Eswatini

Travel and Tourism Information

Introduction

The Kingdom of Eswatini (previously called Kingdom of Swaziland) is the smallest landlocked country in the southern hemisphere, and the second smallest country in Africa. It is also one of only a handful of absolute monarchies remaining in the world.

It is a country rich in culture and natural beauty - from its mountains and valleys to forests and plains. Eswatini is also home to pristine wildlife reserves dotted across the country that are home to The Big Five. Visitors seeking hiking, biking and rock climbing adventures will find plenty of incredible opportunities for this too.

With culture, history, wildlife and breathtaking scenery all packed into one country, Eswatini is a wonderful destination for anyone looking to visit the African continent.

Map and Geography 

Eswatini is small, landlocked country, sounded by South Africa to the north, west and south, with Mozambique to the east. The country extends approximately 175 km (110 miles) from north to south, and 130km (80 miles) from west to east. The country went by the name Kingdom of Swaziland until April 2018 when the king announced that he was changing the official name to the Kingdom of Eswatini - Home of the Swatis.

The country’s administrative centre is Mbabane - the former capital during British colonial rule. The national capital is located 11 miles from Mbabane, at Phondvo, in the vicinity of Lobamba, where the houses of parliament and other national institutions are situated. This is also the seat of King Mswati III and his mother.

A long and complex geologic history has created a landscape with a variety of relief, climate, and soils for such a small country. Geologically, the oldest formations are in the west, and the youngest are in the east.

Climate and Temperature

Eswatini’s climate is subtropical in general, but is strongly influenced by the country’s position on the eastern side of southern Africa, which exposes it to moist maritime tropical air coming from the Indian Ocean. Differences in altitude create three specific areas with their own climates and environments. Going from west to east, these are classified as Highveld, Middleveld and Lowveld, with the lowveld being home to most of the nature parks in the country.

Summer daytime tempertures can get very hot, especially from September to November. Temperatures range between 18°C (64°F) in the morning and 30°C (86°F) in the afternoon. The main rainy season in Eswatini runs from mid-October to mid-April. In the western part of the country, rainfall is more abundant due to the higher altitude. Rain typically occurs as afternoon showers or thunderstorms.

The winter months of May to August are dry and sunny with cold nights. This overlaps with the main dry season, which runs from mid-April to mid-October. Average winter temperatures range from 10°C (50°F) in the morning to around 25°C (77°F) in the afternoon.

Population and Language

The population of Eswatini is 1,1 million. The majority of Eswatini's population is ethnic Swati, mixed with a small number of Zulus and white Africans, predominantly of British and Afrikaner origin.

The country's official languages are Siswati and English. Government and commercial business is conducted mainly in English.

Religion

Christianity is the dominant religion in Eswatini. Anglican, Protestant and indigenous African churches including African Zionist and Roman Catholics constitute the majority of the Christians in the country.

Traditional Food and Drink of Eswatini

The traditional diet in Eswatini is based on grains, vegetables and meat such as goat and chicken. Maize and sorghum are the main staples. Pumpkin, green beans, maize, spinach, beetroot, rice and sweet potatoes, along with fruit such as mango, guava, papaya, bananas, pineapple, sugar cane, and avocado are all readily available and enjoyed in Eswatini.

Pounded maize is the most common staple and is cooked in a variety of ways. Sishwala is a thick maize porridge enjoyed with vegetables and meat. Incwancwa is a soured variant of this. Siphuphe setindlubu is made by adding pounded groundnuts, whilst Siphuphe semabhontjisi is made with pounded beans, and Sidvudvu is made by adding pumpkin. Emahewu is a thin fermented porridge enjoyed as a liquid meal.

Tinkhobe is boiled whole maize.

Umbidvo wetintsanga is cooked pumpkin leaves mixed with ground nuts.

Emasi (sour milk) is made from raw cow’s milk. The milk is fermented and then strained. Emasi is used for two traditional dishes, Emasi etinkhobe temmbila (ground maize mixed with sour milk) and Emasi emabele (ground sorghum mixed with sour milk).

Umncweba is dried, uncooked meat, similar to biltong. It is often marinated in vinegar and spices and enjoyed as a snack. Umkhunsu is similar, but the meat gets cooked before it is left to dry.

Umcombotsi / Tjwala (traditional beer) is brewed from fermented maize, maize malt, sorghum malt, yeast and water.

Sibebe Premium Lager is the most popular brand of commercially brewed local beer in Eswatini.

Passport and Visa Requirements 

To enter Eswatini, you must ensure you have a full passport valid for at least three months. For general tourism, visas are not required by citizens of most Commonwealth countries, the USA, Japan, most European Union countries and certain other countries.

Tourist and business travellers are allowed to visit Eswatini for up to 30 days. Following this, you can apply for a further 30-day extension at the Ministry of Home Affairs. If staying for longer than 60 days, you will need to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP).

For a full list of visa rules and requirements, check the official government website. 

Check whether you need any vaccinations to enter Eswatini by visiting the National Travel Health Network and Centre’s TravelHealthPro webite.

If you intend to visit South Africa or Mozambique before or after travelling to Eswatini, your passport should have at least 2 additional blank pages when you present it at immigration to enter or leave Eswatini.

Currency 

The official currency in Lesotho is the Lilangeni (SZL) and it is denoted with an L or an E. The Lilangeni is subdivided into 100 units called cents.

Notes come in denominations of E10, E20, E50, E100, E200, and coins are in denominations of 10, 20, 50 cents, as well as L1, E2, E5.

Local currency notes and coins are used throughout the country and are the accepted form of payment in restaurants and shops, as well as at hotels and lodges. Esawtini’s currency is pegged to the South African rand on a 1:1 basis, and both currencies are accepted as legal tender in Eswatini, though change will most likely be given in emalangeni.

ATMs are common throughout Eswatini, but cards might not be accepted in rural areas so it is always best to keep cash.

Electricity 

Power plugs and sockets in Eswatini are of type M. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.

International Dialing Code

The international dialing code in Eswatini is +268

Telecommunications 

Telecommunications in Eswatini includes newspapers, radio, television, fixed and mobile telephones and the internet.

Internet cafes can be found in Mbabane but are not widely available. Internet is almost nonexistent in rural areas due to the lack of communications infrastructure and high cost of access.

Transportation

The country's only international airport is King Mswati III International Airport and is located in the eastern part of the country. Flights to Eswatini connect via Johannesburg in South Africa.

Travel by road is the most common mode of transport in Eswatini. Driving into Eswatini is relatively easy, but drivers are warned to be wary of pot holes, pedestrians and wandering livestock.

There are road toll fees for vehicles entering Eswatini. There are no Bureau de Change facilities at border posts, but South African Rands are accepted. If entering Eswatini in a hired car, you will need a letter from the car hire company, and hold a valid drivers licence and valid passport.

Some border crossings are open 24 hours while others open 06h00 and close at 22:00. In addition, due to the impact of Covid, not all border posts may be open.

Traffic in Eswatini drives on the left, as in the rest of southern Africa. Drivers will need their driving licence or an international licence in English. Road quality is generally good around main towns, with tarmac surfaces and reasonable street lighting at night. Outside of the main towns, roads are typically gravel roads with uneven surfaces. In more remote areas, a 4x4 vehicle is recommended.

Traffic accidents in Eswatini are high, so it is important to be careful and vigilant. Always wear a seatbelt and avoid driving at night where possible.

Filling stations are available at all main towns, most borders and some key road junctions. A pump attendant is often on hand to fill your vehicle, and may also check your oil and water and give your windscreen a clean; a modest tip is always welcome, though never demanded. Larger filling stations will have a shop with basic supplies, and a garage where they will repair a puncture and fix other minor mechanical problems.

Eswatini has quite an extensive bus network, but services are usually overcrowded, unreliable, and can potentially be dangerous. Local authorities typically discourage tourists from traveling by public buses. Mbabane and Manzini both have large bus ranks, but timetables are rarely available or published.

Time

The time zone in Eswatini is GMT+2 or South Africa Standard Time.

Health

Basic healthcare is available in Eswatini, but shortages are frequent, even of common medications. For serious accidents and emergencies, medical evacuation to South Africa is necessary. Local private hospitals can arrange evacuation but only if you are fully insured or you can produce funds in advance. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

It is wise to be up to date on tetanus, polio and diphtheria, and hepatitis A. Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is needed if you are coming from a yellow fever endemic area, though a yellow fever vaccine is not needed for Eswatini alone. Before traveling to Eswatini, you should consult your doctor and ensure that your routine vaccines are up to date.

Anti-Malarial medication is only required if travelling to the eastern part of the country. There is a very high HIV/AIDS infection rate, and therefore all precautions should be taken.

Security checks from border forces and the local police aren’t uncommon, especially for tourists.

Be mindful to protect yourself against sunstroke, snake bites, tick-bite fever, Sleeping Sickness and Bilharzia.

Safety

Eswatini is generally a safe country to visit and tourists are seldom targeted. Hospitality is a cornerstone of Swati culture and a typical visitor will experience Eswatini as a friendly and relaxed country to visit.

Whilst crime levels are generally low, street crimes and burglaries do occur, and can involve violence. There is often an increase in criminal activity during holiday periods. It is recommended to avoid walking in urban areas of Mbabane and Manzini after dark, and to avoid travelling around in remote rural areas unless in a group. Manzini has a worse reputation for petty crime compared to Mbabane.

Keep valuables such as mobile phones, cameras and handbags out of sight and avoid carrying large amounts of money or wearing expensive jewellery.

The most serious hazards for travellers in Eswatini are mainly on the roads. Avoid travelling into or out of Eswatini by road at night as there have been incidences of car hijackings on major routes from South Africa and Mozambique. Drivers who break down or need to change a tyre should be wary of anyone who offers help. Similarly, be weary about stopping to help anyone on the road as hijackers have been known to use this trick to lure unsuspecting victims. Ensure you always park in well-lit areas of town.

In general, the basic guidelines for safe travel are the same in Eswatini as anywhere else - be alert, avoid compromising situations and do not play the tourist too overtly.

LGBTQI+ Travellers

The law in Eswatini does not protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Same-sex sexual relationships are generally considered taboo, and open displays of affection are frowned upon.

Always check your government's latest travel advice before you visit.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Eswatini?

Eswatini is a year-round destination. If your main purpose for visiting the country is to see wildlife, the best time to visit is during the dry winter months of May to September when the trees are less leafy and animals gather at waterholes. Winter mornings and evenings around June/July can be quite cold with temperatures dropping as low as 5°C. Day time temperatures in winter reach around 20°C.

The summer season (October to April) is hot and wet, and landscapes are beautifully lush and green with an abundance of birdlife.

Key Attractions

Lobamba

Located in the beautiful Ezulwini valley, Lobamba is home to Eswatini's monarchy. Lobamba Royal Village includes the Royal Kraal, the Parliament building and other government buildings.

The small and modest National Museum in Lobamba hosts fascinating exhibits on the history, culture and nature of Eswatini. The displays include examples of traditional dress with explanations of the significance of each piece, as well as a few exhibits on the native wildlife.

Hlane Royal National Park

Hlane Royal National Park is home to the largest herds of game in the country and is one of the few places in Eswatini where visitors have a chance of seeing lions, elephants and rhinos. The park is also home to a diverse collection of birds, including the highest density of breeding white-backed vultures on the continent. Activities on offer include guided mountain biking, cultural visits to a nearby Swati village, bird watching walks and overnight bush treks.

Mkhaya Game Reserve

Located about 40 minutes drive south of Hlane Royal National Park, Mkhaya Game Reserve was established to protect endangered species, including white and black rhino. The park also protects buffaloes, giraffes, hippos and many birds.

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary

Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is one of Eswatini’s first conservation areas and its most popular game reserve. It was established by Ted and Elizabeth Reilly, who turned their farm into a game reserve. The non-profit wildlife sanctuary has now grown to 4,560 hectares of wilderness surrounded by the Nyonyane Mountains, and is home to more than 400 species of birds and many animals.

Malolotja Nature Reserve

Located in the northwest, Malolotja Nature Reserve is the largest protected area in the country. Cutting through the nature reserve is the Malolotja River, which forms a series of waterfalls, including the country's highest cascades, the Malolotja Falls. Habitats range from wetlands and grasslands to thick riverine forest. In spring and summer, wildflowers brighten up the beautiful landscape.

Mantenga Nature Reserve

Home to Mantenga Cultural Village, visitors can take guided tours and learn about Swati culture and customs. Visitors can participate in activities such as weaving mountain grass and grinding grains, and watch impressive performances of traditional song and dance. The reserve also protects wildlife such as baboons, vervet monkeys, bush babies, porcupines, rock hyraxes, servals, leopards, and various species of antelope, as well as an abundance of birds. Visitors can explore the reserve on foot, in their own vehicles, or on mountain bike.

Mantenga Falls, Eswatini's most famous falls with the greatest volume of water, is located in Mantenga Nature Reserve.

Mlawula Nature Reserve

Landscapes here range from dry savannah to rolling green valleys and dense riverine forests, with mountains running along the Mozambique border. Due to the contrasting ecological zones, wildlife is varied here and includes 60 species of small and large animals such as wildebeest, kudu, impala, and tortoises, as well as 350 species of birds, many insects, and an impressive array of plants.

Mbuluzi Game Reserve

Mbuluzi Game Reserve is located on the banks of the croc-filled Mlawula river. Self-guided wildlife safaris offer a vast variety of animals to see. Bird watching is also a highlight with more than 300 species to see, including the beautiful Narina trogon.

Umhlanga Reed Dance Ceremony

Umhlanga is Eswatini’s most famous festival and it takes place during the last week of August, or first week of September.

Incwala

Incwala is a kingship ritual comprising of a number of activities and lasting about three weeks around the summer solstice. Gathered at the new moon, representatives of the Bemanti people bring water from the main rivers and young men then build a royal kraal at Lobamba. The king symbolically tastes the first fruits of the harvest followed by cheerful song and dance.