9 Days Highlights of Eswatini

About the destination: Mbabane is the capital and largest city in Swaziland. It is located on the Mbabane River and its tributary the Polinjane River in the Mdzimba Mountains. It is located in the district of Hhohho, of which it is also the capital. The city centre consist of two small malls, a taxi and bus range, a hotel and at some open markets. The surrounding area is picturesque with small mountains all around. An evening drive out of town on Pine Valley Road provides gorgeous green pastoral views.

About the destination: Ezulwini Valley is a valley of northwest Eswatini. Also known as "The Valley of Heaven", the valley lasts for about 30 kilometres, and is bounded to the east by the Mdzimba hills. The historical capital of Swaziland Lobamba is located in the valley, also known as the Royal Valley, a place of many legends of Swazi history. The main highway is the MR3 road; some parts have four lanes. The valley extends as far down as Kwaluseni. The valley contains a number of notable wildlife sanctuaries and features including the 4,500 hectare Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary (established in 1964) and the Royal Swazi Sun Hotel. The valley is undergoing significant development with the growth of Tourism in Swaziland, with the building of casinos, bars, hotels, shops such as the Gables Shopping Centre and urbanization. Also of note is the Ezulwini Handicrafts Centre and Swazi National Museum in Lobamba. Despite the urban developments in the valley the landscape still has some "soft green hills and plains-game grazing in the lush lands below.

About the destination: Lobamba is the legislative capital of Swaziland, seat of the Parliament and residence of the Indovuzaki. It is located 16 km from Mbabane, in the Ezulwini Valley. It is also a umphakatsi of the homonymous tinkhundla belonging to the district of Hhohho. It is on the edge of the Keep Nature Reserve.