Citizens or passport holders of the following countries do not require a visa to visit Swaziland:

Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Channel Islands, Chile, Cook Island, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Faeroe Islands, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, India*, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lesotho,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Monstserrat, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niuc, Norfolk Islands, Northern Marion Island, Norway, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Papua New Guinea, Peoples Republic of China, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Republic of Korea**, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia and Montenegro, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea**, Spain, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Timor Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of America (USA), Uruguay, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Virgin Islands (USA), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Samoa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

* note: although India appeared on the gazetted list supplied to the Swaziland tourism industry as a country exempt from tourism visa requirements, it seems that Swaziland Immigration authorities are still insisting on visas being applied for. Indian citizens are requested to make a follow-up enquiry to ascertain up-to-date information.

** South Koreans have not required visas for many years, however an error on a recent government circulated list has caused some confusion. Swazi.travel has ascertained that visas are definitely not required.

This list shows those Countries for which nationals do require visas in order to visit Swaziland:

Afghanistan,  Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Angola, Antarctica, Armenia, Aruba, Azerbaijan, Belorussia, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Columbia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote D'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Georgia, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Cost, Jordan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Krygyzstan, Laisser, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Macao, Macedonia, Mali, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mexico, Micronesia, Maldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn,  Rwanda, Saint Helena, Saint Kitts, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Somalia,  Sri Lanka, Sudan, Surinam, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Togo, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Our swazi.travel visa guide to Swaziland appears to be the first time that this information on visa requiring / non-requiring countries is being published on the internet. Users of this information are cautioned however, as this list is an "unofficial list" due to the fact that the relevant authorities have not updated their own list. Our list is compiled from the "official list", together with our knowledge of what has been agreed upon by the Swaziland Cabinet of Ministers who have signed off updates in recent times. Countries that have moved from requiring visas to not requiring visa are: Andorra, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greenland, India, Madagascar, and Monoca. Some of these updates are possibly not yet showing in border post systems, but the Swaziland Tourism Authority is working to sort out this anomoly. 

ANOTHER NOTE: Some publications and websites have incorrectly stated that citizens of those countries requiring visas can get them on arrival at the Swazi border. This is totally incorrect and has never been the case. Citizens of visa-requiring countries must apply in advance at Swaziland Embassies or High Commissions.

Swaziland has a High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa and Maputo, Mozambique.

The international dialling code for Swaziland is +268. Thereafter use the number required. There are no area codes of 0+'s used in Swaziland. Please note changes to numbers occurring in 2010 as listed further below.

To call internationally from within the country, dial 00 followed by the country code and phone number. Previously calls to South Africa were prefixed with 07+ and to Mozambique 06+, however as of the 1st Oct 2009 call calls out of Swaziland require 00+

Coin and card operated public payphones are available throughout most of the country, however much more useful is to buy a local SIM card for your mobile. Global roaming agreements exist with a limited number of international carriers. Check in advance with your relevant provider. The mobile network in Swaziland is MTN Swaziland, which has an impressive footprint covering almost every corner of the country.

Swaziland does have a number of active internet service providers, and internet cafes can be found in the major cities, towns, and in some hotels.

The postal service is run by a state-owned company (Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications - SPTC). Post offices can be found in all cities and towns and are usually open from 8.30am-4.30pm during the week, as well as 8am-11am on Saturdays.

Changes to telephone numbers in Swaziland (1st April 2010)

As of the 1st April 2010 all mobile/cell numbers in Swaziland will have a prefix of 7+. Previously all MTN cell numbers in Swaziland would have started with 6 eg: 6020261. The number will now be 76020261.

Future changes (date to be advised)

Also due to change are landline numbers - however the implementation date is yet to be confirmed.

All landline numbers will be prefixed with a 2+.

So 22xx-xxxx for numbers in the Shiselwini district

and 23xx-xxxx for numbers in the Lubombo region

24xx-xxxx for numbers in Hhohho district

and 25xx-xxxx for Manzini numbers.

The unit of currency is the lilangeni (e - plural is emalangeni), which is divided into 100 cents. It has the same value as the South African rand, which is also generally accepted throughout the country.

Nedbank, First National Bank and Standard Bank (all linked to South Africa) have branches throughout Swaziland. Branch times are usually 08:30 - 15:30, Monday to Friday and on Saturdays 08:30 - 11:00. Traveller's cheques can be cashed in banks and most hotels. Tipping is generally expected, and is to the tune of 10 percent.

To check the current exchange rate, take a look at OANDA.com - The Currency Site.

Away from home, but still wanting to keep fit ?  Join a local Swaziland running or mountain-biking time trial and rub shoulders with local fitness enthusiasts. 

Swazi Slojo's 5km Running Time Trial

Every Tuesday night. Starting outside the Ezulwini Sun Hotel.

17h00 winter, 17h30 summer.

No fees or membership required. Just come join in.

Swazi Trails MTB Mid-weeker

18.2km off-road MTB route in the Ezulwini-Lobamba area

17h15/17h30outside Quatermaines Restaurant at The Gables in Ezulwini.

Every Wednesday night from October to April.

Helmets compulsory. Unmarked route. An odometer-based route description is available at the start. Flasing light advised for early and late months in season.

No fees or payments - all welcome to join in.

Follow the link to view a current list of public holidays in Swaziland.

Alternatively use the following guide to Swazi Public Holidays:

2010

1 January -  New Year's Day. 
2 April - Good Friday. 
5 April -  Easter Monday.
19 April -  Birthday of King Mswati III.
25 April - National Flag Day.
1 May - Labour Day. 
21 May - Ascension Day.
22 July - Birthday of the Late King Sobhuza.
Late August/early September* - Umhlanga, Reed Dance Day.
6 September - Somhlolo Day (Independence Day).
Late December/early January* - Incwala Ceremony.
25 December - Christmas Day.
26 December -  Boxing Day.

Note

You must ensure your passport is valid for at least one month past your intended date of departure. Your passport will be stamped on your arrival in Swaziland.

Nationals of most countries (including United Kingdom, USA, Australia, Canada, and EU countries) do not require a visa to visit Swaziland.  A tourist or business traveller may visit Swaziland for up to 30 days, with an extension of a further 30 days possible through application at the Ministry of Home Affairs. If staying longer than 60 days, then an application for a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) is required.

The Ministry of Home Affairs can be found in Mbabane:

Postal Address: 

Ministry of Home Affairs
P. O. Box 432
Mbabane
Swaziland

Physical Address: 

Ministry of Home Affairs
Inter-Ministerial Office Block
Ministry of Home Affairs &  Ministry of Justice Building
Mhlambanyatsi Road
Mbabane

Telephone Number: 

(+268) 404 2941/5
(+268) 4045880/1

FAX Number:  (+268) 5514060

Email: fakudzee@gov.sz

See our Swaziland list of visa requiring countries and visa excempt countries further below under "Visas"

Note: please that requirements do change from time to time and that it is your responsibility to ensure you check all Swaziland visa and passport information, as well as entry requirements with your relevant consulate prior to travel. Our consultants at Swazi.travel are available to assist when needed.

US citizens that need to renew, add pages, change name, or just get a new US passport, can Apply for a New US Passport here.

Swaziland has the unfortunate and sad label as the country with the world's highest rate of HIV infection, recently passing Botswana. It goes without saying that you should not have unprotected sex anywhere, but especially not in Swaziland.

It also has the surprising claim of having one of the highest rates of lightning strikes per capita in the world, so take care during storms!

There have been instances of malaria and bilharzias in some parts of Swaziland, but be sure to see your doctor before traveling to ensure the most current and up to date health information.

Swaziland Tourist Information can be accessed at the following local offices:

Ngwenya Tourist Information Office

Ngwenya border post - main buiding

tel #: +268 4424206

office hours: mon-thurs 08h00-16h45, Fri 08h00 - 16h00, Sat 09h00 - 13h00

Mbabane Tourist  Information Office

Cooper Centre office #2, Sozisa Road.

tel #: +268 4042531

office hours: mon-thurs 08h00-16h45 Fri 08h00 - 16h00 Sat 09h00 - 13h00 

Ezulwini Tourist Information Office

Mantenga Craft & Lifestyle Centre

tel #: +268 4162180

office hours: 08h00-17h00 7 days a week

After hours assistance: +268 6020261

Swaziland runs off a 230V/ 50Hz system with power supplied by the state-owned Swaziland Electricity Compnay (SEC). Most power is sourced from the South African grid, however agreements do exist with Mozambique for power supply as well.

A small proportion of Swaziland's electrity is generated from hydro power sources at Maguga Dam, Ezulwini, Dwaleni and Magaduza.

Population: 953 000 people (2007 census) - population growth stagnant
Total Area: 17,363 square kilometres
Capital: Mbabane
Time Zone: Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +2 hours

To view the current time in Mbabane, visit TimeAndDate.com.