SPORTS AND LEISURE ACTIVITIES

Golf
The Kingdom’s golf courses are of a very high standard and the flagship is the 18-hole Royal Swazi Spa Golf Club, which is of championship class. The Nkonyeni Golf Estate also has an 18-hole course set in typical African bush.

Big Bend Golf Club: Phone363-6288, e-mail waherin@illovo.co.sz
Mananga Golf Club: Phone 323-2404
Manzini Golf Club: Phone 505-2254, e-mail panata@posix.co.sz
Mbabane Golf Club, Phone 404-6531, e-mail mbabneclub@realnet.co.sz
Nkonyeni Golf Estate, Phone 550-3934, e-mail info@nkonyeni.com
Simunye Country Club, Phone 313-4792, e-mail dlitschka@rssc.co.sz
Nhlangano Golf Club, Phone 207-8887, e-mail chungu@realnet.co.sz
Royal Swazi Spa Golf Club, Phone 416-5000, e-mail swazisun@sunint.za
Usutu Forests Golf Club, Phone 467-4021, e-mail ufgc@sappi.com
                               
Tennis
Good tennis facilities are available at the three Sun International Hotels in the Ezulwini Valley, The Orion Pigg’s Peak Hotel and the Forester’s Arms Hotel in Mhlambanyatsi. Many private clubs have tennis courts that non-members may use on payment of the appropriate fee (see contact details under Golf). Also enquire at the Malkerns Country Club on 528-3018. Some towns have municipal courts for use by the general public on payment of a small fee.

Horse Riding
Riding is a wonderful way of exploring Swaziland, especially those areas which are inaccessible by vehicles. Riding facilities include:
Chubeka Trails 528-3943
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary 528-3943
Sun International (Residents) 416-5000
Foresters Arms (Residents) 467-4177
Hawane Stables near Mbabane 442-4109
Nyanza Stables, Malkerns 528-3090

4 x 4 Driving: Several 4x4 routes in Swaziland provide wonderful opportunities to see the less accessible parts of the country, although these have not been officially mapped. All driving in this category must take place with strict adherence to rules pertaining to environmental conservation.

Boating
Both power boats and dinghies may be used on various dams around Swaziland, although some of these, such as Sand River Dam in the north-east, are restricted to members and their guests. At time of writing, the Maguga Dam Boat and Recreational Club was being formed.

For further information contact Henrietta Mdluli at the Tourism Office, Cooper Centre, Mbabane. Phone 404-2531.

Biking
Both racing and mountain biking are popular sports and events are held throughout the year. The annual Imvelo Classic takes during the first weekend of June within Mlilwane Nature Reserve. For further information, contact Zoe Bosman on 611-0681, or Swazi Trails on 416-2180.

Bowls
The Royal Swazi Spa and Orion Pigg’s Peak Hotels have bowling greens and there are also facilities at some of the private clubs.

Squash
The Royal Swazi Spa and Orion Pigg’s Peak Hotels. The Mbabane Club has three courts There are also squash courts at the Malkerns, Manzini, Usutu Forest and Simunye Country Clubs

Rugby
Contact Mike Collinson on 602-1051 for information.

Cricket  Most activity for this sport is at the Malkerns Country Club. Phone 528-3018 or contact Mike Cutting on 608 0244.

Swimming
The majority of the hotels have their own swimming pools for the use of residents and similar facilities are available at private clubs. It is advisable not to swim in the rivers and dams as they may be infested with bilharzia. However, fast flowing streams are usually safe.

Adventure Sports: Caving, Rock-Climbing, White-Water Rafting, Tubing & Abseiling Contact Swazi Trails Central Reservations at Mantenga Craft Centre, Ezulwini on 416-2180 to find out what is available in adrenaline sports.  Swazi Trails runs Swazi Extreme each May. This is an event in which participants compete in a number of extreme sports. Also see Swazi Trails Advert outside back cover.

Overnight Trails - Horse Riding, Hiking and Biking. Contact Chubeka Trails, 528-3943; Hawane Resort, 442-4744 (overnight trails to commence 2006); Nyanza, 528-3090 and Swazi Trails 416-2180 (the latter two entail overnight stays back at base).

Hiking Trails
Hiking trails of varying challenges are established throughout the country and are a wonderful way of seeing Swaziland and learning more about its rich natural life and culture.
Fishing
Excellent facilities are available at several dams within the Usutu Forest, which are well stocked with trout. These dams are operated by the Usutu Forest Fly Fishing Club, who also run the annual Kia Motors sponsored competition each May. Fishing also takes place on other dams and rivers within the country, including within Malolotja Nature Reserve and Hawane Dam in the highveld, and at Van Eck Dam near Big Bend in the southern lowveld. Most rivers contain indigenous fish, such as yellow fish, bream and barbel. Tiger fish may be caught in the lower regions during the hot season.
Hotels will also make arrangements for those clients who wish to participate in the world’s fastest-growing sport. It is essential to either obtain a permit before setting off to fish, or pay a rod fee (whichever applies). For further information contact Les Deakin on 404-1876.

Birding
Swaziland offers birding that is second to none and is home to more species than the Kruger National Park - a total of 498 different types. This is due to the wide variety of habitats in the Kingdom - from the grasslands and forests of the Highveld to the bush of the Middlevld and the Savannah areas of the Lowveld. All the nature reserves have a rich variety of birds with Hlane Royal National Park and Mlawula Nature Reserve both internationally recognised as important bird areas. Here martial eagles and many Vulture species, including the white back vulture, may be found. Hlane also has the most southern nesting marabou storks. The Swaziland Tourism Authority has published the comprehensive brochure, "Birding in Swaziland", which is available free at Tourism Offices (see page …..).  Wild Swaziland, is an authoritative comprehensive guide to plants, animals, reptiles and birds in Swaziland. It is available from Websters, a local bookstore chain.