Mbabane

Mbabane is one of the two capitals (along with Lobamba), serving as the executive capital.

siSwati is the primary language, English is widespread.

Due to its altitude, Mbabane has a mild climate. The average temperature is 11°C (52°F) in July and 22°C (72°F) in January. The winter night is cold for a subtropical climate in general. Most of the precipitation is concentrated in the summer. The driest month is June, and the wettest is January.

• 1 King Mswati III International Airport (SHO  ^IATA). The only commercial and international airport. Eswatini Air flies to Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and Harare. Airlink also flies to Johannesburg.  (updated Jul 2023)

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.

The city centre is walkable, with shopping malls and other administrative buildings.

The city doesn't offer 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.

• 1 Sibebe Rock, P5QF+G24, Mbabane, Eswatini (8 km northeast of Mbabane.), ☏ . Swazi trails E30. (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Tourist information, Sozisa Road at Umlilo St (Cooper Centre), ☏ . 08:00-16:45. Free maps of Mbabane and Eswatini and info on places to stay all over Eswatini. (updated Jan 2023)
• 3 Hawane Nature Reserve. Nice grassy area of rolling hills and aviary activity. Walking trail. A Ramsar area.  (updated Aug 2020)

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.

Traditional Swazi foods such as bhatata sweet potatoes, and traditional emasi (sour milk) are enjoyable.

Would be best to visit during the traditional ceremony when the traditional brew emaganu is being celebrated. At this time, emaganu (marula) brew is drunk across the country.

• 1 SuperSpar.  (updated Aug 2016)
• Shoprite supermarket.  (updated Apr 2015)
• Pick N Pay supermarket.  (updated Apr 2015)
• First National bank. It has an ATM. (updated Apr 2015)
• 2 Nedbank. It has an ATM. (updated Aug 2016)
• Standard bank, Swazi Plaza. It has an ATM. (updated Apr 2015)

• 1 Mantenga Lodge, Mantenga Rd, Ezulwini Valley (15 km from Mbabane), ☏ . 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), ☏ . Camping/dorm beds. E80/145. (updated Apr 2015)
• 2 Mountain Inn (on the way to Ezulwini Valley), ☏ . Restaurant, bar, the pool has an expansive view over the valley. E748. (updated Aug 2020)
• 3 Hilton Garden Inn Mbabane, Mhlambanyatsi Rd (close to Swazi Plaza and downtown), ☏ . This Hilton deserves mentioning for its outside appearance. Supposed to be a rendition of Simba Rock maybe? Pool, fitness centre, restaurant. E1,113. (updated Aug 2020)