Swaziland is named after the Swazi people and it is also known as the Kingdom
of Swaziland. Traditional ceremonies that will give foreigners a
fascinating glimpse into the sacred heritage of the Swazi's, include
the iNcwala first fruit ceremonies and the Umhlanga Reed Dance.
Another excellent way to experience the culture is through the local
art and craft markets, one of the Kingdom's greatest attractions
apart from the nature reserves and casinos.
CAPITAL
Mbabane
CURRENCY
1 Lilangeni (plural: Emalangeni) = 100 cents. The South African Rand is
accepted as legal tender, but not coins. Amex and MasterCard are
widely accepted. Visa has more limited use. Traveller's cheques are
widely accepted with Pounds Sterling recommended.
CUSTOMS
Duty Free Allowances:
- 200 Emalangeni' worth of gifts
- 400 cigarettes
- 50 cigars
- 250 g of tobacco
- 1 bottle (750 ml) of alcoholic beverages
- 50 ml of perfume
- 250 ml of eau de toilette
SPECIAL NOTES
-Married couples travelling together are allowed free import for one person only.
(NB! For full information, please contact the nearest Embassy of Botswana.)
ELECTRICITY
220/230 volts, 50 Hz. Plugs are 3-pin round.
HEALTH
A yellow fever certificate is required from travellers coming from
infected areas. Visitors are advised to take pre-travel precautions
against hepatitis A, polio, typhoid and malaria (risk exists
throughout the year in all lowveld areas e.g. Big Bend, Mhlume,
Simunye and Tshaneni). Other health concerns include respiratory
problems (aggravated by the wet, murky weather), cholera (the country
is officially considered infected), influenza (risk is May - Oct),
limited medical facilities and Aids.
HOURS
Banking Hours 8.30am - 2.30 pm Mon - Fri & 8.30 am - 11 am Sat
Office Hours 8am - 5 pm Mon-Fri
Shopping Hours 7.30am / 8.30 am - 5 pm Mon - Fri; some supermarkets open longer; until 1 pm on Sat
LANGUAGE
Official languages are English and Siswati. Most locals are bilingual.
POPULATION
1.1 Million
LITERACY
81.6%
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
New Years' Day (1 Jan); Commonwealth Day (9 Mar); Good Friday (9 Apr);
Easter Monday (12 Apr); King's Anniversary (19 Apr); National Flag
Day (25 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); Ascension Day (20 May); Somhlolo
Day (6 Sep); United Nations Day (24 Oct); Christmas Day (25 Dec);
Boxing Day (26 Dec)
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS
Religion is Christian with Animist (belief that inanimate objects have souls)
minority. Culture and tradition play a large part in people's lives.
Ask permission (and pay tips) to photograph people and apply for
permission to photograph traditional ceremonies. The photographing of
the Royal Palace, Royal family, uniformed police, army personnel,
army vehicles and aircraft are prohibited.
TIME DIFFERENCE
GMT+2
TIPPING
No service charges are included and tipping is expected, 10 percent is recommended.
GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
There are four regions in the country and the weather varies between them
with warm to hot summers and cool to mild, although sometimes cold
winters with snow on the high ground. Rainfall occurs mostly in the
summer months between September and February.
GETTING THERE
Drive east on the N4 from Johannesburg or Pretoria.
