Eswatini

Police resources are varied throughout Eswatini.

Petty crime

Petty crime is common in major towns, particularly Mbabane and Manzini. This includes pickpocketing and robbery.

Take care to protect your personal belongings.

Be particularly careful in major towns.

Violent crime

Violent crime, including armed assault and carjacking, can occur.

Safety risks are greater at night, including on roads and in rural areas.

There have been reports of car-jacking along major routes from South Africa and Mozambique, especially at night.

To protect yourself from violent crime:

• avoid walking alone, particularly at night and in isolated areas
• keep car doors locked, windows up and valuables out of sight, including when moving
• avoid driving into and out of Eswatini at night due to the threat of carjacking

Due to the high rate of HIV/AIDS, seek medical help straight away if you're a victim of violent crime, especially sexual assault.

Demonstrations and protests

Demonstrations occur periodically and can lead to violent clashes between protestors and security forces.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• avoid protests and demonstrations 
• monitor the news for planned or possible unrest
• avoid affected areas
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorism

Eswatini can experience severe weather including thunderstorms and heavy rains.

Severe weather can affect your travel plans.

If you're visiting an area that has recently had severe weather:

• confirm your plans with your tour operator or travel provider
• ask local tour operators and hotels if accommodation and key services have been affected

To protect yourself if a natural disaster or severe weather occurs:

• keep your passport in a safe, waterproof place
• closely monitor local news and other sources, like the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities
• keep in contact with your friends and family

Thunderstorms and heavy rains

Expect severe thunderstorms with lightning and heavy rains during wet summer months, October to April.

If you are travelling at this time notwithstanding the Australian Government's travel ban for all Australians, you need to make sure you have comprehensive travel insurance, and confirm what your policy covers in terms of health and travel disruptions. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation: the Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Eswatini. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medication

COVID-19

Local authorities have confirmed COVID-19 is in Eswatini.

More information:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak (WHO)
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Smartraveller)

HIV/AIDS

The rate of HIV/AIDS infection is very high.

Take precautions if taking part in activities that put you at risk of infection.

Insect-borne diseases

Malaria occurs year-round in most areas except in Mbabane and Highveld (the Highlands).

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• sleep under treated mosquito nets
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
• consider taking medicine to prevent malaria

See a doctor if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases occur. This includes:

• cholera
• hepatitis
• bilharzia (schistosomiasis)
• tuberculosis
• rabies

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
• don't swim in fresh water to avoid contact with waterborne diseases

To reduce your risk of rabies, don't go near dogs and other mammals. If you're bitten or scratched, seek medical help straight away.

See a doctor if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

More information:

• Infectious diseases
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) (Department of Health)
• Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak (WHO)

Medical facilities

The standard of medical facilities is low. There can be shortages of basic medicine.

Hospitals will ask you to confirm your insurance cover or pay up-front before treatment.

If you're seriously ill or injured, you could need treatment at a more suitable place. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Ask police or prison officials to contact the Australian High Commission in South Africa if you're arrested or detained.

Police resources are varied throughout Eswatini.

Death penalty

Serious offences, including murder and treason, carry the death penalty. Corporal punishment exists, including for children.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include mandatory prison sentences.

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other crimes

In Eswatini, it's illegal to:

• possess pornography
• take photos of government buildings, military installations, armed forces, royal residences or official ceremonies
• engage in same-sex relationships

More information:

• Advice for LGBTI travellers

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Eswatini doesn't recognise dual nationality.

If you're a dual national, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

More information:

• Dual nationals

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.

Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.

Visitor visas

Tourists can enter Eswatini for up to 30 days without a visa.

For other types of visits, you'll need to get a visa in advance.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

More information:

• Eswatini Ministry of Home Affairs
• Eswatini High Commission in South Africa

COVID-19

Eswatini has announced a 20-day partial lockdown, which includes closing borders to the movement of people for 20 days from 27 March 2020. There are no international flights during this period.

If you can't or don't want to leave, follow the advice of local authorities, make arrangements for an extended stay and minimise your risk of exposure to COVID-19. Stay in touch with family and friends so they know you're safe and well. If you need urgent consular assistance call +61 2 6261 3305. 

Yellow fever vaccination

You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Eswatini if you arrive within 6 days of visiting a country with yellow fever.

More information:

• Countries with a risk of yellow fever (PDF 74KB)

Travel via South Africa

Due to COVID-19, all airlines are reducing capacity and cancelling flights to and from South Africa. Contact your travel provider for details. Special rules apply if you're going to or from Eswatini through South Africa, including transiting.

South Africa has specific documentation rules for children and doesn't accept provisional travel documents. It also requires travellers to carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate.

More information:

• Travel advice for South Africa

LGBTI information

Officials may refuse you entry to Eswatini if you try to enter as a same-sex married couple.

More information:

• LGBTI travellers

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

The Lilangeni (SZL) is the currency of Eswatini.

Declare all amounts over SZL15,000 on arrival. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

You can't convert SZL into another currency.

South African Rand notes are widely accepted.

Larger cities and tourist facilities accept international credit cards. ATMs are widely available. Contact your bank to ensure that your cards will work in Eswatini.

Driving permit

To drive in Eswatini, you need both:

• a valid Australian driver's licence and
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

You must get your IDP before leaving Australia.

Road travel

You're 4 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident in Eswatini than in Australia.

Driving hazards include:

• lack of street lighting
• poorly maintained vehicles and roads
• pedestrians and livestock on roads
• poor local driving practices
• speeding drivers

If you intend to drive in Eswatini:

• check you have the right insurance cover
• find out about local traffic laws and practices
• be alert to possible hazards
• be aware of animals and pedestrians straying onto roads
• avoid travelling alone in remote rural areas

Don't travel into or out of Eswatini by road at night due to the threat of carjacking. See Safety

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check with your travel insurer whether your policy covers you when using a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Use only registered taxis. Arrange them through your hotel if possible.

Avoid hailing taxis on the street, as they are poorly maintained.

Public transport

Avoid travel by bus where possible. Buses are often over-loaded and poorly maintained.

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, you should contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

Fire and rescue services

Call 999.

Medical emergencies

Call 999.

Police

Call 999.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Eswatini. You can get consular help from the Australian High Commission in South Africa.

Australian High Commission, Pretoria

292 Orient Street

Arcadia

Pretoria 0083, Republic of South Africa

Phone: +27 12 423 6000

Fax: +27 12 342 8442

Website: southafrica.highcommission.gov.au

Email: consular.pretoria@dfat.gov.au

Facebook: Australian High Commission in South Africa

Twitter: @AuHCSouthAfrica

Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia