Has anyone here hunted in Swaziland? If yes, how is the govt. situation compared to South Africa? Does Swaziland have good Nyala?

Lots of Nyala in Swaziland lowveld...some local hunters but no much of an industry at all from what I have seen/heard....very good kayaking though!

Swaziland has some environmental issues too, its small and has a large agricultural sector and traditional cattle culture.

There are some wonderful reserves both private and state and its a popular tourist destination with good facilities.

Some here might know of some hunting for visitors but I don't and haven't heard of any for visitors, not to say there isn't. A class mate years back from Manzini was a farmer there and hunted quite a bit.

Government? No worries, stable, friendly, has always been but just foolish! Its a monarchy, one of only 3 on the continent (Morrocco and Lesotho, which is more token) and the 'Great Ngonyama' (lion) King Mswati III intends to keep it that way. He makes the rules but is in no ways a tryrant, although called a dictator by his rivals, he is that by definition, not by popular perception of the term. He just makes some dumb decisions (eg no pants for women etc etc),doesn't like opposition (like another leader we know who hates 'nuklur' weapons in the hands of others except his??) and wastes money on his assests. He is a great proponent of traditional lifestyle and getting Swazi's to follow suit.

All in all, cool country, very pretty, relaxed, easy going people, worht a visit if you are in the region. Cool places to stay, farm and cottage industries and funky rural pubs!

Great roads too if you want to drive through. Not much traffic either - in fact, so little traffic, it's not unknown (obviously excluding the main highways) for light aircraft to land on them and stop for a coke and a bathroom break or a fuel stop and then take off again....... I've done it a time or two myself....

What's the deal in Lesotho? I also wondered if there is any hunting there. Does anyone here know of any?

I do know of one place in Swaziland that caters to visiting hunters. Here is the website: Nisela Safaris . Anyone heard of them?

I recently received an e-mail from a freind of mine (Rory Gurthrie) who has a hunting concession in Swaziland, and he mentioned that there are various antilope and warthog. I can forward his e-mail via PM to anyone who wants to find out more from him.

I haven't hunted in Swaziland, but have spent time there, and found it a very enjoyable country. If you want to track black and white rhino on foot (for photo purposes, not hunting), Sawziland is the country to visit IMO.

I just wanted to give my old thread here a bump because I was curious if anyone had any new info on hunting in Swaziland. Well?

ErikD will you send me all the info you can about hunting Swaziland? I could not get a PM through to you.

Thanks
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Wildlife Artist:
ErikD will you send me all the info you can about hunting Swaziland? I could not get a PM through to you.

Thanks
Steve

Steve

ErikD can't post or receive PMs on AR anymore. You will have to email him.

My granddaughter and I visited Swaziland in 2002 and stayed two nights in one of the two large hotels there. I hired a car and driver to show us the sights and were taken to a small waterfall and several cottage industry places that made curios and tie-dyed pieces. Granted we didn't see much of the country, but my impression was that it was crowded with people, even in the rural areas, and that it couldn't have much wildlife. I'm glad to hear I was wrong. I found it interesting that while we were there the king was searching for another wife.

Bill Quimby

quote:

Originally posted by Eland Slayer:
What's the deal in Lesotho? I also wondered if there is any hunting there. Does anyone here know of any?

I was in Maseru a few months ago, for the first time. Sitting in the car with my driver, we looked out towards South Africa where I could see some animals in the distance, probably cattle. I asked the driver if there was any game in Lesotho. His answer, "My ancestors killed them all."

I do know of one place in Swaziland that caters to visiting hunters. Here is the website: Nisela Safaris . Anyone heard of them?[/QUOTE]
this is the best place in swaziland to hunt and nyala and bushbuck is of good quality here there is also great bream and tiger fishing close by.
i dont know who handles the hunting there now i left swaziland in 2003 but i still have friends there

quote:

(like another leader we know who hates 'nuklur' weapons in the hands of others except his??)

kayaker - If your going to rag on my Pres for his mis-pronunciation of nuclear, get it right! It's "Nukuler".