Places of Interest in Swaziland

The most popular Swaziland attractions revolve mostly around the scenic beauty of the rural countryside and the manufacture of a great variety of arts and crafts.

Handblown glassware, ornate candles and the typical Swazi grass mats and baskets are some of the treasures during your trip to Swaziland.

Malkerns Valley

The fertile, pineapple-growing Malkerns Valley, not far from the Ezulwini Valley, is renowned for its arts and craft centres. The handmade creations are so attractive that it is almost impossible to venture up here without buying something.

The most famous of these is probably Swazi Candles, who have a showroom full of cheerful colours.

In their workshop you can see the wax being sculpted into animal shapes, circles and blocks. These are then veneered with animal print design or a kaleidoscope of colours that become illuminated from within as the candle burns lower.

Ngwenya Glass Village

Close to Swaziland's northwest border with South Africa, there is a mountain that looks like a basking ngwenya (crocodile).

At Ngwenya Mountain's base is a small, bustling glass factory - the Ngwenya Glass Village, where visitors can watch glass blowers create enchanting African animal figurines and tableware. Using only recycled glass, much of which comes from the local community, the showroom is illuminated by light refracted from the wonderful creations.

Ngwenya Glass is set in a garden that's shared with other craft outlets whose prices compare very favourably with other centres and even roadside stalls.

At the summit of Ngwenya is what is said to be the oldest mine in the world, where in ancient times the inhabitants extracted oxides and earth pigments, probably for body painting. Half-way down the mountain is the Endlotane Tapestry Studios, whose unique African mohair wall-hangings adorn embassies, hotels and homes around the world.

Nhlangano

Nhlangano is an agricultural and timber area not much frequented by visitors where the air is clearer and cooler than in other parts of Swaziland.

Nhlangano means 'meeting place' and it was here that King Sobhuza II of Swaziland met King George VI of England in 1947 when Swaziland was still a British protectorate.

The region is also home to the royal burial ground. In order not to disturb the eternal rest of previous monarchs, the grass of the burial mounds is never cut, and therefore the cemeteries stand out as areas of dense vegetation in the surrounding farmlands.

Nhlangano town is a good base from which to explore the region and also a good place to change money.

Request a Quote |  Add to my wishlist