Eswatini is a kingdom in southern Africa. Covering an area of 17,364 square kilometres, it is home to around one million inhabitants. The capital of Eswatini is Mbabane.
With around 95,000 inhabitants, Mbabane is the country’s second-largest city after Manzini. The official languages are English and Siswati. Around 70 percent of the population adhere to Christian-influenced African religions, while about 25 percent are Christians, including Catholics and Protestants.
Sights in Eswatini
Among Eswatini’s attractions are its protected areas, where visitors can discover a variety of wildlife in a safe habitat. Notable reserves include the Mlilwane Reserve, the Hlane Protected Area in the northeast of Eswatini, and the Malolotsha Protected Area in the north. Near the Malolotsha Protected Area lies the town of Piggs Peak. The region around this town, with its many waterfalls, rivers and rolling hills, is one of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.
For tourists, however, the Ezulwini Valley is one of Eswatini’s standout attractions. Located close to the capital Mbabane, the valley features a casino, numerous hotels, a large golf course and a hot mineral spring. In Nhlangano, too, there are many attractions, including gorges with waterfalls and impressive rock paintings by the country’s San people.
Eswatini – Location and Climate
This landlocked kingdom in southern Africa is Africa’s second-smallest country, bordering only Mozambique to the east and South Africa to the west.
Eswatini has a predominantly temperate to hot subtropical and tropical climate, heavily influenced by its altitude. Around the capital Mbabane, temperatures range from 19 to 25 °C year-round. The coolest month is June, with daytime highs around 19 °C and nighttime lows around 4 °C. The warmest months are December to February, with average daytime temperatures of 25 °C and nighttime lows down to 15 °C. This is also the wettest time of year. However, travel to Eswatini is possible year-round.
Getting There and Entry Requirements
The international airport of Eswatini lies about five kilometres from the city centre of Manzini, the country’s economic hub. There are no direct flights from Germany; flights typically involve a connection and take around 15 hours in total. After landing, taxis and airport buses are available for onward travel to hotels. Alternatively, visitors can enter Eswatini by bus or car, as road links to South Africa are good; two border roads also connect to Mozambique.
German travellers must present a valid passport upon entry, which must remain valid for at least six months beyond the date of arrival. All tourists also require a visa, which is issued on arrival for German citizens. If arriving from a yellow-fever risk area, proof of yellow-fever vaccination is mandatory; this is not required for direct flights from Germany.
