Top Things to do in Manzini
What to do and see in Manzini, Swaziland: The Best Places and Tips
Discover the best top things to do in Manzini, Swaziland including Myxo's WOZA NAWE Cultural Day Tours, Swazi Candles, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swazi Cultural Village, Manzini Market, House On Fire, Amarasti.
Restaurants in Manzini
1. Myxo's WOZA NAWE Cultural Day Tours
Overall Ratings
5 based on 50 reviews
Swazi village visits are offering a unique experience for travelers who want to meet the local people in a non touristic environment. We have our home set up in the village of kaPhunga about 55kms away from Manzini town. Here you will have the feeling of living in the village and also with out being an intruder and the people are very friendly as you walk in the village people would be happy to say Sawbona (hello). You can go for Swazi home visit, and see the set up of the Swazi family and make use of your basic siSwati language which your guide would have taught you on the way. You can also visit the local primary school and meet the kids depending if they are busy, usually you will have a chance to tell them where you come from and share what ever information about your country of which they are always very eager to learn and also teach you more about our country Swaziland. An overnight stay is well recommended since you can taste the Swazi traditional food in the evening, sit by the fire and tell some Swazi stories and or some ghosts stories. This offers a wonderful stay in Swaziland and you make friends for life both young and old.
Reviewed By leciel83 - Toronto, Canada
We are a party of two and was on a short trip to southern part of Africa, so we would like to explore as many countries as possible. Day 1 when we first landed at Manzini at 8am, Myxo was there at the arrival hall waiting for us. Without any delay we were off to Mozambique for a day trip to Maputo. My friend and I encountered some issues at the Mozambique boarder (boarder guards wanted to distort the purpose of our visit from a simple tourist purpose to something else so they can get more $$$ out of us) Myxo was there to talk things through. But the officer was stubborn so we had to find the chief of station. Thank god he was a righteous person so we only had to pay the exact amount of visa of arrival and we were waved through). Myxo drove us around town and we had a great unique visit of Maputo. Back to Swaziland, we stayed at the village. Bobo and Linda were there to greet us. The next morning we had a chance to visit the local school and had a hike to see a great and beautiful view point at a top of the hill ! That was the highlight of the trip.
So thank you Myxo and the team for your kind host and hospitality ! My friend and I had a wonderful time with you !
2. Swazi Candles
Overall Ratings
4 based on 224 reviews
Swazi Candles Factory Shop is an music filled workshop, open to the public. Come and see the artisans sculpting the wax and see our 100% handmade process. There are a multitude of other shops and a handcraft market as well as a tea garden serving delicious food and a selection of cakes and coffee/teas etc. A children's playground is available for the young ones.
Reviewed By Horst S - Cape Town Central, South Africa
One of your definite stops when travelling through Swaziland is the Swazi Candles Center: Next to hand-made candles there is an array of shops with textiles (batik and other types of print), a well stocked curio market and an excellent restaurant. Although this stop is also frequented by larger groups, service if fast and friendly, prices reasonable.
3. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4 based on 117 reviews
Reviewed By KaylaWoodhouse
Lovely nature reserve, they don't have the big five but they have some lovely warthog and other smaller animals that aeren't afraid of people and cars. The warthog just chill with you by the firepit. Dinner was available in a buffet syle for R160 (ish) and breakfast again buffet for R120, both were very nice, dinner more so. The park fees are R50 per person unless you have a wildcard and then it is free.
The accommodation was comfortable but walls very thin, we could hear the neighbors coughing, just so you know.
This place had the most friendly staff and we really enjoyed one night of just chilling out here. In the evening they had some traditional dancing which was amazing, real entertainment and highlight of the stay. However at the end of the show we noticed lots of people leaving without giving the dancers a tip, this was really sad to see. R10 is hardly 60 pence, come on people if your willing to watch a show then give these people that have little or nothing, give at least R10 they are working for it!!
4. Swazi Cultural Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 174 reviews
Reviewed By mdyrdek - Solothurn, Switzerland
We visited on a Saturday morning, arrived around 9:00, and it was pretty empty. We only saw a couple sets of guests (not more than 10-15 people when we visited). Once the 11:15 traditional dance show started, guests poured in from out of nowhere. If you want to enjoy the falls and the tour before the show, you could get lucky and have few guests to contend with.
It costs R100 per person (at least for adults, not sure about kids) and includes a tour of the village (about 45-60 minutes, depending on size of group). You can also walk 800m (uphill at first, then down) to the Waterfalls. There are two showtimes for the traditional dance (11:15 and another one in the afternoon, not sure when though) and it lasts 45 minutes. I would say allot about 2.5 hours for the whole experience (waterfall, tour, dance). However, I didn't think the waterfall was worth it, especially if you've seen Waterfalls before. You don't even get very close to them.
There is also an onsite restaurant offering pizzas (about R60-70), pastas (about R55), burgers, sandwiches, salads, and more. However, be prepared to wait a while for the food. We arrived at 10:45 and not one other customer was there. We quickly ordered two of the same pizza and they had to bring it to the show as they were not ready by 11:15. They brought it over around 11:35. No worries though as they have Takeout boxes. If you're in a hurry, I would suggest ordering your food right before the show starts and it will be ready about the time the show is over (and still hot).
Overall, it was a nice experience, though felt very commercialized (even sold CDs of the music after the show). However, readers should keep in mind that my husband and I have been to several villages throughout other countries in Southern Africa, so we have experienced some real local villages before. I would do it if staying nearby (like at the Milwane area). We came from Hlane and it was just a side day trip toward Hluhluwe. Due to the lack of authenticity, I wouldn't go out of my way to go, but if you've never been to a village it might be worth a visit for you.
5. Manzini Market
Overall Ratings
4 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By dmittleman - Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
This market is full of local color. Stalls brimming with colorful fruits and vegetables, household good, souvenir area... It's packed and surrounded by traffic. The local people, however, are not friendly to tourists. They generally do not want pictures taken. Many don't even want tourists there. I heard calls of "the white man is coming" and not in a friendly way. It's a great place to visit, but do so with caution.
6. House On Fire
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By kdgarlipp - Pretoria, South Africa
The assembled art works and buildings of all sorts create a setting for the bush on fire art festival held here annually. The individual artworks are amazing and require investigation and perusal. The shops around are interesting but the tintsa grass mat weaving is off site, only the dying is done here.
7. Amarasti
Overall Ratings
4 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By penny n - Piet Retief, South Africa
Stunning selection of handcrafted handbags, purses, backpacks and more. Perfect gifts if you visiting from overseas but also special for Southern african visitors. The shop assistant was so friendly and welcoming plus quick to point out the uniqueness of the various items/
