Swaziland is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere and welcoming people –than again, it pays to have a sense of humor when you are ruled by Africa’s last absolute monarch, King Mswati III, who is infamous for his excessively lavish lifestyle.

Landlocked Swaziland is sandwiched between the mountainous Mozambican border and the mid- and highveld of South Africa. The northwest extremity of the country is largely characterized by rainforest, while the agricultural industry is sustained by the country’s numerous rivers, including the Lusutfu. In terms of conservation, King Mswati III has ushered in a progressive approach to wildlife preservation that has endowed Swaziland with a striking bunch of national parks.

Swaziland is one of the few countries in Africa where it is still possible to spot black rhinoceroses. Despite their formidable appearance, black rhinos are extremely nervous animals. When disturbed, they are quick to flee the scene through they will confront an aggressor head-on, particularly if their young are present. As a result, they are difficult to observe for extended periods of time in the wild. Black rhinos can easily be identified by their triangular lip and their lack of a neck hump.