Mbabane City Tour

Mbabane, the capital of Eswatini

Mbabane is the capital city of the Kingdom of Eswatini, set in the green Dlangeni hills of the Hhohho region at an altitude of more than a thousand metres, which gives it a fresh, mild climate. The town grew at the start of the twentieth century around a colonial administrative post near the Mbabane River and became the seat of government, while the royal and legislative capital lies at Lobamba in the nearby Ezulwini Valley.

On this Mbabane city tour you walk through the town centre with your guide, who explains how the city was founded, how it has grown and what it means to live in one of Africa's last absolute monarchies, where Swazi traditions remain strong. You see the main streets, public buildings and everyday business of the capital. The walking part takes about an hour, so a moderate level of fitness and comfortable shoes are needed.

Swazi arts and crafts

The tour begins at the municipality of Mbabane with a visit to local arts and crafts, one of the best ways to understand Swazi culture. Eswatini is known across southern Africa for its handicrafts: baskets and bowls woven from colourful lutindzi grass and sisal, soapstone carvings, beadwork with traditional patterns, wooden sculptures, candles and handmade textiles, many of them produced by women's cooperatives in rural communities.

Your guide explains the meaning of the patterns and colours, how the pieces are made and how craft work supports families across the kingdom. You can meet makers and sellers and buy authentic souvenirs directly from them, so bring some cash in emalangeni or South African rand, which is also accepted in Eswatini. Remember to ask permission before taking photos of people at the stalls, as your guide will remind you.

Swazi traditional pharmacy and street food

Traditional medicine is still an important part of life in Eswatini, and many people consult traditional healers alongside modern clinics. On this tour you visit a Swazi traditional pharmacy, where roots, bark, leaves, seeds and powders are sold for remedies passed down through generations. Your guide explains how the plants are gathered and prepared and the role of traditional healers in Swazi society, always with respect for local beliefs.

Food is the other highlight of the walk. You taste local and street food, from simple snacks sold on the pavements to traditional dishes based on maize, beans, vegetables and grilled meat, and learn how Swazi families eat every day and on special occasions. The tastings are part of the tour, but lunch is not included, so you can ask your guide for a good local place to eat afterwards.

City and township drive

After the walking tour, a vehicle takes you on a drive through the wider city, past residential neighbourhoods, schools, markets and viewpoints over the surrounding hills, so you can see how Mbabane spreads across its valleys. Your guide continues the commentary on modern life in the capital, the economy and the relationship between town and countryside in Eswatini.

The tour finishes with a drive through a local township, where many residents of Mbabane live. It is a respectful, eye-opening look at everyday life beyond the city centre: small shops, community spaces, homes and the busy rhythm of the streets. Your guide answers your questions about education, work and family life, and then brings you back to the meeting point at Mbabane City Council, about two and a half hours after the start.