Culture & Safari Discovery Tours

 
For more detailed information about Big Game Parks and activity & accommodation options, please visit our website www.biggameparks.org

Don’t miss Umhlanga  August 30th 2010!
Swaziland’s most colourfully dramatic cultural experience!

Every year towards the end of August to early September, the Kingdom of Swaziland hosts the world-renowned Umhlanga or Reed Dance.

This traditional annual event is attended by over 70,000 young maidens from Swaziland and neighbouring chiefdoms in Southern Africa. It is a celebration of song and dance where young girls pay homage to the Queen Mother (Indlovukazi). By gathering reeds from nearby areas, the girls present these reeds to the Queen Mother which are then used to build or strengthen her existing kraal (fence).

The Reed dance takes place over a week where girls from all regions of the country meet at the Queen Mother's homestead and take daily trips to gather the reeds.

The final day of the reed dance is a national holiday that highlights the magic of Swazi culture.

The day begins with bathing and grooming before appearing before the King and the Queen Mother. The maidens dress in their best traditional regalia specifically used during this ceremony, consisting of short beaded skirts decorated with fringes and buttons. The maidens adorn themselves with colorful sashes, beads and jewelry. In a fantastic not-to-be-missed spectacle, the young girls sing and dance as they parade before their majesties.

Each group of young girls (separated by home area) has its own leader (who guides them with a whistle) and their own unique dance steps and songs, which marks their respect for the monarch and his mother.
The Reed Dance is attended by many Swazi's and fosters unity amongst different regions and clans across Southern Africa.

Spectators are most welcome.

Discover Swaziland Package Options

7 Day Swaziland Discovery

4 Day Culture Discovery

Package includes:
5 Nights accommodation at Reilly's Rock Hilltop Lodge
1 Night accommodation at Mkhaya Game Reserve for Endangered Species, including game activities
All meals** (please see below)
Transport for the duration of the tour in luxury, air-conditioned vehicles, with cooled bottled water available daily.
All applicable entry fees to places of interest
Choice of an activity at Hawane Resort

Package excludes:
  Drinks during meals
  **Lunch on arrival and departure days
  Gratuities

ITINERARY - 28 August - 31 August 2010

DAY 1- Afternoon arrival to Restcamp Huts in the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Tour National Museum & King Sobhuza Memorial Park
Visit Mantenga Cultural Village
DAY 2
Craft and Shopping Tour
Sundowner drive to the Rock of Execution
DAY 3
Attend Umhlanga (the Reed Dance)!
Afternoon departure to Hlane Royal National Park
DAY 4
Early morning drive in open game  viewing vehicles followed by departure

Package includes:
2 Nights accommodation at Mlilwane Main Restcamp Huts
1 Night accommodation at Hlane Royal National Park
All meals** (please see below)
Sunrise Game Drive at Hlane Royal National Park
Transport for the duration of the tour in luxury, air-conditioned vehicles, with cooled bottled water available daily.
All applicable entry fees to places of interest

Package excludes:
  Drinks during meals
  **Lunch on arrival and departure days
  Gratuities

   
Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge

Mlilwane Restcamp Beehives

Mkhaya Cottage

Hlane Huts

Tours departs for minimum of 4 people
Budget options available upon request
*Price may vary slightly due to currency exchange rate

These Discovery tours feature the highlight of the Swaziland cultural calendar in the beginning of spring with generally warm days, cool evenings and very little rain. Coming out of winter season, the foliage is not yet thick from summer rains making the terrain ideal for excellent game viewing.