Swaziland Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Swaziland, SZ, Southern Africa)



Picture showing the King Sobhuza II Memorial ParkThe tourist attractions in Swaziland tend to be mostly of the cultural or craft-related variety. Day trips to places such as the Ngwenya Glass Village offer a fascinating insight into how local people continue to produce handcrafted items using traditional processes. Tourists will find that other attractions are often centred on Swaziland's famous royal family, and around both the Ezulwini Valley and the Malkerns Valley.

Particularly popular is the Mantenga Swazi Cultural Village, which is located within the Mantenga Nature Reserve and provides a taste of the past, with its authentically recreated huts and folk dancing demonstrations. In Lobamba, the Somhlolo National Stadium plays host to seasonal soccer matches and other noteworthy events.


Image showing the entrance to the Ngwenya Glass Village

Ngwenya Glass Village

Address: Ngwenya, Motshane, Swaziland, SZ, Africa
Tel: +268 2442 4053
The base of Ngwenya Mountain is home to a number of craft activities, including the Glass Village. Here, visitors can watch as decorative items are blown by hand from locally recycled glass that is collected by Swazi school children. Visitors are also able to browse the village's well-stocked showroom of glass items that range from glasses and jugs to vases, ornamental animals and tableware gift sets. The Glass Village was set up in the late 1970s and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Mantenga Swazi Cultural Village (Ligugu Lemaswati)

Address: Mantenga Nature Reserve, Ezulwini Valley, Swaziland, SZ, Africa
Tel: +268 2416 3284
Often considered to be a living museum-type attraction, the Mantenga Cultural Village is a recreation of a typical Swazi village as it would have existed during the middle of the 19th century. Some 16 traditional huts and numerous artefacts vividly depict how life might have been for the Swazi people at that time. The huts are built using nothing more than wooden posts, reeds and leather, with dried cow-dung and soil being mixed together and used as a rustic cement. Folk dance performances are staged here at certain times during the day, and guided tours are also available.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Mantenga Craft Centre photograph

Mantenga Craft Centre

Address: Ezulwini Valley, Swaziland, SZ, Africa
Tel: +268 2416 1136
One of the oldest craft markets in Swaziland, the Mantenga Craft Centre was established in the mid-1970s to promote regional handicrafts. In all, the site features more than a dozen different craft shops, as well as a tea garden and an information centre for visiting tourists. This is a great place to pick up a quality souvenir or two, with choices including jewellery, homewares, glass, pottery and mohair bags, together with fine woven mats, scarves and shawls.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Photo of candles and souvenirs for sale in Mbabane

Swazi Candles

Address: Malkerns Valley, Swaziland, SZ, Africa
Tel: +268 2528 3219
Swazi Candles ranks amongst the top tourist attractions in Swaziland. Visitors to this candle factory can watch the candle-making process and then browse the thousands of candles on display. Candles range from the traditional to the more unusual, including aardvark-shaped examples and those closely resembling desert cacti. Children are also given the opportunity to have a go at making their own candles. As well as candles, you can purchase handmade soaps, soya lights and bees balms, all of which can be packaged and posted to your home if required.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

Somhlolo National Stadium

Address: Lobamba, Swaziland, SZ, Africa
Built in the late sixties, this multi-purpose venue is located within Lobamba, directly across from the Parliament building and close to both the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and the Royal Botanical Gardens. The stadium is named after King Somhlolo, who is widely regarded as being the country's father, and has an overall capacity of around 20,000 spectators. As well as hosting football games, the stadium is also used as a venue for concerts and national events, which in the past have included coronations.
Open hours: hours vary according to event
Admission: charge