[9] It is 16 kilometres (10 mi) from Mbabane, in the district of Hhohho[6] and has a subtropical climate with wet summers and dry winters.

[11][nb 1] In 1903, following the Boer Wars, the British government took control of Eswatini and it was then ruled by a regent.

[15] Eswatini became independent of the British government on September 6, 1968, which was announced at a cattle byre in Lobamba by Prince Makhosini.

With its independence, Eswatini was a member in its own right of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), British Commonwealth, and the United Nations.

[16] It was made a constitutional monarchy under Sobhuza II,[17] who lived in the royal residence, or kraal, in Lobamba.

The royal Embo State Palace was built by the British to house the polygamous Sobhuza II and his family, including 600 children.

[9][18] King Mswati III lives at the Lozitha Palace, about ten kilometres (6 mi) from the city.

[20] During the British colonial era Lord Selborne, High Commissioner for South Africa signed a proclamation in 1907 for what became the Eswatini Police Force.

[25] The museum houses a memorial to the revered King Sobhuza II[18] and Swazi and South African artifacts.

It has a collection of photographs that include subjects of the Mbabane and Manzini Regions and British colonial administrators.

A 16th-century head of Krishna, discovered nearby, is located in the natural history wing and provides evidence of trade with the east.

[13][25] The natural history wing includes highveld and lowveld dioramas to illustrate the diverse Eswatini ecosystems and feature rarely seen nocturnal animals.

Throughout the park are opportunities to observe game,[13] including antelope, giraffe, zebras, and many types of birds.

[19] Malkerns Valley is an arts and crafts center located seven kilometres (4+1⁄2 mi) south of Lobamba.