Swaziland

The Kingdom of Swaziland is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa , bordering to the north, west and south with South Africa , and to the eastern side with Mozambique.

Travel Insurance for Swaziland:
Area: World Wide exc. USA / Canada *

Know Before You Go:
FCO Country Advice for Swaziland
 

Swaziland contains four main geographical regions, determined by altitude: The Highveld runs along the western border of the country and is very scenic, with rivers, waterfalls, and gorges between the mountains. The capital, Mbabane , is situated in the Highveld area. The Middleveld is the most populated area, with Manzini being the main commercial city, and it also has less rainfall. The Lowveld consists of mostly African bush terrain and is less populated.

The country is diverse with varying landscapes and terrains, from the mountainous areas by the Mozambique border to rainforest areas and rivers to the NW. The capital is Mbabane and other sizeable towns include Siteki, Manzini and Lobamba.

The inhabitants are mostly Swazi (about 97 percent) with the remainder divided between Zulu, Europeans and refugees from Mozambique . The main religion is Christianity with Roman Catholic, Anglican, as well as Muslim and Jewish communities, and other religions. English is the official language used for business, with Swati the official country language. Independence was granted by the British in 1968. There are good roads connecting Swaziland with Johannesburg .

Most visitors to Swaziland enjoy visiting the game parks and nature reserves to view the wide array of animals which include: zebra, giraffe, crocodile, hippo, monkeys and baboons, to name just a few. Private cars are available, or open tours in landrovers. The best time to visit for viewing the big game is during their winter season.

There is so much for nature lovers and bird watchers, with an incredible array of flora and fauna throughout the country. Birdwatchers are recommended to visit during the country’s summer months due to migratory patterns of some species.

There is a great selection shopping with arts and crafts to be found for souvenirs, including: wood carvings, tapestries, potteries, fabrics, glass and candles.

Visitors to Swaziland go there mostly to experience its rich culture and centurie-old traditions and rituals. Activities for the adventurous include: Fishing, white water rafting, fishing, golfing, horse riding, hiking. There are also natural thermal springs, spas, casinos, and good restaurants offering all kinds of international cuisine.

Facts
King: Mswati III
Prime Minister: Themba Dlamini
Capital: Mbabane - administrative; Lobamba – royal and legislative.
Population: 1,162,000 approx.
Time Zone: UTC +2
Currency: Lilangeni (SZL)
Country Dialling Code: 268

Weather / Climate
The climate in Swaziland varies from tropical to near temperate depending mainly upon the elevation. However, Swaziland is a year-round visitor destination, and enjoys lots of sun. Sept-March is considered the dry season, with temperatures ranging from 18-20C. From April-August the average temps are from 12-18C. The temperatures can vary drastically, depending upon the region: The Highveld area is more temperate, while the Lowveld temperatures can get uncomfortably hot, reaching to the high 40Cs during summer months.

Health
Travel Insurance for travel to Swaziland

Links
The World Fact Book - Swaziland

Disclaimer: While we have tried to ensure this information is correct we do not accept responsibility for any inaccuracy.
* Inclusion on this guide does not guarantee travel insurance is available in this country at any given time. Travel Insurance is not available in countries for which the FCO advise against travel to.
** The FCO advised against travel to countries marked thus at the time of writing. Travel Insurance is not available in areas where the FCO advise against travel to.