Eswatini

Artifacts indicating human activity dating back to the early Stone Age 200,000 years ago have been found in the Kingdom of Eswatini. Prehistoric rock art paintings date from ca. 25,000 BC. The earliest inhabitants of the area were Khoisan hunter-gatherers. They were largely replaced by the Bantu tribes during Bantu migrations who hailed from the Great Lakes regions of Eastern Africa.

The autonomy of the Swaziland Nation was dictated by British rule of southern Africa in the 19th and 20th centuries. In 1881 the British government signed a convention recognizing Swazi independence. At the start of the Anglo Boer war, Britain placed Swaziland under its direct jurisdiction as a Protectorate. The Swaziland independence Constitution was promulgated by Britain in November 1963 in terms of which a legislative Council and an Executive Council were established. The first Legislative Council of Swaziland was constituted on 9 September 1964. Changes to the original constitution proposed by the Legislative Council were accepted by Britain and a new Constitution providing for a House of Assembly and Senate was drawn up. Elections under this Constitution were held in 1967. Since 1973, Swaziland has seen a quiet struggle between pro-multiparty activists and the monarchy. It gained independence from the UK in 1968.

Generally speaking, rain falls mostly during the summer months, often in the form of thunderstorms. Winter is the dry season. Annual rainfall is highest on the Highveld in the west, between 1,000 and 2,000 mm depending on the year. The further east, the less rain, with the Lowveld recording 500 to 900 mm per annum. Variations in temperature are also related to the altitude of the different regions. The Highveld temperature is temperate and seldom uncomfortably hot while the Lowveld may record temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius in summer. Pack rain gear for the wet season, including shoes that can handle mud, and lightweight clothes such as shorts for the summer.

Eswatini Tourism website

Citizens of the following countries/territories do not require a visa to enter Eswatini for visits up to 30 days:

Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, East Timor, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Samoa, San Marino, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, Uruguay, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

If you need a visa to enter the country, you must submit the following documents to your local Eswatini embassy:

A valid passport.

Documentation indicating your intentions to visit Eswatini.

Documentation indicating the duration of your stay.

Two passport-sized photographs.

Proof that you are financially stable (bank statements, salary slips, and the like will suffice).

Air travel tickets (if you plan to enter the country by plane).

Eswatini has a small number of diplomatic missions. If your country doesn't have an Eswatini embassy, go here to see if an embassy is accredited to your country of residence. Plan and prepare accordingly if your country does not host an Eswatini embassy.

If you are in South Africa, you can apply for an Eswatini visa at the Eswatini embassy in Pretoria. It will take two days to process the visa. For more information, click here.

The only international airport in Eswatini is King Mswati III International Airport (SHO IATA) also called Sikhuphe (replacing Matsapha Airport, which lied about 1 km north of Manzini, a few kilometres west of the highway linking Manzini with Mbabane). Two airlines use this airport, flying to Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Harare and Lusaka.

There is also a small car rental station at the airport and a snack shop. A hotspot has been installed, allowing users with WiFi and Wireless LAN-equipped computers or other devices to access the internet from anywhere in the building free of charge.

Most public transport bus services arrive in Mbabane or Manzini. Smaller bus lines, or minibuses generally provide service to Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town in South Africa as well as Maputo in Mozambique.

Larger buses usually travel within the country and some stop at border crossings, where passengers must connect with an onward journey, unless a specific group booking is done to hire a big bus.

For scheduled road transport there is the Eswatini-based siyeSwatini TransMagnific, which provides transport to and from Eswatini daily. Stops include the Johannesburg airport. The TransMagnific mini-buses are customised for added comfort and safety, unlike the public transport. The size of the minibus is a function of the number of bookings for that trip, so the bus might actually turn out to be painfully uncomfortable. They require that bookings and payments be done at least a day prior to travel so that your meal can be ordered and the selection for the film can be determined for the approximately 5-hour trip. Meals, however, are arbitrarily distributed among the passengers: some get a pack whilst others don't. If the driver crashes into another vehicle on the highway, expect a four-hour delay.

When travelling into and out of South Africa to and from Eswatini, TransMagnific is generally the safest option. All mini-buses into South Africa go directly to Johannesburg bus stations, which can be dangerous.

Depending on season, the border crossings from South Africa to Eswatini can be crowded. The Ngwenya/Oshoek Border Post (on the N17/MR3 from Ermelo to Mbabane) tends to be full of people around long weekends and holidays, since it is the most popular border post. Other border posts, such as the one near Amsterdam (Nerston) and Jeppes Reef are a good alternative and easily reachable with normal 2x4s.

Mahamba border post near Piet Retief is handy when coming from south (Durban) or north-west (Johannesburg). Operations are rather quick. There is a 50 rand road toll.

There might be lengthy checks of your car and/or baggage at the South African border post when leaving Eswatini.

Coming from South Africa, check the Department of Home Affairs for border crossings to verify opening times.

Minibuses, called kombis, are prevalent, but can be confusing. Like similar modes of travel around the world such as the jitney, matatu or dolmus, these are small vans that accumulate as many travellers as possible while making their way along a general direction. In Eswatini, these vans are often driven by young men, and most have assistants who estimate and collect fares, ask your destination, and give change. You are unlikely to be over-charged.

Be prepared for crowded seats, loud radios, and sometimes reckless driving. The larger Sprinter vans are a safer and faster choice if available.

Minibuses can usually be flagged down along main roads. Larger towns usually serve as minibus hubs or connections. Major hubs include Manzini, Mbabane, Pigg's Peak, Nhlangano, Siteki, and Big Bend. Finding the correct bus can be tricky, so discreetly ask if you can't figure it out. The kombis typically have destinations written on the front bumpers. At a bus station (or bus rank), young men will yell out the destinations and are helpful in guiding you to the correct kombi; however, always double check with the passengers. Watch your belongings as such places, like all bus terminals worldwide, have disproportionally higher crime rates. Stay away from these bus ranks at night.

Travel is very difficult after dark. The only option is by taxi. If staying around Mbabane or Manzini, keep a couple of cab drivers' phone numbers on hand. Taxi drivers may overcharge.

Traffic is on the left. The road is partially in good condition and paved. There are sections in poor condition, particularly in the mountains.

The roads are used by a large number of livestock, especially cows and goats, as the roadsides are commonly used for grazing. These animals often pose a hazard to traffic. Driving speeds are very high. Driving after dark should be avoided. On the N4 road from South Africa via the Oshoek border post, avoid driving after dark due to the risk of carjacking. The road across the Eswatini border into Mozambique should also be avoided after dark for the same reason.

Eswatini is one of the world's poorest countries, with 59% of the population living below the poverty line.

Volunteering is a great way to explore and learn more about the country and its culture.

1 Nsangwini Rock Art Tour, ☏ +268 78121139. Daily. A unique and historic site above the Komati River. R50 per person. (updated Apr 2022)

2 Sibebe Rock. One of Africa’s most breathtaking geological features. Comparable to the Uluru in Australia. If you are looking for a hiking opportunity, look no further! You may hike all the way to the top of the rock. (updated Apr 2022)

The currency of Eswatini is called the lilangeni (plural: "emalangeni"), denoted by the symbol "L" for one, or "E" for more than one (ISO code: SZL). It is tied to the South African rand at par, as are the Namibian dollar, Lesotho loti and Botswana pula.

Coins of Eswatini come in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 cents, 1, 2 and 5 emalangeni. Banknotes of Eswatini come in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 emalangeni.

Shops in Eswatini usually accept and give change in both currencies indiscriminately where banknotes are concerned, but not coins. However, this is not the case in South Africa, so if you are planning to visit South Africa also, you may prefer to request rand in exchange for emalangeni at banks in Mbabane or Manzini: proof of identity is required. It is impossible to exchange your emalangeni at Johannesburg Airport or in the UK. All Swazi vendors will take rand, but no South African vendors will take emalangeni.

Kombi operators in Eswatini do not take Rand coins.

There are small stores where you can buy everything from Swazi foods to Swazi wooden sculptures and handmade bags.