What to see in Eswatini: 7 must-sees

Drive the dirt tracks of Hlane National Park in the Lubombo region, where 3,340 km² of savanna and woodland are home to elephants, rhinos, and a wide variety of birds. Explore its trails on foot or by vehicle, watch condors and marabou storks by the waterholes, and learn about the local conservation programs that keep one of Eswatini's most accessible reserves thriving.

Climb the slopes of northwestern Eswatini and explore Malolotja, the country's largest mountain reserve, where the quartzite peaks of Hhohho reach 1,829 meters. Walk the marked trails through high-altitude grasslands, follow the sound of waterfalls plunging toward the Malolotja River, and look out for birds of prey and antelopes such as the oribi. Camp among the mountains if you want to wake up above the valley.

Enter Mbabane, the capital of Eswatini, surrounded by the Mdimba mountains. Browse the Swazi Plaza market, where baskets, fabrics, and wood carvings are sold, and walk along Allister Miller Street past offices and small shops. Take in the blend of Swazi tradition and modern urban layout that defines the city, try boiled corn from the street stalls, and head up to the nearby viewpoint to see the rooftops spread across the Mbabane River valley.

Walk at dawn along the dirt tracks of Hlane, Eswatini's largest royal reserve, as white rhinos graze among the marula trees and lions cross the low savanna of Lubombo. Stay in camps without electric fences, listen for hyenas at night by the campfire, and take a 4x4 to the waterholes where elephants and giraffes gather. A conservation stronghold since the days of Sobhuza II, the park keeps the memory of the lion king alive on its own national coat of arms.

Stop by Lobamba's parliament, the legislative seat of Eswatini and considered the smallest in Africa. Walk around its buildings and note the architectural details that blend Swazi tradition with institutional design. The country's two chambers meet here, near the Queen Mother's royal residence. Round off your visit in Manzini, where the local monument traces centuries of history and culture of this monarchical nation. Keep your camera ready: the mountainous setting of the Ezulwini Valley frames the building and its surroundings.