emahiya), which, in respect
of the Swazi culture, the women will wrap around them as a skirt - it is not
correct to show your legs. This Umphakatsi Chief Village is a real living homestead – a
real hands on experience - and so worth a visit! You will be invited into their
homestead where you will learn about the Swazi life style. The iNkhosikati ,
(the mother of the Chief) , of the village will welcome you. You will be shown
a kraal where meetings are held, (often with libutfo (Regiments)). And taken
to a hut where you must take of your shoes and if you happen to be carrying a
stick, you have to leave it outside. When you entering the hut, women enter to
the left and the men to the right. You'll find mats on the ground for you to
sit on and there you can try your hand at grinding maize, perhaps carrying a
calabash on your head and plating grass (making ropes which they use for thatching
their homes) while singing some traditional songs. You may also sample some traditional
brew whilst watching the entertainment put on by the local boys and some of the
women, the Sibhaca dance. This is a fantastic experience and you will gain knowledge
of some traditional Swazi cultural events like the Umhlanga Dance (reed dance)
and lusekwane (cutting of sickle bush for the King to make the Royal Kraal).
A trip not to be missed where you will be enlightened to the Swazi way of life!
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