NEED TO KNOW – GENERAL INFORMATION AT A GLANCE
Climate: Temperate to sub-tropical. Warm to hot summers and cool winters in the highvelt. Mild winters and hot, humid summers in the midlevelt and lowvelt. The rainy season is during the summer months, generally between October and February.
Time Zone: Greenwich meantime plus two hours.
Language: English and siSwati are the official languages. Most Swazis speak English, particulary in the main centres and tourist areas.
Money Matters: The Lilangeni (plural Emalangeni) is on a par with the South African Rand. Both currencies may be used in Swaziland. Most international credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and shopping centres. Travellers cheques and cash may be exchanged at banks.
Tipping: About 10% of your restaurant bill and about E5.00 per suitcase for porters. Tips are also welcome at garages.
Safety: Keep a record of your traveler cheque numbers, passport details and flight tickets separately from the original documents. Utilise hotel safe deposit boxes for all valuables. Take normal precautions against pickpockets and petty criminals when walking. When driving, keep doors locked and valuables such as mobile phones and handbags out of sight. Swaziland is generally a safe country for travelers.
Health: It is advisable to take precautions against malaria, especially in the summer months and along the eastern border. Yellow fever and cholera vaccinations are only required if a visitor have come from or traveled though and endemic area.
Transport: International flights to Johannesburg and Durban link with air service to Matsapha International Airport. Quality car hire is readily available. Taxis do not have meters so it is advisable to establish the fare when setting off. Public transport is by bus.
Electricity: Electricity
220.240 volt AC
Geography, Topography & Climate
With the exception of desert, all the physical features of Africa may be found within Swaziland’s small area of 17,000 square kilometres. The country is divided into four topographical areas from west to east, varying from 1800 to 400 metres above sea level: the mountainous highveld to the west; the subtropical middleveld comprising lush, fertile valleys and a warm climate, which is ideal for crop cultivation; the lowveld, which forms 40% of the country’s area, is also subtropical and although prone to drought, sugar cane is widely and successfully grown there on a commercial basis. Much of this region is typical African bush and an abundance of indigenous wild life, birds and flora may be found here. The mountainous Lubombo area borders with Mozambique.
Swaziland has one of the most pleasant climates in the world and due to the country’s four distinct regions visitors will experience significant differences in temperature within a small area. The Highveld has a temperate climate of warm, wet summers and dry winters, when the temperature can rise quite sharply during the day but with cold nights. Snowfalls occasionally occur on the higher ground. The other three regions are sub-tropical and also have wet summers and dry winters. Here summer temperatures can become very high, while the winters are mild and very pleasant.
Bird spotting is excellent all year round, especially during the summer months of November to March when the migratory species have returned.
Clothing
Dress is generally casual by day and casual to smart in the evenings, depending on the venue. Shorts, t-shirts and sundresses are acceptable. Pack jerseys for cooler evenings and coats may be necessary in the Highveld during winter. Visitors should take sports and swim wear and for walkers, a good pair of suitable shoes is essential.
Visas & Immigration Requirements
All visitors to Swaziland require a valid passport or travel document. Citizens of the United Kingdom and most British Commonwealth countries, including African states, do not require visas. Although more countries are to become visa-free, it is advisable not to proceed to Swaziland without establishing your country's status with your travel agent. A standard visa is valid for 30 days.
The import of arms and ammunitions is prohibited, unless prior permission has been obtained from the Firearms Licensing Board, P.O. Box 49, Mbabane.
Getting to Swaziland
Matsapha International Airport (referred to as Manzini) is located at the main industrial area, 8 km. from Manzini and 25 from Mbabane, the country’s administrative capital. The national airline is Swaziland Airlink, which operates regular services to and from Johannesburg, connecting with intercontinental flights from all over the world. An airport tax of E50.00 is payable when departing from Matsapha Airport.
Access by road is through 13 border posts, two with Mozambique and 11 with South Africa. All are all open seven days a week and operate at varying hours.
Border Hours
Bulembu/Josefdal 08.00 – 16.00
Gege/Bothashoop 08.00 – 16.00
Lavumisa/Golela 07.00 – 22.00
Lomahasha/Namaacha 07.00 – 20.00
Lundzi/Waverley 07.00 – 16.00
Mahamba 07.00 – 22.00
Mananga 08.00 – 18.00
Matsamo/Jeppe’s Reef 08.00 – 20.00
Mhlumeni/Goba 07.00 - 20.00
Ngwenya/Oshoek 07.00 – 22.00
Salitje/Onverwacht 08.00 – 18.00
Sandlane/Nerston 08.00 – 18.00
Sicunusa/Houdkop 08.00 – 18.00
At present it is necessary to complete formalities at both sides of the borders. A road tax of E50.00 is payable for non-Swaziland registered vehicles.
Fuel
Garages are generally open from 07h00 to 18h00 although some operate a 24-hour service, particularly in the main tourist areas.
Driving in Swaziland
Traffic travels on the left hand side of the road. Foreign driving licences are valid provided they show a photograph of the holder. Visitors should be aware that livestock, particularly cattle and goats, tend to stray onto the roads. It is for good reason that cattle are often referred to as Swazi traffic lights! The maximum speed limit is 120 kph on the highways, 80 kph on national roads, and 60 kph in urban areas, unless otherwise marked.
Road Distances
Mbabane to Cape Town 1662 km Mbabane to Maputo 236 km
Mbabane to Durban 635 km Mbabane to Maseru 736 km
Mbabane to Johannesburg 371 km Mbabane to Gaberone 718 km
Communications
Land telephones are available throughout the country. There is only one mobile service provider but coverage is good, particularly in the urban areas and in between the main towns. Internet services are widely available. These include Real Image Internet Cafes at the New Mall, Mbabane and the Bhunu Mall, Manzini. Ziggy's Internet Cafe is at the Malandela's Centre near Malkerns.
Public Holidays 2008/9
Aug/Sept Umhlanga (Reed) Dance
6 September: Independence Day
25 December: Christmas Day
26 December: Boxing Day
Dec/Jan: Incwala Day
1 January: New Years Day
2-5 April Easter Holiday
19 April King's Birthday
25 April: National Flag Day
1 May Workers Day
13 May Ascension Day
22 July Public Holiday
Some siSwati Phrases: Hello - Sawubona
Thank you - Ngiyabonga (I), Siyabonga (we)
Goodbye - Hamba kahle (go well)
" - Sala kahle (stay well)
How are you ? - Kunjani?
I am well - Ngikhona
Yes - Yebo
No - Cha
Banking
The four commercial banks operate from 09h00 to 15h30 on weekdays, with the exception of Wednesdays when they close at 15h00, and from 09h00 to 11h30 on Saturdays. Travelers' cheques may be exchanged at banks and hotels and all the major credit cards are accepted. Most of the banks have automatic teller machines. International credit cards are accepted at most tourist outlets and shops.
Commercial Hours
Commercial hours are generally 08h30 to 17h00 on weekdays and 08h30 to 13h00 on Saturdays. Many supermarkets are open on Sundays, as are video hire outlets. Liquor may not be sold at retail outlets on Sundays.
Post Offices
Most postal services are available throughout the country and are open from 08h30 to 16h00 on weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays.
Religion
Swaziland is predominantly Christian, with Zionists being the largest denomination. There are mosques for the Muslim faith but at present, no official place of worship for people of the Jewish religion.
Hospitals Manzini Clinic: Tel. 505-7430/8
Mkhaya Clinic, Manzini: Tel 505-5339
Raleigh Fitkin Hospital, Manzini: Tel. 505-2211
Medisun Clinic, Ezulwini: Tel. 416-2800
Mbabane Clinic: Tel. 404-2423
Mbabane Government Hospital: Tel. 404-2111
Nhlangano Health Care Centre: Tel. 207-8421
Piggs Peak Government Hospital: Tel. 437-1111
Siteki Good Shepherd Hospital: Tel. 343-4133
Chemists, Doctors and Opticians
There are pharmacists in all the main towns and shopping malls and general practitioners and dentists are readily available. Visioncare Optometrists have branches at Mbabane (The Mall), Manzini (The Hub) and Piggs Peak.
Fire & Emergency Services Tel. 933
Police Emergency: Tel. 999
Tourism Offices Ngwenya/Oshoek Border Tel. 442 4206
Swazi Plaza Tel: 404 2531
Mantenga Craft Centre Tel. 416 2180
Ziggy's Internet Café & Tourist Office, Malandela's Centre,
Malkerns. Tel. 528 3423
The following brochures are published by the Swaziland Tourism Authority and are available free at the Tourism Offices and at Matsapha Airport.
Accommodation in Swaziland
Guide to Guest Houses in Swaziland
Tourism in the Community:- Community-Operated Projects
Birding in Swaziland
Golf Courses of Swaziland
Nsangwini Rock Art
Hiking in Swaziland
Mahamba Gorge Lodge
Mahamba Trails
Mantenga Trails
Mlawula and Shewula Trails
Mlilwane Trails
Ngwempisi Trails
Sibebe Trails