Risk level

Safety and security

Demonstrations

Waves of pro-democracy protests took place throughout the country in 2021. Further demonstrations are likely, particularly in Mbabane and Manzini. Security forces have used violence to disperse crowds, resulting in casualties.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Crime

Petty crime, including robbery is common but is relatively low compared to other countries in southern Africa. Do not show signs of affluence, and ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times.

Violent crime such as armed carjacking, burglary, car theft, and mugging is uncommon, but does occur, mostly in Manzini, Mbabane and rural areas. Avoid walking in these areas after dark.

Crime rates tend to increase ahead of and during the holiday season.

Carjackings

Avoid entering or leaving Eswatini by road after dark, as there have been several armed carjackings on main roads from South Africa and Mozambique. Keep car doors locked, windows up and valuables out of sight at all times.

Terrorism

While there is no recent history of terrorism in Eswatini, there is a threat of terrorism.

Road safety

Safety risks are greater at night and in rural areas. Avoid walking alone. Conditions on national roads, including the highway between Mbabane and Manzini, are relatively good. Secondary roads are usually dirt tracks. Roaming livestock, abandoned unlit trailers, drivers avoiding cyclists and pedestrians, reckless driving, and heavy vehicles pose hazards. Drinking and driving is prevalent.

Most roads lack adequate lighting. Park in well-lit areas. Poor visibility is exacerbated by frequent fog conditions and severe storms, especially in the Highveld, close to Mbabane, and in forest regions near the South African border.

• Only travel by land during the day
• Obtain comprehensive insurance
• Carry original vehicle registration documents
• Ensure the vehicle is equipped with seat belts and a breakdown-warning triangle

There are car rental agencies at King Mswati III International Airport in Manzini.

There are 11 border entry posts with South Africa and two with Mozambique; most operate between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Consult local authorities for road conditions and schedules prior to cross-border travel.

You should view offers of roadside assistance with caution as this presents an opportunity for theft, mugging and hijackings.

Congested, urban areas can be dangerous at night. Exercise caution.

Public transportation

Avoid travelling by train and using mini-bus taxis, known as khumbis, which are often poorly maintained and overloaded.

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to some forms of harassment and verbal abuse.

Advice for women travellers

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife viewing poses risks, particularly on foot or at close range.

• Always maintain a safe distance when observing wildlife
• Only exit a vehicle when a professional guide or warden says it’s safe to do so
• Only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators
• Closely follow park regulations and wardens’ advice

Adventure tourism

Only undertake adventure sports, such as zip-lining and rock climbing, with a well-established and reputable company that has insurance.

Tour operators may not adhere to international standards. If you have any doubt concerning the safety of the installation or equipment, refrain from using them. Ensure that the recreational activities you choose are covered by your travel insurance.

If engaging in adventure tourism:

• never do so alone and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company
• buy travel insurance that includes helicopter rescue and medical evacuation
• ensure that your physical condition is good enough to meet the challenges of your activity
• ensure that you’re properly equipped and well informed about weather and other conditions that may pose a hazard
• inform a family member or friend of your itinerary
• obtain detailed information on each activity before setting out and do not venture off marked trails 

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Eswatini authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Eswatini, and have at least 2 blank pages.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 30 days
Business visa: not required
Student visa: not required

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children.

Consult the South Africa Travel Advice page if you are transiting by road through South Africa with children under the age of 18.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccinations, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may put you at higher risk of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they’re more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•  washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners.

Medical services and facilities

Medical clinics throughout the country and emergency medical response capacity is limited. Clinics in Mbabane offer good basic medical care for minor procedures. More serious cases are generally evacuated to South Africa. Medical services providers will request you to confirm your medical insurance or pay upfront before treatment.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Death penalty

Serious crimes, including murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances, may lead to the death penalty.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect large fines and extended jail sentences.

• Alcohol, drugs and travel
• Cannabis and international travel

Pornography

Possession of pornographic material is forbidden and punishable by imprisonment.

Photography

Photography of government buildings, military installations, armed forces, royal residences or official ceremonies is prohibited.

Monarchy

Actions or words that are considered offensive or insulting to the king or the royal family are illegal and may result in criminal prosecution and lengthy prison sentences.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Eswatini. Eswatini citizens who acquired another citizenship by marriage or registration, might be asked to renounce that other citizenship or lose Eswatini citizenship. If you are a citizen of Canada, but also a citizen of Eswatini, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited in Eswatini.

General information for travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Eswatini.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Eswatini by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Eswatini to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

Useful links

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

The laws of Eswatini prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. There is prevalent discrimination against the 2SLGBTQI+ community.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Eswatini.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Driving

Traffic drives on the left.

You must carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

Dress and behaviour

To avoid offending local sensitivities:

• dress conservatively
• behave discreetly
• respect religious and social traditions

Money

The currency is the Lilangeni (SZL) but the South African rand (notes only) is also accepted and widely used. Most major hotels and some restaurants accept credit cards.

Natural disasters and climate

Eswatini can experience severe weather, including thunderstorms and heavy rains. The rainy season extends from October to April. Some roads may become hazardous during this period. You should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.