From the red clay roads of the Ezulwini Valley to the shimmering recycled glass at Ngwenya, Eswatini feels handcrafted at every turn. The air carries the scent of wood smoke, marula fruit and fresh-cut grass; roadside stalls brim with color, rhythm and centuries of craft.

If you close your eyes you’ll hear the beat of drums and picture woven baskets stacked like little villages on market tables — these are the textures of Eswatini souvenirs.

Whether you’re hunting for Ngwenya Glass art, beadwork from Manzini or a candle that smells like a mountain village, here’s what to buy in Eswatini to bring a piece of this small, proud kingdom home with you.

1. Ngwenya Glass

Why pick this up: Ngwenya Glass is Eswatini’s showpiece: sculptural vases, ornaments and bottles made from melted recycled glass that catch light like jewels. Each piece feels alive — bubbles, swirls and unexpected colors tell the tale of reclamation and craft.
What to look for: Thick, hand-blown pieces with a clear recycled-glass texture; small ornaments or tumblers for easy packing, or statement vases with layered color. Look for the Ngwenya sticker or purchase directly at the Ngwenya Glass Centre.
Price bracket (2025): E80–E3,000 (ornaments E80–E300; larger vases and sculptures E500+)
Where to find it: Ngwenya Glass Centre (Ngwenya, northwest of Mbabane), Ezulwini craft stalls and some galleries in Mbabane and Manzini.

2. Swazi Candles

Why pick this up: Swazi candles are almost sculptural — carved, layered and often fragranced with local oils. They’re a bright, practical memory of late-night markets and mountain breezes.
What to look for: Intricately carved or multi-colored layered candles that keep their shape; scented options (marula, lemon grass) if you want a scent-memory of Eswatini.
Price bracket (2025): E30–E600 (small decorative candles E30–E100; large carved pieces E200–E600)
Where to find it: Swazi candle producers near Matsapha, craft markets in Ezulwini and vendors in Mbabane and Manzini.

3. Beaded Jewelry and Regalia

Why pick this up: Beadwork in Eswatini blends color and story — necklaces, belts and bracelets echoing royal motifs used during ceremonies like Incwala. They’re wearable, lightweight and deeply local.
What to look for: Tight, even beadwork in traditional color patterns; pieces made by known coop artisans (ask about origin); beaded belts or headpieces for an authentic memento.
Price bracket (2025): E20–E500 (simple bracelets E20–E60; elaborate regalia or beaded necklaces E200–E500)
Where to find it: Ezulwini Craft Market, Mbabane market stalls, community craft cooperatives around Manzini.

4. Woven Baskets and Grass Mats

Why pick this up: Hand-woven baskets and mats are functional art — perfect for display, picnic hauls or wall decor. The tactile weave and natural dyes capture rural Eswatini.
What to look for: Tight, even weave and natural materials (sisal, ilala palm or local grasses); lids that fit snugly and clean finishes without loose ends.
Price bracket (2025): E50–E700 (small baskets E50–E150; large floor baskets or ceremonial mats E300–E700)
Where to find it: Rural craft markets, Manzini and Mbabane markets, and craft stalls in Lobamba and Ezulwini.

5. Hand-Carved Wooden Sculptures

Why pick this up: From carved antelope to stylized human figures, woodcarvings reflect wildlife and everyday life in Eswatini. They age beautifully and carry the grain of local trees.
What to look for: Smooth finishing, no loose chips, signed or labeled by the carver if possible; sustainable wood sources and smaller sizes for travel.
Price bracket (2025): E80–E1,500 (small animal carvings E80–E300; larger panels or sculptures E500+)
Where to find it: Mbabane and Manzini craft stalls, Piggs Peak and artisan villages; galleries in Ezulwini.

6. Pottery and Ceramics

Why pick this up: Local potters shape traditional forms with earthy glazes — mugs, bowls and decorative pots that feel rooted in the valley soils of Eswatini.
What to look for: Hand-thrown marks, natural clay hues, and kiln-fired glazes free of cracks; consider smaller, packable pieces or nested sets.
Price bracket (2025): E60–E800 (small cups E60–E200; statement pots E300–E800)
Where to find it: Pottery studios around Malkerns and Ezulwini, craft markets in Manzini and Mbabane.

7. Traditional Textiles & Shawls

Why pick this up: Bold wraps, shawls and cloths reflect Swazi identity — colours worn during dances and ceremonies that make striking scarves or table throws back home.
What to look for: Rich dyes, sturdy weave and patterns used in ceremonial dress; ask about fabrics made locally rather than imported.
Price bracket (2025): E100–E900 (simple wraps E100–E300; heavier ceremonial shawls or bespoke pieces E400–E900)
Where to find it: Manzini textile stalls, Lobamba and Mbabane markets, textile cooperatives.

8. Marula Products & Local Preserves

Why pick this up: Marula — fragrant, citrusy and indigenous to the region — turns into oils, jams and sweet preserves that are delicious reminders of Eswatini’s fruit season.
What to look for: Cold-pressed marula oil for skin, sealed jars of marula jam, and artisanal marula liqueurs bottled locally (check alcohol import rules for your country).
Price bracket (2025): E30–E350 (small jars or oils E30–E120; specialty liqueurs or larger bottles E200–E350)
Where to find it: Manzini market, rural stalls, specialty shops in Ezulwini and Mbabane.

9. Tin Art & Recycled Metal Sculptures

Why pick this up: Creative metalworkers turn oil drums and scrap into lively animals, lamps and yard art with a playful African sensibility — lightweight and graphic.
What to look for: Smooth edges, secure welds and vibrant paint; smaller sculptures or lamps are easier to pack than large garden pieces.
Price bracket (2025): E50–E1,200 (small ornaments E50–E200; larger lamps or yard pieces E300–E1,200)
Where to find it: Ezulwini craft markets, Mbabane craft corridors and workshops around Manzini.

10. Handcrafted Leather Goods & Sandals

Why pick this up: Local leatherworkers produce sturdy sandals, belts and bags that are both practical and worn-in comfortable — ideal for warm-weather wardrobes.
What to look for: Quality stitching, vegetable-tanned leather and comfortable soles; custom-fit sandals are often available in market workshops.
Price bracket (2025): E150–E800 (simple sandals or small bags E150–E350; larger leather bags or custom shoes E400–E800)
Where to find it: Leatherworkers in Manzini, Mbabane markets, and artisan stalls in Ezulwini.

A final tip: bargain respectfully at markets, ask artisans about materials and provenance, and pack delicate Ngwenya Glass and pottery with clothes or bubble wrap to avoid damage. Happy shopping — bring home the spirit of Eswatini souvenirs. 🌍

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!