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Travel information and tips on Swaziland including passport information, accommodations, transportation to and in Swaziland, attractions and things to see and do, restaurant suggestions, tours, and much more. "Getting Away With Jim Bruner" - your first stop for travel information on Swaziland! Click on any one of the following below for specific information on getting around Swaziland; attractions, museums, tours, and other places to go and things to see and do; some ideas for accommodations and dining; and some of my favorite things in Swaziland.
General
Information for Swaziland |
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Here
is a quick overview on Swaziland
Passports and Visas
When to Visit
Money Matters
Health Information
Time and Climate
Electricity and Weights and Measures
Travel Warning
Click here for language
helps, dictionaries,
electronic translators,
language software and other helps for learning
a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the
country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip
more. Jim.
Passports and
Visas
Although you will need a passport, most visitors will not need a visa, apart
from some nationalists of the European Union who can get them free at the
airport. Vaccination certificates are required if you have recently been in a
yellow fever area.
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Passport Visa Express specializes in obtaining Passports for United States Citizens who wish to travel internationally within the next 30 days. We work directly with the U.S. Passport Agency assisting you in expediting your passport application in as fast as the same day! Our passport consultants have many years of direct experience working with the Passport Agency. |
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Currency and
Money Matters
The local currency is the Swazi lilangeni (plural emilangeni)
and while not as inexpensive as some of the northern African nations, Swaziland
still is a good value for the traveler. If you don't mind sleeping in hostels or
caravan parks, eating cheap, and skipping the safaris, you could get by an as
little as US$25-35 a day. But, what's the point. If you are going to Africa, you
must go on at least one safari and Swaziland is one of the cheapest places in
southern Africa to go searching for wildlife. For more creature comforts, such
as a private room, especially an air conditioned hotel, more selective meals,
and such; you should expect to pay around US$75. And, if you want to stay
in the best hotels and don't mind what you spend on food and the like, even
though the hotels seem to be pretty plain, even the more expensive ones, expect
to spend US$120 and upwards. Typical expenses for meals and accommodations
would be: Meals -- Budget: US$3-5; Mid-price range: US$5-15; Top-end: US$15 and upwards.
Lodging -- Budget: US$4-15; Mid-price range: US$15-35; Top-end: US$35 and upwards.
The South African rand is accepted everywhere and is on a fixed, one-to-one exchange rate with the lilangeni. You should have no difficulties changing major currencies. There's no need to change rand if you're coming from South Africa, although you'll be given small change in shops in emilangeni. Several banks change travelers checks, and ATMs have made an appearance and accept several, but not all, credit cards.
Tipping is as much the norm as it is in South Africa, and around 10-15% is usual. Bargaining isn't unknown but you won't find many situations where you can do it.
Currency Exchange - Get your currency needs managed in advance! Many airports, railroad stations, bus depots, and other points of entry have no currency exchange. When currency exchange is available in airports, lines can be long and rates can be "sky high". These long waits and usurious fees can be a nightmare. Order in advance from All Foreign Currency right online. It's fast, easy, and you save time and money! The can also provide you with Travelers' checks, bank drafts, and transfers. U.S. dollars are not accepted everywhere and rates can be atrocious! Current Exchange Rate: Check Today's Exchange Rate
Health Risks
The major health risks in Swaziland are from malaria
and bilharzias. If you need medical
care while you are away, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not
accept payment through your insurance company and that you will therefore to pay
in full for your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for
reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit
card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local
embassy or representative. For compensation, you must be treated by licensed
medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation
and receipts. It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel
insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country. Visit
the Getting Away
Health
and Safety Tips for Travelers
page for additional information about insurance.
When to
Visit
Winter, which is basically from June to August, may be the best time to visit.
You'll get cooler temperatures (can be quite cold at night) in the eastern
lowlands and warmer, drier weather in the highlands. If you want to see the two
most important Swazi cultural ceremonies, go in August or September for the
Umhlanga (Reed) Dance, or in late December or early January for the Incwala ("first
fruits") ceremony.
Time and Climate
The time is GMT/UTC plus 2 hours.
Electricity
and Weights and Measures
The electricity is 220/240V, 50Hz.
Be sure to take your adaptor and converter kit. Find the converter you will need in the
Getting Away
Travel Store. Additionally, you will find just about anything and
everything you will need when you travel. Across the state, country, or
to a destination on the other side of the world, you'll find what you
need in the Getting
Away Travel Store!
They are on the metric system.
Travel Warning
Travel Warnings are issued
to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or
unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to
assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or
consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below
meet those criteria. Additionally, the State Department issues
Country Specific Information for every
country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions,
crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the
location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. Check with the U.S. State Department for
Travel Warnings, Consular Information Sheets & Public
Announcements.
Getting
To and Around in Swaziland
Getting There
Air may be one of the best ways to get here and Swazi
Airlink operates out of Matsapha International Airport, north of Manzini, and
flies to Johannesburg, Maputo, Harare, Lusaka, Dar es Salaam and Nairobi.
Schedules and tickets often refer to the airport as Manzini. There are about a
dozen border posts with South Africa and one with Mozambique. The smaller ones
close about 4pm or 6pm so you will want to check locally to make sure the
crossing is open before you begin your journey. There is a bus service from
Mbabane to Maputo in Mozambique, and buses ply the roads between Mbabane, Durban
and Capetown and Jo'burg to Mlilwane. Minibus taxis also run between Jo'burg and
Mbabane, but for most other destinations in Swaziland you'll have to take a
minibus taxi to the border and then another from there to the nearest town, then
change again. Be sure to check locally so you can save as much time as possible.
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Getting Around
Swaziland has a pretty good system of buses that run on regular routes along
with minibus taxis running shorter routes at slightly higher prices than the
buses. Most roads are good but there are rough ones out in the bush. Away from
the main population centers the main dangers are people and animals on the
road.
Cities, Towns and Areas of Swaziland
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Lobamba Located in the heart of the Ezulwini Valley ( Swaziland's royal valley) is Lobamba, home to the royals' Embo State Palace. Visit the palace and see the interesting Incwala ceremony and the Uhmlanga dance. The National Museum is located here and offers displays on Swazi culture. There is also an interesting traditional beehive village close to the museum. Next to the museum is the parliament, which is sometimes open to the public. Across the road from the museum is the King Sobhuza II Memorial, the most revered of the Swazi kings. You will also want to make the trip to see Mantenga Falls. Be sure to ask locally for some help and don't try to visit the falls on your own. You should also visit the nearby Swazi Cultural Village with more authentic beehive huts and cultural displays. Lobamba is about ten miles south Mbabane by road and is accessible by bus or minibus taxi.
Malolotja Nature Reserve |
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Manzini
Manzini is the industrial center of Swaziland. The market
on Thursday and Friday mornings is definitely worth a visit, but otherwise, that
is about it. Manzini is 20 miles south-east of
Mbabane and is best reached by bus or car.
Mbabane
Sitting right at the northern end of the Ezulwini Valley, Mbabane has long been
a provision stop for trips further into the bush. Apart from that, there is
little here to entice the general traveler. The main attractions in
town are the Mall, the New Mall and Allister Miller St. There is a large modern
shopping complex just went of the town center called Swazi Plaza which has a
pretty good selection of shops. Mbabane Market, at the southern end of
Allister Miller St, is worth a visit if you are on the lookout for authentic crafts
at some pretty good prices. There is a pretty good selection of accommodations
here that range from the caravan park (about 5 miles from town in the Ezulwini Valley) through
the church hostel and a few hotels and inns. There are also a few restaurants
that serve Portuguese
food and a few that serve Italian and Indian food. You can get good and relatively cheap African
food in the town center area and there are
several steak houses there also.
Mkhaya Game Reserve
Located on the site of a former farm, this
area has always been popular with hunters for its wildlife. The
reserve's boast is that you are more likely to see wild black rhinos here than
anywhere else in Africa. You should also be able to spot elephants, white rhinos, and roan
and sable antelopes. Wildlife-viewing drives and guided walking safaris are available
and this reserve is a bit less expensive making it a good travel value, or at
least a better value than many of the private reserves
near Kruger in South Africa. Mkhaya Game Reserve is off the Manzini-Big Bend
Road and about 40 miles south-east by bus or car from Mbabane.
Mlawula Nature Reserve
Bordering Mozambique in the far east of Swaziland, this 45,000-acre reserve is undeveloped
and therefore not visited very much. This is really too bad as the reserve offers
a
beautiful, and sometimes harsh, countryside in the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains.
Botany lovers will enjoy looking for the many rare
species of succulents, cycads and climbers grow among the ironwood forests.
Animal watchers will try and spot the
shy spotted hyenas and leopards that reside here. you can also find hippos, samango monkeys,
waterbucks, wildebeests, crocodiles, antelopes, zebras and more than 350 species
of bird. There are also at least three species of deadly snakes that slither
around here and the infamous bilharzias parasites that hang around the waterways among
the crocs so hikers and trekkers will want to be on guard.
Walking trails are still being established and archaeological trails are planned
as stone age artifacts have been found in the area. The Mlawula is reached via a good paved
road east from Mbabane and about 5 miles north of Siteki by bus or car.
Mlilwane was the first wildlife sanctuary established in Swaziland. The sanctuary, which is privately run, lies on the border of the high and middle veld, an interesting and important transition zone for flora and fauna. Here you will find zebras, giraffes, white rhinos, hippos and crocodiles along with over 200 species of birds. The dominate feature of the park is Nyonyane Peak where you can enjoy (?) some great walks, if you be careful. You can also rent horses and mountain bikes, or watch the hippos from the Hippo Haunt restaurant. White-water rafting is at its best near the reserve on the Great Usutu River. The Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is only a few miles south of Mbabane and you can get there by taxi or bus from Mbabane.
Siteki
Although Siteki is really quite out of the way, the town does offer a cool place
to stay in the nearby Lebombo
Mountains. The town takes its name from Mbandzeni, great-grandfather of the present
king, who gave his troops permission to marry here. In fact, the town's name means
"marrying place." Siteki is best known for its Inyanga and Sangoma School,
a government school to train healers and diviners. You can visit the school if you
arrange it in advance through Swazi Tourism in Mbabane. Not far from Siteki is
the Muti-Muti Nature Reserve used extensively by practitioners at the
Inyanga and Sangoma School for the variety of herbs used in their work. You can reach
Siteki by a pretty good paved road east from Manzini which is about 35 miles
away by car or bus.
Things
to See and Do in Swaziland
The best way to see Swaziland is by
trekking or hiking. Several of the national parks offer excellent trails, some
of which are hundreds of years old. Horse riding is another way to explore
inaccessible parts of the country. White-water rafting, mountain bike riding and
abseiling are growing in the popularity stakes.
Malolotja Nature Reserve
This is the place for bird watchers and the Malolotia Nature Reserve, located In the hilly north-west,
has a mix of highveld and
middleveld, and is home to more than 280 bird species, some of them rare. Taking
its name from Swaziland's highest waterfall (there are a total of 27 falls in
the park), Malolotja protects almost 45,000-acres of pristine
wilderness. Wildflowers and rare plants, such as the woolly
barberton and the kaapschehoop cycad, and protea forests around the numerous
streams attract visitors. The park is home to baboons, vervet monkeys, warthogs, leopards,
lynxes,
jackals and numerous antelope species. Zebras, hartebeests and wildebeests have
recently been reintroduced to the area and can also sometimes be found. The
reserve is a great area for hiking. There are many marked trails with
conveniently placed campgrounds with limited facilities. Malolotja
also has the oldest known mine in the world, which was in production more
than 40,000 years ago. You can reach Malolotja, which is about 12 miles north-west of
Mbabane, by bus or car.
Mkhaya Game Reserve
Located on the site of a former farm, this
area has always been popular with hunters for its wildlife. The
reserve's boast is that you are more likely to see wild black rhinos here than
anywhere else in Africa. You should also be able to spot elephants, white rhinos, and roan
and sable antelopes. Wildlife-viewing drives and guided walking safaris are available
and this reserve is a bit less expensive making it a good travel value, or at
least a better value than many of the private reserves
near Kruger in South Africa. Mkhaya Game Reserve is off the Manzini-Big Bend
Road and about 40 miles south-east by bus or car from Mbabane.
Mlawula Nature Reserve
Bordering Mozambique in the far east of Swaziland, this 45,000-acre reserve is undeveloped
and therefore not visited very much. This is really too bad as the reserve offers
a
beautiful, and sometimes harsh, countryside in the foothills of the Lebombo Mountains.
Botany lovers will enjoy looking for the many rare
species of succulents, cycads and climbers grow among the ironwood forests.
Animal watchers will try and spot the
shy spotted hyenas and leopards that reside here. you can also find hippos, samango monkeys,
waterbucks, wildebeests, crocodiles, antelopes, zebras and more than 350 species
of bird. There are also at least three species of deadly snakes that slither
around here and the infamous bilharzias parasites that hang around the waterways among
the crocs so hikers and trekkers will want to be on guard.
Walking trails are still being established and archaeological trails are planned
as stone age artifacts have been found in the area. The Mlawula is reached via a good paved
road east from Mbabane and about 5 miles north of Siteki by bus or car.
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Mlilwane was the first wildlife sanctuary established in Swaziland. The
sanctuary, which is
privately run, lies on the border of the high and middle veld, an interesting
and
important transition zone for flora and fauna. Here you will find
zebras, giraffes, white rhinos, hippos and crocodiles along with over 200 species of birds.
The dominate feature of the park is Nyonyane Peak where you can enjoy (?) some
great walks, if you be careful. You can also rent horses and mountain bikes, or watch the hippos
from the Hippo Haunt restaurant. White-water rafting is at its best near the reserve on
the Great Usutu River. The Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary is only a few miles south of
Mbabane and you can get there by taxi or bus from Mbabane.
| Jenman African Safaris has one primary focus -- Safari Tours! They offer smaller, more personal and highly interactive safaris and have built a solid reputation for safe, comfortable, reliable and fun-filled tours to Southern Africa’s most spectacular destinations. Selected destinations in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Nambia, Zambia, South Africa and Swaziland. |
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Suggestions
for Dining in Swaziland
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Some
Favorites in Swaziland
Coming Soon. In the mean time, if you have information you believe I should add
to this section, please contact me.
mailto:jimbruner@gettingaway.com
Books and Other Travel Resources for Swaziland
For the best time when you travel you must be informed. One of the things I do is spend quite a bit of time with good guide books on the destinations to which I intend to travel. Perhaps the following might help you find the perfect book to help you research your trip to Africa or a guidebook on Africa that is just for you.
I normally use Fodor's guides, such as
Fodor's South Africa
CLICK
HERE for Fodor's South Africa
CLICK
HERE for Africa on a Shoestring
CLICK
HERE for Insight Guides Morocco
CLICK
HERE for Zimbabwe & Botswana, The Rough Guide
CLICK
HERE for West Africa, The Rough Guide
Click here for language helps, dictionaries, electronic translators, language software and other helps for learning a foreign language. Being able to speak at least some of the language in the country you are visiting will help you have a better time and enjoy your trip more. Jim.
Links for Swaziland
Jenman African
Safaris has one primary focus -- Safari Tours! They offer smaller, more
personal and highly interactive safaris and have built a solid reputation for
safe, comfortable, reliable and fun-filled tours to Southern Africa’s most
spectacular destinations. Selected destinations in Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique,
Nambia, Zambia, South Africa and Swaziland.
