Mbabane is the capital city of Eswatini (Swaziland). It houses Sibebe Rock, one of the biggest mountains in Africa.
Get in
- 1 King Mswati III International Airport (SHO IATA). The only commercial and international airport. Eswatini Airlink connects King Mswati III International Airport (and essentially the rest of the country) to Johannesburg.
You can easily travel to Mbabane from South Africa and Mozambique. Several minibuses travel between Maputo and Manzini/Mbabane. Regular bus service is provided between Johannesburg and Durban.
If you drive your own car, you will find good tarred roads and several petrol stations/shops on the main roads.
Minibus taxis to South Africa leave from the taxi stop near Swazi Plaza. There are minibus taxis from Mbabane to Mbombela in South Africa.
Get around
The city center is walkable, with shopping malls and other administrative buildings.
See
The town itself offers not that much. There are no big attractions. The city centre consist of two small malls, a taxi and bus stop, a hotel and at some days open markets.
- Sibebe Rock (8 km northeast of Mbabane.), ☏ +268 2416-2180. Swazi trails E30.
- Tourist information, Sozisa Road (Cooper Centre), ☏ +268 2404-2531. 8am-4.45pm. Free maps of Mbabane and Eswatini and info on places to stay all over Eswatini. It does not seem to be there anymore.
Do
There is a Swazi cultural village close by and a game reserve. There are several factories around Mbabane which sell traditional hand-made Swazi candles.
Buy
The town is modern
Rocka swazi clothes at E300.00 each which ranges from traditional to urban wear with contacs and shops around the city +26878181996//+26876984937
Eat
Traditional Swazi foods such as bhatata sweet potatoes, and traditional emasi (sour milk) are some nice food to enjoy.
Drink
Would be best to visit during the traditional ceremony when the traditional brew emaganu is being celebrated. At this time, emaganu (marula) brew is drank across the country.
Sleep
- 1 Mantenga Lodge, Mantenga Road , Ezulwini Valley (15km from Mbabane), ☏ +268-4161049. Has 38 rooms, each with its own en-suite bathroom. The rooms are tastefully furnished and are equipped with air conditioning and television, including satellite channels.
- Bombasos Backpackers N Lodge, 404 Lukhalo road Mbabane (off pine Valley road), ☏ +268-76819191. Camping/dorm beds. E80/145.
- 2 Crisovik Guesthouse, 521 Mbhilibhi Street, ☏ +26824049883. A well-hidden guesthouse with shared bathrooms off Mbhilibhi Street. A sign dangling on the fence saying "Right of admission reserved" indicates the presence of the guesthouse. E390.
Stay safe
Cope
Embassies
- United States, 7F, Central Bank Bldg, Mahlokohla St, ☏ +268 404-6441, fax: +268 404-5959. M-Th 7:30AM-5PM, F 7:30AM-1:30PM.
- Republic of China (Taiwan), Makhosikhosi Street, ☏ +268 2404 4740, rocszembassy@mofa.gov.tw. 08:30-17:00 M-F. Unusual in that this is an official embassy, as Eswatini is the only one in Africa recognizing Taiwan/the ROC.