- Destinations
- Africa
- Swaziland
Swaziland
The tiny mountainous Kingdom of Swaziland, sandwiched between
South Africa and Mozambique, has been dubbed the 'Switzerland of
Africa'. African culture and traditions flourish here alongside
some modern luxury hotels and excellent wildlife reserves.
Swaziland is the smallest country in the southern hemisphere,
but it has a big heart despite its depressed economy. The capital,
Mbabane, lies at the northern end of the lush Ezulwini Valley: a
small, unpretentious town that caters well for tourists. Among the
country's main attractions are Mlilwane, a well-established game
sanctuary; the magnificent Mantenga Falls; the casino resort of
Piggs Peak; and the annual ceremony of the reed dances at the Royal
Kraal in Lebombo on the country's eastern border.
Swaziland's monarchy is one of only three remaining in Africa.
The country is ruled by King Mswati III and his family, who preside
over traditional ceremonies like the Reed Dance and First Fruits
Ceremony. Swazi life is focused on tradition and centres on the
homestead, many of which are polygamous and continue to observe
traditional rites and customs.
Swaziland is also known for its exquisite arts and crafts and
its breathtaking scenery, especially in the western highlands,
which rise to more than 6,000 feet (1,829m), riven with abundant
rivers, waterfalls and forested gorges.
Information & Facts
Business
In Swaziland business etiquette is quite informal, however
lightweight suits are recommended for meetings. Entertaining and
meetings often take place outdoors due to a temperate climate.
Appointments should be made in advance and business cards carried
for identification. Handshakes are the normal form of greeting for
both men and women. Meetings are not restricted to business matters
only and may take a while over prolonged lunches. Business hours
are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at
lunch.
Climate
Conditions in Swaziland vary according to altitude, with the
higher areas being generally cloudy, misty and several degrees
cooler than the rest of the country. The mountainous region in the
west, where most tourists spend their time, is humid and wet, the
rain falling in occasional violent storms. In the middle and
lowland regions conditions are drier, the climate ranging from
sub-tropical to tropical as one moves east. The rainy season is
generally between October and May and is warm and wet, while cooler
and drier conditions prevail from June to September.
Communications
The international dialling code for Swaziland is +268 and the
outgoing code 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027
for South Africa). The city code (0)67 is used for Villaverde de
Guadealimar only. The country is covered by a GSM 900 mobile
network, and an Internet service provider is active. Post offices
open weekdays from 8am to 5pm, and Saturdays 8am to 11am. Public
telephones are well distributed through the towns and villages.
Customs
Homosexuality is illegal.
Duty Free
Travellers to Swaziland do not have to pay duty on 400
cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g tobacco; 1 bottle alcoholic beverage
(up to 0.75 litres) and 284ml of perfume. For goods re-imported to
the country, travellers must complete a DA65 or NEP-form. Married
couples travelling together are allowed free import for one
person.
Electricity
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. The plug type
used is a 15-amp round, three-pin plug as used in South
Africa.
Health
For health purposes, travellers arriving in Swaziland within six
days of having been in a yellow fever infected area require a
vaccination certificate. Hepatitis A, rabies, polio and typhoid
vaccinations are recommended, as are malaria prevention measures
for those visiting the lowland areas. Bilharzia exists in some
rivers, and cholera outbreaks occur. There is an extremely high
HIV/AIDS infection rate and all precautions should be taken. Mains
water in hotels and towns is safe to drink and food, including
dairy products, presents no risk. Medical facilities are poor in
the country, but the tourist hotels offer private services for
minor problems. Serious cases can be transported to South Africa
for treatment. Medical insurance is recommended.
Language
The official languages are Siswati and
English.
Money
The official currency is the Lilangeni (SZL), plural Emalangeni,
which is equal to 100 cents. The South African Rand is also
accepted as legal tender (notes only) and is pegged to the
Lilangeni (L1=R1). Visitors should exchange any Emalangeni they
have left back into their own currency before leaving the country.
Travellers cheques are widely accepted and are best taken in US
Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling, to avoid high commission.
American Express, Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Banks
are generally open Monday to Friday, and some banks are open on
Saturdays. Visa ATM machines are available in the main towns.
Passport Visa
All visitors require a passport, tickets and documents for
return or onward travel, and sufficient funds to cover their stay.
Travellers wishing to stay longer than two months may obtain a
Temporary Residence Permit from the Chief Immigration Officer at
Mbabane prior to expiration of visa-free travel. It is highly
recommended that passports have at least six months validity
remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel
destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to
those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Safety
The crime rate is low and most visits are trouble free. It is
wise, however, to take precautions against theft, and avoid
travelling by road at night as tehre is a danger of hijacking.
Time
Tipping
Service charges are not normally included in bills, but tips of
10% are customary.