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The Kingdom of Eswatini is one of the last kingdoms left in the world so it is well worth a visit. In comparison to other countries in Southern Africa, Eswatini is the most established and counts among the most peaceful too.
The local population are warm and friendly and welcome all visitors.
There are interesting places to see in the country and it is a much safer option than neighbouring South Africa, making security the least of a visitor’s worries.
The country sports amazing landscapes as well as magnificently kept game parks with many species of animals to view and enjoy. The rich tradition and culture of the country can be experienced and enjoyed at several places and events. No visit to Eswatini is complete without such a show of experience.
Eswatini is an English speaking country which makes it much easier to communicate with the locals. On the negative side, poverty is a major problem in Eswatini, and they are also one of the countries with the biggest AIDS problem.
A visitor to the country may experience petty crime and even robberies as a result of the poverty. Visitors should thus ensure that their personal belongings, as well as passports and other documents, are always safe.
The country can experience severe weather conditions, including thunderstorms and heavy rains. The rainy season is from October to April. Some of the roads could become hazardous during this period, hence visitors should keep an eye on weather reports before attempting any journey.
During holiday peak seasons visiting a night-club, pub or bar, caution should be taken to be aware of your surroundings and not to overindulge in alcohol. This could make you a target for opportunistic criminals.
Crime occurs mostly at night, so avoid going to township areas after dark. Stay close to your accommodation when you are in a city centre. Avoid going out alone and use reputable taxis which is recommended by your travel agent or by your hotel or lodge.
Although the country has strict laws, incidents of violent crime and carjacking may still occur. This may happen mostly in Mbabane, Manzini and some isolated rural areas. Avoid walking or being alone after dark in these places.
Demonstrations and protest action can sometimes occur in Eswatini. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation. Visitors are advised to stay away from where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place.
To stay safe, visitors should follow the instructions of local authorities and monitor the local media for information about ongoing demonstrations.
Eswatini, one of the last kingdoms in the world has many wildlife game reserves to visit. Remember however that wildlife viewing also poses a risk especially when viewed on foot or getting too close to wild animals.
Always keep a safe distance when viewing wildlife and only exit a game drive vehicle when a professional guide tells you it is safe to do so. Always abide by the park and wardens’ advice.
If you are a more adventurous traveller and want to partake in adventure sports such as rock climbing, zip climbing and river rafting, make sure you make use a reputable company. Also make sure that the recreational activities you choose are covered by your travel insurance.
Avoid using public rail transport or the many minibus taxis. They are mostly poorly maintained and overloaded. Traffic accidents are one of the highest dangers in Swaziland.
If you opt to rent a car on your journey, it is advised to get a four-wheel drive for travels in rural areas. The main roads are in a good condition and the traffic drives on the left side of the road. It is important to always keep your international driving permit with you.
On rural roads roaming livestock may pose hazards to drivers and since most roads lack adequate lighting, it is advised to rather travel in daytime. Poor visibility is aggravated by frequent fog conditions and severe storms, especially in the forest regions near the South African border.
Visitors should obtain comprehensive insurance and remember to keep original vehicle registration documents with them when travelling. Ensure the vehicle is equipped with seat belts and a breakdown-warning triangle.
Keep doors locked and windows rolled up while driving as well. Carjacking can be a threat in the cities and in the country so be highly aware when stopping at intersections. Keep a safe distance between you and the car in front so you can make a quick getaway in the event of a crime.
Adhere to the following rules of the road and drive defensively. Do not assume that other drivers will do what they are supposed to do.
• Never overtake on a blind rise or where there is a solid white line.
• Always check your blind spot before changing lanes, even when the road seems deserted.
• Stay alert and keep an eye on what’s happening around you.
• Always be prepared for emergencies. Carry an emergency kit with items that will come in handy if you’re stranded on the side of the road or involved in a vehicle accident.
• Watch out for potentially dangerous drivers and pedestrians walking along the road.
• Be on the lookout for obstructions like potholes or animals which may stray into the road especially at night. It is best to avoid driving at night.
Photography of government buildings, military installations, armed forces, royal residences or official ceremonies is prohibited. However, the scenic sights and wildlife offers a wonderful opportunity to improve photographic skills. Remember to take some insect repellent and extra batteries as you do not want to lose that priceless shot. Make sure you do not wander off too far from your tour group.
Keep a garbage bag or anything else you can use to cover your equipment in the event of unexpected downpours.
To avoid offending the locals, dress conservatively and behave discreetly. Respect local religious and social traditions. The country has strict laws and still uses the death penalty which can be imposed in the case of serious crimes like murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances.
Actions or words that are considered offensive or insulting to the king or the royal family are illegal and may result in criminal prosecution and lengthy prison sentences.
Possession of pornographic material is forbidden and punishable by imprisonment.
Homosexuality is illegal in Eswatini and as a result there is a zero tolerance towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Eswatini. Most locals do not accept that homosexuality exists so same sex couples visiting the country should exercise extreme discretion in public and when making hotel bookings.
Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect large fines and extended jail sentences. Do not offer to carry a package from an unknown of suspicious source in your luggage as you risk being used as a drug mule.
The importation of, among other things, the following goods into Eswatini is completely prohibited. It is illegal to be found in possession of prohibited goods and may result in seizure and prosecution. These include:
• Narcotic, habit-forming drugs and related substances in any form.
• Military firearms, ammunition and explosives
• Indecent and obscene material such as pornographic books, magazines, films, videos, DVDs and software
The following items may be imported into Eswatini duty free: 200 cigarettes and 20 cigars and 250g of tobacco, two litres of wine and one litre of spirits.
If your passport gets lost, file a police report or notification of lost property at the local police station immediately. Request your own copy of the report or investigation document. You will need it later when you apply for a new passport or file an insurance claim, or if your passport ends up in the wrong hands.
Medical clinics throughout the country and emergency medical response capacity is limited. Clinics in Mbabane offer good basic medical care for minor procedures, but more serious cases are generally evacuated to South Africa. Medical services providers will request you to confirm your medical insurance or pay upfront before treatment. Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.
When you are planning your trip to Eswatini, the World Health Organization recommends that you get the following vaccines:
Typhoid: Spread through contaminated water or food
Hepatitis A: Spread through contaminated water or food
Hepatitis B: Spread through contaminated bodily fluids (needles, intercourse, etc)
Influenza: Spread through airborne droplets
Rabies: Spread through infected animals
Yellow Fever: Spread through mosquito bites
Cholera: Spread through contaminated water or food
Avoid mosquito bites to prevent malaria in areas with a risk of malaria. The disease is existent in the eastern areas close to Mozambique and South Africa, including the whole Lebombo district and the eastern half of Hhohho, Manzini, and Shiselweni districts. Malaria is a life-threatening disease. It is transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. Infected mosquitoes carry the Plasmodium parasite and when this mosquito bites you, the parasite is released into your bloodstream.
Symptoms can be flu-like or cause shaking chills that can range from moderate to severe and a high fever, profuse sweating, headaches, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, muscle pain and bloody stools may occur.
It is advised to use bottled water and avoid drinking tap water in Eswatini. Thoroughly cooked hot foods can be eaten as it will mean most infections can be avoided. Raw fruits can be eaten only if they have an unbroken skin and are peeled. Raw vegetables and salads should be avoided due to possible contamination.
If food has been left out of a refrigerator for longer than an hour especially eggs, chicken and dairy do not consume them.
Do not touch stray, domestic and wild animals in Eswatini. Dogs, bats, and other mammals in Eswatini may be infected with rabies, so the CDC recommends a vaccine against rabies. Tourists involved in outdoor and other activities (such as camping, hiking, biking, adventure travel, and caving) may put them at risk for animal bites.
Eswatini has the highest prevalence of HIV as percentage of its population, currently this stands at 27,2 percent. Avoid the risk by avoiding new sexual encounters while on holiday. If you cannot abstain, condoms can provide some protection.
It is probably not a good idea for women to travel on their own to Eswatini, but if you do, at least be vigilant in order to avoid any horrible surprises. Avoid walking in remote, rural areas as this is where most attacks have happened before.
Avoid walking at night, especially in poorly lit areas and keep to crowds during the day as a potential attacker may be deterred by others’ presence.
There are reports that an average of 61 women are raped every month in the country. An unwanted situation can happen regardless how you are dressed, but if you wear too revealing outfits your risk can become higher.
Children welcome in Eswatini as long as they remain respectful to others and are well-behaved. Make sure you have a first-aid kit for normal and minor bruises.
Avoid travelling in rural areas at night with children. Make sure you never leave your children unattended. It is recommended that you take another person with if you need someone to babysit.
MoAfrika Tours is a leading tour operator in South Africa that offers an outstanding selection of tours to Eswatini We have a close association with the most reputable tour operators in Eswatini who make safety a priority.
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MoAfrika tours and the Kruger Safari Co. are destination management companies (DMC) and are not entities of the South African National Parks Board (SANparks).