Lobamba

Lobamba in the Ezulwini valley is where the parliament of Eswatini sits and where the Queen Mother's residence stands, making it the country's traditional and legislative centre while Mbabane handles administration. The national stadium, the parliament building and the royal village are all here, and the Reed Dance and the Incwala ceremony take place at the royal enclosure. Photography around the royal areas is restricted.

Background

Lobamba lies in the Hhohho region, 16 kilometres from Mbabane, between Ezulwini and Mahlanya and across from Elangeni, with the Lusushwana as its nearest river. It stands at 694 metres and has a subtropical climate of wet summers and dry winters. In 1997 the population was 3,625. The royal village here is called Ludzidzini, and the national stadium is Somhlolo National Stadium. Two places have carried the name, and the earlier one, known today as Old Lobamba, dates from 1750 and lay in the south of the country. Today's Lobamba has two primary schools, two high schools and two clinics.

Source: Wikipedia, "Lobamba"

What's there

• The parliament building - the legislature, separate from administrative Mbabane.
• The royal village - the Queen Mother's residence and enclosure.
• The national stadium - where the large national ceremonies are held.
• The Ezulwini setting - the valley the whole complex sits in.

When to go

Year round. The Reed Dance falls around late August or early September and Incwala around December or January. Ceremony dates are set by the moon and announced late.

Good to know

Photography around the royal residence is restricted and rules must be followed. Much of the area is not open to visitors on ordinary days. Ceremony dates are announced late and cannot be planned far ahead.

Nearby

Mantenga is west, and Mlilwane is south.

Key facts