Visitors to Eswatini, the southern African nation formerly known as Swaziland, have endless choices for things to do. One of Africa's most important cultural events happens in late summer every year as the Umhlanga Reed Dance, a multi-day festival, provides a spectacle like no other as thousands of maidens and "warriors," all dressed in traditional clothing, dance and parade before the nation's king and thousands of spectators. Music lovers come for the annual MTN Bushfire Festival to see bands and solo performers from throughout Africa perform, and for those who like a different sort of sound there's the roar of motorcycle engines at the annual Swazi Rally. There's beautiful scenery to view throughout Eswatini, and of course many visitors come just to see the wildlife, including Africa's famed "Big 5." And while seeing elephants and lions and the like in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience, many visitors to Eswatini don't realize that they can take an animal or two home with them! Well, sort of.

A very popular destination for visitors to Eswatini is Swazi Candles, a candle factory and retail outlet where, you guessed it, the best sellers are candles shaped like some of the animals found in the country's numerous game parks and reserves.

So while you could never take home a real elephant no matter how big your suitcase is, you can fit many of the elephant candles from Swazi Candles into your travel bag as they are about the size of a fist. Some are very colorful, psychedelic even, and despite the fact that they are usable candles, they are awesome souvenirs that most folks would not light. There are also rhino, turtle, guinea fowl, hippo, mallard and many others that come in various sizes and with lots of different colors and patterns to choose from.

A craftsman finishes an elephant candle

Beyond the popular animal candles, Swazi Candles also has tea lights, egg-shaped candles, ball-shaped candles, geometric shapes and other varieties that sport designs featuring traditional Swazi symbols or things like cheetah or zebra prints. It is not easy to choose which ones to get so visitors should plan on taking their time at Swazi Candles. Craftsmen are usually at work in the store too and visitors can watch how, for example, an elephant candle is sculpted from a ball of wax. It is also possible for visitors to make their own animal candle under the tutelage of one of the craftsmen.

Swazi Candles is situated in a small complex where there are additional places to shop for handmade crafts like carvings, baskets, masks, textiles and clothing and all sorts of decorative items, all of which are expertly-made by artisans from Eswatini. And because shopping and having fun can work up a powerful appetite and thirst there's a cafe there too where visitors can order up a snack and an ice cold Sibebe beer, Eswatini's favorite.

So go ahead and plan on bringing home an elephant or two from your visit to Eswatini! With their slogan of "Light from Africa," Swazi Candles will be pleased to accommodate you. More information is here.