Southern Africa · UN member
Eswatini: Travel Guide & Requirements
Kingdom of Eswatini · Umbuso weSwatini
Eswatini is a country in Southern Africa with its capital in Mbabane. It has a population of 1.3 million (#158 in the world) and covers 17,364 km². The official languages are English and Swazi. The currency is the Swazi lilangeni (SZL, L).
Where is Eswatini? Map of Eswatini
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa.
- Region
- Southern Africa
- Coordinates
- 26.5° S, 31.5° E
- Neighbours
- 2 — see list
- Coastline
- Landlocked
- Eswatini
- Neighbours
- Capital
Travel requirements
What you need to travel to Eswatini
- Passport
Canada's travel advice says a regular Canadian passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Eswatini and have at least 2 blank pages.
- Visa or eTA
Depends on your passport: of 198 passports, 92 need no visa, 106 need a visa from an embassy. Check yours or see Eswatini entry requirements for every passport.
- Return or onward ticket
No official requirement. Eswatini’s eVisa FAQ says eVisa applicants submit proof of travel arrangements, such as flight tickets, with the application.
- Proof of funds
No official requirement.
- Travel insurance
No official requirement. The UK Foreign Office advises making sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of medical evacuation to South Africa and repatriation.
- Vaccinations
The UK government says you must have a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Eswatini if you are coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
- Travel advice
Some caution needed — US and UK advice.
Entry rules: TravelRequirements.info — Entry Requirements Dataset (CC BY 4.0), each rule cited to an official government source. Always confirm with the airline and the official source before you travel.
Before you go
10 things to know before you travel to Eswatini
- Safety: Eswatini is generally safe for travellers, but some caution is needed: the US State Department rates Eswatini Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
- Best time to go: May and August — when daytime highs in Mbabane are around 25°C.
- Money: the Swazi lilangeni (SZL) — 1 US dollar is about 16.6040 SZL.
- Plugs: type M, 230 V, 50 Hz — standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
- Emergency numbers: Police 999, Ambulance 977, Fire 933.
- Language: English and Swazi are official.
- Driving: on the left — speed limits are 100 km/h in built-up areas and 100 km/h outside built-up areas.
- Time zone: UTC+2 in Mbabane.
- Capital: Mbabane. About 1.3 million people live in Eswatini.
- Outdoors: 1 national park.
Key facts
Eswatini at a glance
Languages spoken: English (official, used for government business), siSwati (official)
Geography & history
About Eswatini
A Swazi kingdom was founded in the mid-18th century and ruled by a series of kings, including MSWATI II, a 19th century ruler whose name was adopted for the country and its predominant ethnic group. European countries defined the kingdom’s modern borders during the late-19th century, and Swaziland (as it became known) was administered as a UK high commission territory from 1903 until its independence in 1968. A new constitution that came into effect in 2005 included provisions for a more independent parliament and judiciary, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear, and the kingdom is still considered an absolute monarchy. King MSWATI III renamed the country from Swaziland …
Read the full history
A Swazi kingdom was founded in the mid-18th century and ruled by a series of kings, including MSWATI II, a 19th century ruler whose name was adopted for the country and its predominant ethnic group. European countries defined the kingdom’s modern borders during the late-19th century, and Swaziland (as it became known) was administered as a UK high commission territory from 1903 until its independence in 1968. A new constitution that came into effect in 2005 included provisions for a more independent parliament and judiciary, but the legal status of political parties remains unclear, and the kingdom is still considered an absolute monarchy. King MSWATI III renamed the country from Swaziland to Eswatini in 2018 to reflect the name most commonly used by its citizens. In 2021, MSWATI III used security forces to suppress prodemocracy protests. A national dialogue and reconciliation process agreed to in the wake of violence has not materialized. In November 2023, King MSWATI III appointed a new prime minister following peaceful national elections. Despite its classification as a lower-middle income country, Eswatini suffers from severe poverty, corruption, and high unemployment. Eswatini has the world's highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, although recent years have shown marked declines in new infections. Eswatini is the only country in Africa that recognizes Taiwan.
Location
Southern Africa, between Mozambique and South Africa
Climate
varies from tropical to near temperate
Terrain
mostly mountains and hills; some moderately sloping plains
Highest point
Emlembe 1,862 m
Natural resources
asbestos, coal, clay, cassiterite, hydropower, forests, small gold and diamond deposits, quarry stone, and talc
Natural hazards
drought
National symbols
lion, elephant
Driving
Speed limits & road rules in Eswatini
The default speed limits in Eswatini are 100 km/h in built-up areas and 100 km/h outside built-up areas. The legal alcohol limit for drivers is 0.5‰. Posted signs always take priority over these defaults.
- 100100 km/hBuilt-up areasTowns and citiesWHO data (2017)
- 100100 km/hOutside built-up areasCountry roadsWHO data (2017)
- International Driving PermitNot a party to the IDP conventionsCheck with the embassy whether your licence is accepted
- Driving sideDrive on the leftOvertake on the right
- Alcohol limit0.5‰ blood alcohol (0.05% BAC)
- Seat beltsRequired by law
- Child seatsNo national child-restraint law
- Motorcycle helmetsRequired for riders
- Road deaths (2021)24.7 per 100,000 peopleHigher than most countries (median 12.4)
Speed limits: OpenStreetMap wiki — Default speed limits (CC BY-SA 2.0) and WHO. Road-safety laws: WHO Global Health Observatory. Compare speed limits and alcohol limits by country. Defaults for cars; local signs, weather and vehicle type can lower them.
Safety
Is Eswatini safe to visit?
Eswatini is generally safe for travellers, but some caution is needed: the US State Department rates Eswatini Level 2 (“Exercise Increased Caution”), and the UK Foreign Office has no warnings against travel there.
US State Department
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)Latest update: New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).
Updated 10 Dec 2025 · Full travel advice
Sources: US Department of State travel advisories (public domain) and UK FCDO foreign travel advice (contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0). Checked daily. Advice can change quickly — always read the official page before you travel.
Weather
Best time to visit Eswatini
The best time to visit Eswatini is May and August, when daytime highs in Mbabane are around 25°C. April, June to July and September are also a good time to go. December is the warmest month (30°C by day), July the coldest (7°C at night), and January the wettest with about 137 mm of rain.
- Jan29°C17°C
- Feb29°C17°C
- Mar28°C16°C
- Apr26°C13°C
- May25°C10°C
- Jun22°C7°C
- Jul22°C7°C
- Aug25°C9°C
- Sep28°C11°C
- Oct29°C13°C
- Nov29°C15°C
- Dec30°C16°C
Best time Good Less ideal
Before you go
Plugs, voltage & emergency numbers in Eswatini
Plugs & sockets
230 V, 50 Hz · Standard 220–240 V: devices from the US or Japan (110–120 V) need a converter unless they are dual voltage (100–240 V).
Emergency numbers
Save the local numbers before you travel — 112 or 911 may not connect here. All countries →
Sources: Wikipedia — Mains electricity by country and List of emergency telephone numbers (CC BY-SA 4.0).
National parks
1 national park in Eswatini
- 300 km² protected
- oldest from 1967
Largest: Hlane Royal National Park
Currency · 26 October 2026
Swazi lilangeni exchange rates today
Eswatini uses the Swazi lilangeni (SZL, L). One US dollar buys 16.6040 SZL; over the last 30 days the SZL has lost 1.8% against the dollar.
What other currencies cost in SZL
Currency converter
Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0), 26 Oct 2026. Banks and exchange offices add a margin.
World rankings
Where Eswatini ranks
How Eswatini compares with the rest of the world — open any card for the full ranking.
Airports
Airports in Eswatini
16 airports and airfields — 1 large, 1 medium and 13 small, plus 1 heliports. 1 have scheduled passenger flights.
Borders
Neighbouring countries
Eswatini borders 2 countries along 546 km of land borders. It is landlocked.
People
Population & society
Religion
Largest cities: Mbabane (68,000)
Economy
Economy
Main industries
soft drink concentrates, coal, forestry, sugar processing, textiles, and apparel
Export partners
South Africa 61%, Ireland 4%, Mozambique 4%, Kenya 4%, Nigeria 3% (2023)
Top exports
scented mixtures, raw sugar, industrial acids/oils/alcohols, garments, wood (2023)
Travel tools
Handy before every trip to Eswatini
Next public holiday
Christmas Day — Friday, 25 December 2026. Then St. Stephen's Day (26 Dec).
Swati passport
Ranked #113: 44 countries visa-free, 25 with visa on arrival, 4 with an eTA and 35 with an eVisa.
Swati passport photo
Exact size, head position and background for Eswatini's passport and visa photos — make one free with AI checks.
Calling Eswatini
Dial +268 before the local number. Internet domain .sz.
Climate footprint
1.0 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024 — 0.84 t per person.
Entry requirements
Visa rules for every passport visiting Eswatini: visa-free stays, eVisas, visas on arrival and documents to bring.
News
Latest travel news about Eswatini
Eswatini and Taiwan Weigh Pact Opening More Jobs for Emaswati
King Mswati III and Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te are considering a formal employment agreement that would let Emaswati work in Taiwan outside edu…
Ireland adds visa rules for Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia from 15 June 2026
Ireland's Minister for Migration Colm Brophy said nationals of Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia will need visas to travel to Ireland …
Poland's Consular Outreach in Port Elizabeth for Passport Applications
The Polish Embassy will conduct a consular outreach in Port Elizabeth on October 9-10, 2026, focusing on passport applications. Registration is requi…
Frequently asked questions about Eswatini
What do I need to travel to Eswatini?
How long must my passport be valid for Eswatini?
Where is Eswatini?
What is Eswatini known for?
What is the capital of Eswatini?
What language is spoken in Eswatini?
What currency does Eswatini use?
What is the calling code of Eswatini?
Which countries border Eswatini?
How strong is the Swati passport?
What is the speed limit in Eswatini?
Is Eswatini safe to visit?
When is the best time to visit Eswatini?
What plug type does Eswatini use?
How many airports does Eswatini have?
Sources: CIA World Factbook (public domain); World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0); names, languages and currencies: mledoze/countries (ODbL); flag: flag-icons (MIT); coat of arms: Wikimedia Commons (file page); exchange rates: Daily reference rates from the open-source currency-api (CC0); airports: OurAirports.