How to Find Hotels in Mbabane, Swaziland

Despite being the capital of Swaziland, Mbabane is a city with a small center and not much to offer visitors in the way of attractions. Yet what it lacks in attractions it makes up for in the friendliness of its residents. Read on to learn how to find accommodations in Mbabane, Swaziland.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Passport
• Visa

Book Accommodations

1. Book lodgings through the Swaziland Tourism Authority Web site. See the Resources section below or call 011 ([phone].
2. Book a room at one of the hotels near the golf course in Mbabane for moderately priced accommodations, which often include a restaurant and bar within the hotel.
3. Try one of the stylish hotels with a casino for more upscale accommodations.
4. Spend your nights at one of the budget hotels specifically designed for backpacking accommodations. For a nominal fee and a 10-minute walk from the city center, this can be a good option for many travelers.

Find Transportation

5. Fly to the Matsapha or Manzini International Airport. South African Airways is the carrier that flies into Mbabane most frequently from South Africa or Mozambique.
6. Travel between Mbabane and other neighboring cities by way of the mini-buses, which will transfer passengers for a small fee.
7. Take the South African Baz Bus, which makes a stop in Mbabane. The bus will bring passengers directly to their places of lodging.

Know Your Destination

8. Use the English language, as it is the official language of Swaziland, along with siSwati.
9. Exchange money for the Lilangani, which is the official currency of Swaziland.

Visit Local Attractions

10. Check out the Swazi Market, an open-air market where you can buy locally made gifts such as paintings, sculpture and glass.
11. Make a visit to the Swazi Cultural Village, where visitors can purchase handmade Swazi candles.
12. Spend some time at one of the game reserves in the country. They are designed to protect endangered animals such as rhinos, antelope, elephants and a variety of breeds of cattle.
13. Make a stop at roadside merchants in order to purchase fresh produce and baked bread from locals.

Tips & Warnings

• When traveling by mini-bus throughout Mbabane, be sure to flag down the correct bus, which can be difficult at times. At the bus terminals take care to watch all personal belongings.
• Book online to learn about the country while selecting accommodations.
• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00."
• All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.

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