The capital
Mbabane sits high in the hills of the northwest, a compact, cool administrative capital with a busy market, shopping malls and the granite dome of Sibebe Rock just outside town.
The royal valley
Just below Mbabane, the Ezulwini Valley is the heart of the kingdom: the royal village and parliament at Lobamba, the National Museum, Mantenga Cultural Village and the zebra and antelope of Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.
The craft valley
Next door, the Malkerns Valley is pineapple country and the creative centre of Eswatini, with candle makers, weavers, House on Fire and the MTN Bushfire festival.
The highveld wilderness
In the north, Malolotja Nature Reserve is the best hiking country in the kingdom, with high ridges, waterfalls, a canopy tour and Ngwenya Glass nearby.
The lowveld
In the east, Hlane Royal National Park is the place for white rhino, lion and elephant, with Mkhaya, Mlawula and Mbuluzi reserves close by.
How to combine them
A classic week runs Ezulwini and Malkerns for three nights, Malolotja for one or two, then Hlane for two before crossing to Kruger or Mozambique. With a long weekend, stay in the valleys and add a day trip to a game park. Use the free trip planner to shape a route that fits your dates.