Other Name: Ngwane (in Swazi)

Capital: Mbabane (population 50 000; note that Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital)

Size: 17 364 sq km / 6 704 sq miles (the smallest country in the Southern hemisphere; it's also the last absolute monarchy with the world's youngest king)

Population: 925 000

Ethnic Groups: Swazi, Zulu, Shangaan-Tsonga, European

Languages: siSwati, English

Local time: GMT +2

System: metric

Driving: On the left hand side of the road; an international driving licence is required by all except South African citizens.

Swaziland is bordered by Mozambique in the east and by South Africa on its other three sides. Its hilly terrain can be divided into three different geographical regions, defined by their altitude, which are stretching out like belts from north to south: the Highveld in the west with an average altitude of 1 200m / 4 000 ft and the capital Mbabane; the Middleveld at an average of 700 m / 2 300 ft where most of the people live and the country's other main city, Manzini, is located; and the Lowveld in the east, roughly 250 m / 820 ft high, which mainly consists of bush land and the Lubombo Mountains which form the border with Mozambique. 

The climate in Swaziland varies according to the region and its respective altitude. From the Highveld to the Lowveld, the climate changes from temperate to tropical. Swaziland sees its rainy season during the summer months of November to March with the Highveld area receiving the most rain, mostly in the form of heavy thunderstorms.

On entering, citizens of most Commonwealth countries, most European countries and the US will receive a free entry permit, which allows you to stay for 60 days. The passport needs to be valid for at least six more months upon entering. Children's ID's need to contain a picture

Diplomatic Embassies and High Commissions of Swaziland
 

European Union 118 Ave Winston Churchill 1180 Brussels Belgium .	Tel. ++32 2 3 47 47 71 Fax ++32 2 3 47 46 23 . . .
Honorary Consuls for Germany in Berlin and Duesseldorf .
United Kingdom 20 Buckingham Gate London SW1E 6LB United Kingdom .	Tel. ++44 20 7630 6611 Fax ++44 20 7630 6564 . . .
United States Suite 3M 3400 International Dr Washington DC 20008 United States .	Tel. ++1 202 362 6683 . . . . .

Diplomatic Embassies and High Commissions in Swaziland
 

Germany Lilunga House, 3rd Floor Gilfillan St Mbabane Swaziland .	Tel. ++268 404 3174 . . . .
United Kingdom Lilunga House. 2nd Floor Gilfillan St Mbabane Swaziland Postal Address: Private Bag, Mbabane, Swaziland .	Tel. ++268 404 2581, ++268 404 2582, ++268 404 2583, ++268 404 2584 Fax ++268 404 2585  enquiries.mbabane@fco.gov.uk . . . .
United States Central Bank Building Warner St Mbabane Swaziland .	Tel. ++268 404 6441 . . . .

1 Lilangeni (SZL) = 100 Cents; plural Emalangeni

The Lilangeni is tied to the South African Rand meaning the exchange rate is fixed at 1:1. The South African Rand is used as a parallel currency in Swaziland, which saves you the trouble of exchanging if you are coming from / going to South Africa. Traveller cheques are exchanged by several banks. Credit cards are widely accepted, although not all ATM's accept them for cash withdrawals. The major banks in Swaziland are Central Bank of Swaziland, Standard Bank, and First National Bank.

Banks are usually open Monday to Friday from 8.30 to 14.30 and Saturdays from 8.30 to 11.00 

Country code: ++268. City code Mbabane: 40. City code Manzini: 50
International access code from Swaziland: 00; note that it is 07 to call South Africa from Swaziland
Internet code: .sz

Other important numbers: 

Police: 999
Ambulance: 999

Post offices usually are open Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 16.00 and Saturdays from 8.00 to 11.00.

Electricity

Swaziland uses 220 V / 230 V / 50 Hz.
The plug is a 'South African' plug.

Air

Matsapha Airport is located north of Manzini. Swazi Airlink and South African Airways both offer flights to / from Johannesburg. Swazi Express has connections to / from Durban and Maputo. Royal Swazi Airlines flies from Manzini to Johannesburg, Harare, Lusaka, Dar es Salaam, Maseru, Nairobi, Maputo and Cape Town.
Please note that upon departure from Matsapha Airport all passengers must pay an airport tax of 20 Emalangeni.

Overland

Driving

The main border crossings are: 

From South Africa: Oshoek – Ngwenya; Waverley – Lunatsi; Nerston – Sandlane; Houdkop – Sicunusa; Bothashoop – Gege; Mahamba; Onverwacht – Salitje; Golela – Lavumisa; Bordergate – Mananga; Jeppe's Reef – Matsamo and Jossefdal – Bulembu

From Mozambique: Namaacha – Lomahasha

The general speed limit is 80 km/h (50 mph) and 60 km/h (37 mph) in built-up areas. All vehicles entering Swaziland are subject to a road tax of 5 Emalangeni. If you want to bring a rental car from South Africa into the country, you will need a written permission of the rental agency. 

Road distances are as follows: 
 

	Mbabane	Manzini
Johannesburg (South Africa)	371 km / 230 miles .	411 km / 255 miles .
Durban  (South Africa)	635 km / 395 miles .	595 km / 370 miles .
Gaborone (Botswana)	718 km / 446 miles .	758 km / 471 miles .
Maputo (Mozambique)	236 km / 147 miles .	196 km / 122 miles .
Maseru (Lesotho)	736 km / 457 miles .	696 km / 432 miles .
Richards Bay (South Africa)	343 km / 213 miles .	303 km / 188 miles .

Bus

The Baz Bus runs between Johannesburg and Durban via Mbabane and Manzini. Mbabane is well connected by minibus with Johannesburg, Nelspruit and Piet Retief. From Manzini, you can catch minibuses to Durban and also to Maputo (in Mozambique). 

Train

The Maputo – Durban railway line runs through Swaziland. The South African railway linking Richards Bay with Johannesburg stops near the Swaziland border at Piet Retief and the Maputo – Nelspruit line has a connection to Barberton. From both, Piet Retief and Barberton, you can catch minibuses into Swaziland. 

Map of Swaziland

Provided map not to scale and for orientation purpose only.

Click for larger version