Manzini is right at the centre of this small, mountainous country. It's a good place to stop on your way between national parks and reserves (particularly Hlane NP and Mkhaya Game Reserve). I found it to be a popular place, nicer than Mbabane, the capital, situated in agricultural planes at the border of South Africa. The air is less clammy, the city is a little smaller and there are more mountains round about. On the other hand, the city is ugly and rather chaotic, with tuktuks everywhere and roads full of potholes. At least it's authentic!
But what I'd definitely recommend is paying a visit to the market. Swazi arts and crafts are well known and very attractive, for the quality of the products as much as for the price. The people are known for the pretty, coloured artisanal candles they produce, as well as for their batiks, painted by hand, which takes a lot of patience.
Be sure not too miss the important ceremonies of the Swazis in the region, Umhlanga in August/September and Incwala in December/January.
