Crossing into Eswatini via Mahamba
After leaving the Waterside Lodge, I headed into town for breakfast — sausage rolls, or saucijzenbroodjes as the Dutch call them. My first destination was Mahamba, the border crossing where I entered Eswatini from South Africa. The process was simple: just passport stamps for leaving South Africa and entering Eswatini.
Currency Tips for Eswatini
Eswatini has its own currency, but they accept the South African Rand at equal value, so there’s no need for exchanging. However, it’s important to know that South Africa does not accept Eswatini money in return. As long as you’re aware of that, it all works out.
Beautiful Countryside and the House on Fire
The countryside in Eswatini is beautiful. The north features sugarcane fields, while the south has a lot of cattle. Near Manzini, I came across a sign for a place called House on Fire — and what an amazing venue it turned out to be. It hosts the Mountain Bushfire festival, one of Africa’s seven big music festivals. The site includes several restaurants, gift shops, stunning mountain views, and a huge lawn that can accommodate massive outdoor concerts. They were preparing for an upcoming event, though no festival was happening at the time. I really enjoyed spending time there.
Staying at Montenga Lodge in Lobamba
I then made my way to Lobamba, which is near the capital and where most tourist activities take place. The Montenga Lodge turned out to be a fantastic place — with its own restaurant overlooking lush greenery, a swimming pool that I made use of, friendly people, and a reasonable price. There was a bit of an elevation difference to get to my room, but that was perfectly fine.
Local Crafts and an Interesting Evening Conversation
In the evening, I explored a nearby touristy area filled with carvings, local crafts, and food. I didn’t buy anything since I prefer not to carry extra stuff, but it was a fun environment to see. I also had a fascinating conversation with a gentleman who works for an investment firm with high stakes in KFC and other grocery chains. He typically flies in and out the same day for business, but this time he had more meetings and stayed overnight.
Final Thoughts on Eswatini
The accommodations in Eswatini are great — everything works well, with maybe one or two small details aside. It’s a pleasure to travel through Eswatini, South Africa, and Lesotho. Good environment all around. Thank you for coming along!
