Malkerns Valley
Close to the ground.
GPS: S 25 28.133 E 030 58.448 | pop. 230,000 | elevation 684 m/2,244 ft
Malkerns Valley is a popular stopover between the tourist friendly Ezulwini Valley and the main city of Manzini. Spotted with pineapple plantations and some of the best budget accommodation options in the country, Malkerns Valley has a growing reputation for its array of local craft shops and its community art scene.
Nyanza Horse Trails
Nyanza Horse Trails offers horseback riding through the surrounding mountains and forest.
Swazi Quad
Swazi Quad offers quad biking tours through rural Swaziland, into villages and to waterfalls. The day trip includes a traditional Swazi lunch and dinner, and your guide, Richard, will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation.
Swazi Candle Crafts Center
Swazi Candle Crafts Center has grown to include a few other shops geared toward tourists. In addition to handmade candles and soaps, there are shops selling Baobab Batik items, hand-woven blankets, scarves and shawls, handcrafted bags, linens and accessories. There is also a café onsite that serves drinks and snacks.
Gone Rural
Gone Rural is the retail store of the Gone Rural Organization, which sells mostly woven grass products such as baskets, table settings and floor mats as well as handbags, ceramics and accessories. The products are made by women living in rural Swaziland using locally grown lutindzi grass and are sold throughout the world. The women who supply the craft products also have access to HIV/AIDS workshops.
Shoprite Shopping Center
Shoprite Shopping Center has a few stores and fast food shops with some local fruit and vegetable stands nearby.
Budget
Swaziland Backpackers
Swaziland Backpackers is one of the best backpackers in the country. The former doctor's house has been transformed - travelers lounge in the common areas on large pillows and outside, the pool area and bar gets crowded when the backpackers is busy. Swazi Backpackers can arrange horseback riding, quad biking and tours throughout Swaziland. The house has a relationship with the nearby Bethany Care Point Orphanage, where guests can volunteer.
Mid-range
Malandela's B&B
Malandela's B&B is an eight-room family friendly B&B packed with character. It's situated in the small Malandela's complex that also has one of the better restaurants in the area, a pub, craft shop, and Internet café. Each room is vibrantly colored, uniquely decorated and situated across a large garden area and pool.
Nyanza B&B
Nyanza B&B is situated on a horse farm with cats, dogs, chickens, peacocks and a host of other animals. There are only four rooms at this B&B and it is an especially wonderful place to stay if you are interested in horseback riding with Nyanza Horse Trails for the day.
Willow Lodge
Willow Lodge is a quiet cluster of 13 brick chalets each with TV and AC and kitchenette, surrounded by pineapple and sugarcane fields. There is a restaurant with a bar upstairs and central braai area outside.
Rainbird Chalets B&B
Rainbird Chalets B&B has two log cabins and two A-frames on a family banana farm where hydroponic cucumbers and peppers are also grown. All of the rooms have TV and AC. Those who enjoy bird watching will like the A-frames that overlook a dam-built pond where birds frequent. Breakfast is available upon request.
Malandela's Restaurant
Malandela's Restaurant is a great resturant for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It has a constantly changing chalkboard menu, primarily of steaks and local game. There is a large fireplace inside for cool evenings and covered outdoor seating that overlooks fields of sugarcane.
House On Fire
House On Fire is a large concert venue that is a hot destination when it has an event, which is only about twice a month. Check their website, the local newspaper or ask at where you are staying to get their latest schedule.
House On Fire
House On Fire is a large concert venue that is a hot destination when it has an event, which is only about twice a month. Check their website, the local newspaper or ask at where you are staying to get their latest schedule.