Eswatini Flag of Eswatini

countryAfrica

Eswatini is a COUNTRY in Africa.

Nestled between South Africa and Mozambique, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is a small yet captivating kingdom brimming with cultural richness and natural beauty. Known for its vibrant traditions, the country hosts the annual Umhlanga (Reed Dance) and Incwala ceremonies, offering travelers a glimpse into its deep-rooted heritage. Explore the lush landscapes of Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, hike the dramatic Malolotja Nature Reserve, or marvel at the cascading Mantenga Falls. Eswatini's warm hospitality, combined with its thriving arts and crafts scene, makes it a unique destination for those seeking an authentic African experience. Don’t miss the chance to savor local delicacies like sidvudvu (pumpkin porridge) and sip on traditional marula beer!

Best time to visit Eswatini

The best time to visit Eswatini is during the dry season, from May to September, when the weather is mild and wildlife viewing is optimal. Avoid the rainy season (November to March) for outdoor activities.

October

Now

Typical for October

Weather
Hot 25-32°C, start of rain

Travel notes

Crowds
Low
Prices
Low

Shoulder season, fewer tourists.

Know before you go

Getting there

MTS

King Mswati III International Airport

International

0 km away

SHO

King Shaka International Airport (Durban)

International

350 km away

JNB

O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)

International

400 km away

MPM

Maputo International Airport

International

200 km away

Getting around

"Getting around Eswatini is relatively easy. Car rentals are popular for exploring at your own pace, while minibuses (kombis) are the most common form of public transport for short distances. Taxis are available in urban areas, and guided tours are recommended for visiting remote attractions."

Stay connected

WiFi speed

20 Mbps

Mobile data

Good

WiFi

Available in hotels and cafes in cities

Local SIM

Local SIM available at airport from $5 (e.g., MTN, Eswatini Mobile)

Calling code

+268

Stay safe

Overall

8/10

Petty crime exists but violent crime is low. Road conditions are good.

Night safety

7/10

Petty crime exists but violent crime is low. Road conditions are good.

Transport

9/10

Scam risk

6/10

"Exercise caution in urban areas at night and avoid displaying valuables in public."

Entry and health

Visa requirements

"Most nationalities can enter Eswatini visa-free for up to 30 days; check with your local embassy for specific requirements."

Health information

"No mandatory vaccinations are required, but hepatitis A, typhoid, and malaria prophylaxis are recommended. Drink bottled or boiled water to avoid waterborne diseases."

Culture

Local customs

"Eswatini is a conservative country, so dress modestly, especially in rural areas. Greetings are important; always greet locals with a handshake and a smile. Respect for elders and traditional customs is highly valued. Avoid taking photos of people without permission."
Swazi (siSwati) (official)English (official)EnglishSwazi (siSwati)

Costs and practicals

Currency

Lilangeni (SZL) · L

Cost level

Mid-range

Meals

$5-10 | a cheap local meal costs around $5-10

Hotels

$40-100 | budget hotels range $40-100/night

Local transport

$1-2 | local bus ride ~$1-2

Cost notes

Accommodation and tours are the main expenses; food and transport are affordable.

Timezone

Africa/Mbabane +02:00 (GMT)

More facts

Population

1,136,191

Area

17,363 km²

Government

Absolute Monarchy

ISO code

SZ, SWZ

Type

country

Frequently Asked Questions

Also known as: Swazilân, ସ୍ଵାଜିଲ୍ୟାଣ୍ଡ, سوازيلند, स्वाजीलैंड, សូហ្ស៉ីឡង់, Esuaitíní, Suasïsuiu, Essuatíni, Szváziföld, Swáazi Dineʼé Bikéyah, ประเทศเอสวาตินี, Suaziland, सुआजीलैंड, Keyîtiya Swazîland, 斯威士兰 / 史瓦蒂尼 / 斯威士蘭, Swazieennâm, Pow Swati, Teyrnas Eswatini, Kraljevina Esvatini, Эсватини, Kongeriket Eswatini, סוואזילאנד, Svaasimaa, Suazilandia, Swasiland, ସ୍ବାଜିଲାଣ୍ଡ, ስዋዚላንድ, Нгване;Е-Сватіні, Есватини, سوازيلاندا, ประเทศสวาซิแลนด์, Suazia, Tavetã Esuatíni, Свазіленд, سوازیلاند, Souazilande, Swaziland, Swoseland, Swazijânnam, 史瓦帝尼, Sīwēishìlán, Swaasilannda, Eswatini, ස්වාසිලන්තය, سوازیلند, ဆွာဇီလန်နိုင်ငံ, Svaziujo, स्वाझिलँड, ஸ்வாஸிலாண்ட், Suwasilandiya, Kinneksräich Swasiland, ესვატინის სამეფო, സ്വാസിലാൻറ്, Свазиленд;Суазиленд, Szváziföldi Királyság, Regne de Swazilàndia, Swazimaa, Kerajaan Swaziland, Свазиленд, Swazilandia, 스와질란드, Suwasilandya, Сўазілэнд;Эсўатыні, Suwaasilaand, Sƿasiland, Sṳ̂-vî-sṳ-làn, ಸ್ವಾಜಿಲ್ಯಾಂಡ್, 史瓦蒂尼, Svazėlands, Suasalainn, Esuatíni, Svazilando, Սվազիլենդ, Swazia, Regne d'Eswatini, Suazitlālpan, 史瓦濟蘭, Королівство Е-Сватіні, ሱዋዚላንድ, Sważiland, Нгване;Свазіленд, i-Swaziland, Swäzïlânde, スワジランド, Каралеўства Эсваціні, Swasisuyu, Swazilend, Suacilandia, Warerangi, Эсваціні, ISwazilandi, Свазилендин Нутг, 斯威士蘭, سۋازىلېند, Swazi-tē, Swaziphäts, ẞwaasiland, Königreich von Eswatini, Svaziland, Suwazilandi, સ્વાઝિલેન્ડ, 斯威士兰 / 斯威士蘭 / 史瓦濟蘭, Swazilann, Dùthaich nan Suasaidh, స్వాజీలేండ్, Svazilend, Swati, Konungariket Swaziland, Umbuso weSwatini, エスワティニ, סווזילנד, Swazini, E-xoa-ti-ni;Swaziland;Xoa-di-len, Swazîland, Swazilund, Svazijské království, სვაზილენდი, Esvatini, Suwazilan, Swazilandi, Svasiyän, Swazirandi, Soazilandy, Королевство Эсватини, Суазиланд, Iswaasilaand, स्वाजिल्याण्ड, Swasilound, Эсўаціні, Esvatini Krallığı, Royaume d’Eswatini, Сўазілэнд, Orílẹ́ède Saṣiland, Βασίλειο της Σουαζιλάνδης, Суазилэнд, ਸਵਾਜ਼ੀਲੈਂਡ, Vương quốc Eswatini, Reino de Essuatíni, Swaziland nutome, Yn Çheer Swassee, An tSuasalainn, ສະວາຊິແລນ, Swasilandya, Swazilandiako Erresuma, Kraljevina Svazi, Swazilande, Uswazi, Isiwaatiinii, स्वाज़ीलैण्ड, Suazi, स्वाझीलँड, Regatul eSwatini, 斯威士兰, ސުވާޒިލޭންޑު, Kingdom of Eswatini, সোয়াজিল্যান্ড, سُوزِلینٛڑ, Kingdom of Swaziland;Umbuso weSwatini, ma Sawasi, Svazilenda, Suazilândia, eSwatini;Swaziland, Eswatinské kráľovstvo, Suasileni, Królestwo Eswatini, ราชอาณาจักรเอสวาตินี, سوازيلاند, Swazilandya, സ്വാസിലാന്റ്, Svazilandë, Королівство Есватіні, eSwatini, Есватіні, சுவாசிலாந்து, Swazilàndia, Краљевина Есватини, Suazilendi, suazilynd, Свазиланд, Svazi, Σουαζιλάνδη, Svaasimaa Kuningriik, સ્વાઝીલેન્ડ, Svazijsko, ესვატინი, Svaziio;Svaziujo, Svazilandas, Swásílándì, Suazilana, Swazieana, Ríocht Esuaitíní, Swazilando, Gwlad Swazi, སུ་ཝ་ཛི་ལནཌ།, ממלכת אסוואטיני, Svasíland, སུ་ཝ་ཛི་ལེནཌ, 에스와티니, Svasiland, Кралство Есватини, Svazilando Karalystė, سوازی لینڈ, Swazilanda, سوازيلانډ

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