Looking for the best things to do in Eswatini? This tiny country may not be on every traveler’s radar, but it absolutely should be. Eswatini is packed with nature, culture, and adventure - without the crowds you'll find in some of the more touristy spots of southern Africa.

From spotting wildlife in game reserves to hiking lush mountain trails and diving into rich Swazi traditions, there's a lot more to do here than you might expect. Whether you're chasing waterfalls or attending a vibrant local festival, Eswatini delivers big experiences in a small package.

So if you're ready to get off the beaten path and discover somewhere a little different, this list of Eswatini's top highlights will help you make the most of your trip.

The Best Things to Do in Eswatini

Eswatini may be one of Africa’s smallest countries, but it’s packed with natural beauty, cultural richness, and unforgettable adventures. From wildlife safaris to waterfalls, local markets to vibrant nightlife, there are so many incredible things to do in Eswatini that it deserves a spot on every traveler's bucket list.

Here’s your ultimate guide to the best experiences across the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Have a Unique Safari Experience

One of the top things to do in Eswatini is go on a safari. Despite its compact size, the country offers a variety of game reserves where you can spot everything from rhinos and hippos to giraffes and rare birds.

Our absolute best safari experiences were in Eswatini, including a rhino walking safari, and a giraffe walking safari! Here are some of the top spots for safaris in Eswatini:

• Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary: This is Eswatini’s pioneer conservation area, offering a relaxed safari experience. Explore by mountain bike, on foot, or even on horseback for a more immersive feel.
• Mkhaya Game Reserve: Known for its conservation efforts, Mkhaya is the best place to see black and white rhinos in their natural habitat. It’s a great spot for a more intimate, guided safari.
• KaMsholo Bushveld Safaris: A lesser-known gem, this reserve offers close-up encounters with wildlife in a scenic bushveld setting.
• Hlane Royal National Park: As Eswatini’s largest protected area, Hlane offers the classic Big Game experience - with lions, elephants, and rhinos roaming freely. The sunsets here are just magical.

 Suggested Reads:

• Eswatini Rhino Walking Safari: A One-of-a-Kind Wildlife Experience
• The Best Safari Experiences in Eswatini: Get up Close on a Giraffe Walking Safari

Check Out Maguga Dam

Maguga Dam is one of those spots you don’t expect to wow you—and then it totally does. Set in the northern part of the country near Piggs Peak, it’s surrounded by lush hills and makes for a super scenic stop.

Whether you want to chill with a view, snap some epic photos, or even go boating or fishing, it’s a peaceful place to take a break and soak in the scenery. They even have a restaurant sitting at the top so you can have lunch with a view!

 Explore Malolotja Nature Reserve

If you're into raw, untouched nature, then Malolotja Nature Reserve is an absolute must. It's one of the most beautiful and wild places in Eswatini, with rolling hills, deep valleys, and endless hiking trails. 

You can spot wildlife like antelope and even the rare black wildebeest, but the real highlight is the landscape itself—especially if you make it to Malolotja Falls, the highest waterfall in the country.

Whether you’re up for a long hike or just want to drive through and take in the views, this place is pure magic, and visiting here is definitely one of the best things to do in Eswatini.

Stay in a Traditional Beehive Hut

For a truly authentic experience, spend a night in a traditional Swazi beehive hut, which you can find in a few cultural villages or eco-lodges. It’s a unique way to connect with local customs and experience Swazi hospitality at its finest.

Here are a few beehive huts you can book in Eswatini:

• Hawane Resort: This one is located just outside of Mbane, and has a great restaurant.
• Miliwane Game Sanctuary: This game sanctuary is perfectly located between Manzini and Mbane
• Buckswood Hilltops: It also has a cute restaurant with cats!
• KaMsholo Bushveld Safaris: You can also do a walking safari here!

Browse the Craft Markets

We were simply blown away by the incredible crafts in Eswatini! All made by locals, you can find some of the most unique crafts to take home with you- we almost needed another suitcase for everything we bought! 

Shopping the craft markets is hands-down one of the best things to do in Eswatini. The products are not only locally made, but most of them are made from recycled goods, making it a great opportunity to support local businesses while being an eco-friendly traveler.

 Learn How to Make Swazi Candles

Swazi candles are unique to Eswatini, and truly are the best souvenir you can get while in the country. The Swazi Candle factory has hundreds of different types of candles that are made by hand from the locals, and being able to watch them make them is a mind-blowing experience that you can see for free!

Explore the Ngwenya Glass Factory

This eco-conscious factory is famous for its beautiful glassware made from 100% recycled glass. You can watch skilled glassblowers at work and also visit the various shops. Not only are there incredible glass products you can take home, but we also loved the jewelry shop there that has everything made from recycled magazines!

Discover the Ngwenya Iron Mine

One of the oldest known mines in the world, Ngwenya Iron Mine is both a historical and geological treasure to check out while in Eswatini. It's best to go with a guide, but you can also simply park in the lot and walk up to the top on your own for some really incredible views.

Experience Mantenga Nature Reserve & Cultural Village

Learn about traditional Swazi life, music, dance, and rituals at the Mantenga Cultural Village. There are tours of the traditional villages with beehive huts, performances, and crafts made from the locals, making this one of the most immersive and educational spots in Eswatini.

Pair this with a walk through the adjacent nature reserve that has a beautiful waterfall for the perfect combo, and grab a bite at the restaurant on site for the full experience.

Chase Waterfalls

If you know us, you know we love chasing waterfalls! While Eswatini doesn't have places like Tugela Falls or Victoria Falls, they do have a few small falls worth checking out:

• Phophonyane Falls Nature Reserve: A lush, tropical paradise with easy hiking trails and views of cascading falls in under a half hour.
•  Mvubu Falls Lodge: Hidden in the Ezulwini Valley, Mvubu offers stunning views and is perfect for a quiet escape in nature.
• Mantenga Nature Reserve: This reserve is right next to the cultural village, and after just a few minutes walking you can find a beautiful waterfall and picnic spot.

Visit House on Fire

This eclectic venue in Malkerns is part sculpture garden, part performance space, and is 100% unique. It’s the heart of Eswatini's art scene and is also the venue for the annual Bushfire Festival. It's also full of trendy shops, cafes, and activities- we visited on a Sunday and there was even a DJ and bartender set up.

We absolutely loved the chocolate shop, the hot sauces, and the beauty products- visiting here was definitely one of our favorite things to do in Eswatini!

Try a Paint & Sip

Right next to House on Fire we saw a group of girls doing a paint and sip! With wine in one hand and a paint brush in the other, this is a fun activity to add to your list of things to do in Eswatini!

Attend a Baobab Batik Workshop

At Baobab Batik, you can see how traditional batik fabrics are made—and even get to learn how to make your own! Joining this women-run social enterprise for a unique activity is definitely one of the most different and fun things to do in Eswatini.

 Go on an Incredible Hike

Eswatini has some gorgeous landscapes, and one of the best ways at seeing them is from some of the peaks you can hike to!

Here are a few great hikes you can do in Eswatini:

• Sibebe Rock: This massive granite dome is the world’s second-largest monolith. Hiking up Sibebe is one of the most challenging and rewarding things to do in Eswatini—especially if you’re chasing epic views.
• Execution Rock: Located next to Mantenga Nature Reserve, this iconic peak was known for sentencing criminals to their death.
• Sheba's Breasts: Find the trail behind Velvet Monkey Restaurant to hike up for some stunning views of Ezulwini.

Experience the Nightlife

If there's one thing we learned in Eswatini, it's that people are a GOOD time.

If you plan on visiting Mbane or Manzini, then definitely don't miss out on the nightlife! We went to a few different bars, and the locals were so friendly and fun at each and every one of them.

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Go to a Festival

It's a shame we didn't look up the festivals beforehand, because it just so happened we missed a massive festival that had been going on all day when we were there! The end of July is the "biggest braai" festival, the end of May is the Bushfire Festival, and the beginning of August was Eat Sway Love". 

While many countries around the world have their festivals in the summertime, Eswatini has the majority of theirs in the winter, so don't miss out!

📆 Eswatini Festival Dates 2025:

• April 26th - Makoti Festival
• May 30th- June 1st - MTN Bushfire Festival
• July 19th - Eswatini's Biggest Braai
• July 27th - Sibebe Survivor Challenge
• August (TBA) - Luju Food & Lifestyle Festival
• August/September (TBA) - Umhlanga Reed Dance
• October (TBA) - Mlawula Campfire Festival
• December/January (TBA) Incwala Festival

 Sleep in Botanical Gardens 

We had Summerfield Botanical Gardens on our list of places to visit, but little did we know that you could actually stay there!

The 100 hectare gardens feature a lake, waterfalls, and a variety of plants to enjoy. But the gardens are not your average botanical gardens- they are actually part of a luxurious resort! Don't worry - when we say luxury, we mean on a budget.

For under $100/night you can enjoy this gorgeous 5-star stay with a variety of restaurants, pools, and (of course) gardens. It truly is a bucket-list stay, and was one of our favorite things to do in Eswatini.

Bonus: If you're visiting at the end of the month, there is a special Sunday lunch from 1-4 the last Sunday of each month!

Spend a Night on a Farm

Want another unique stay while in Eswatini? Head over to Nyanza Guest Cottages Riding School and Farmyard. This local family own a farm with dozens of adopted animals that they saved from being abandoned or severely hurt.

You can stay on the farm and help feed and play with a variety of animals from cats and dogs to cows and deer. We weren't able to stay a night, but we did visit and absolutely fell in love with this family's mission, and all the furry friends they've acquired along the way.

So are you ready to check out all of the amazing things to do in Eswatini? We're sure you are going to fall in love with this incredible country just like we did!

Looking to experience other fun things to do around Southern Africa? We have a lot of Africa travel guides coming up, so make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of the latest updates!

Ready to book your trip to the Kingdom of Eswatini? We're here to help! Now Scratch Your Mapa offers travel planning services to help you find the most affordable flights and some of the most unique accommodations! Not only that, but we're creating really awesome group trips to South Africa and Eswatini soon!

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