Getting There
Eswatini (Swaziland) is dwarfed by its giant neighbour, South Africa, but with Mbabane being only a few hours from Johannesburg, it does benefit from the good access into that international hub. Access into Eswatini from Johannesburg can be by road or air.
After some periods of restricted travel during the pandemic, as of November 2022, ALL COVID-related restrictions and requirements for entry in to Eswatini have been removed. Eswatini is full open to all visitors once again. Click here for the November 2022 notice on Cross-border travel from the Eswatini Acting Prime Minister.
International Rules & Regulations on travelling to Eswatini
The following table lists the most common countries of origin for international visitors to Eswatini. The table includes a link to their official government website detailing the current rules & regulations on travelling to Eswatini, with particular reference to COVID-19. Some countries have dedicated pages with guidance for Eswatini itself. Other countries have a general guidance for departing citizens along with rules & regulations for when they return home. Also in the table are links to a list of tour operators in each country that sell Eswatini, pre-filtered from our International Tour Operators & Travel Agents selling Eswatini page. For the countries that may not have an Eswatini-specialist tour operator, you can navigate to the full international list to find a tour operator you wish to contact.
If you believe any of the links to be incorrect, please contact us and we will update them.
| Country of Departure | COVID-19 Regulations | Tour Operators | Travel Advisory | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Argentina | Link | Full List | Link |
 | Austria | Link | Click to View | |
 | Belgium | Link | Click to View | Click to View |
 | Brazil | Link | Click to View | |
 | Bulgaria | Link | Full List | |
 | Canada | Link | Click to View | |
 | Czech Republic | Link | Click to View | |
 | Denmark | Link | Click to View | None |
 | Finland | Link | Click to View | Click to View |
 | France | Link | Click to View | Click to View |
 | Germany | Link | Click to View | |
 | India | Link | Click to View | |
 | Ireland | Link | Full List | Click to View |
 | Italy | Link | Click to View | |
 | Japan | Link | Full List | |
 | Norway | Link | Click to View | |
 | Poland | Link | Full List | |
 | Portugal | Link | Full List | Click to View |
 | South Africa | Link | Click to View | |
 | Spain | Link | Click to View | Click to View |
 | Sweden | Link | Click to View | Click to View |
 | Switzerland | Link | Click to View | Click to View |
 | The Netherlands | Link | Click to View | Click to View |
 | Turkey | Link | Click to View | None |
 | United Kingdom | Click to View | Click to View | |
 | United States | Link | Click to View | Click to View |
Flights to Eswatini
Reaching Eswatini by air at present is only possible from Johannesburg, flying to King Mswati III International airport on Airlink. This much larger Airport has now replaced Matsapha airport. Pre-COVID, flights to Eswatini from Johannesburg were provided solely by Airlink, taking around 45 minutes. Flights departed four times per day and cost from US$175 one-way and US$350 return. An airport tax of E50 is payable when departing from King Mswati III International Airport.
Airlink schedules as at April 2021 (downloadable file): click here.
Airlink schedules (live online system): click here.
There is also an airport shuttle bus service available from King Mswati III International airport to many places around Eswatini. You can see the full bus schedule here.
Intercontinental Flights to Johannesburg
Johannesburg is very well served by airlines from around the world with a number of European, African, Middle Eastern and American airlines all flying direct. The latest details of routes into Johannesburg can be found on this link. For London, British Airways, South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic all operate two or three daily non-stop flights. Flight prices are dependent on the time of year, with flights to Johannesburg getting more expensive around the Christmas period. Non-direct flights in most cases will be cheaper, but shop around to make sure you get the best deal.
Entering Eswatini by Road
Driving into Eswatini is relatively easy, provided you drive sensibly and avoid the pot holes, ramshackle settlements, pedestrians and wandering livestock found on many of the roads leading into the country.
There is no Bureau to change currency, however the gate does accept South African rand. Most South African car hire companies will allow you to bring vehicles over the border. Find out more information here. Certain documentation is required to enter Eswatini from South Africa, depending on the ownership of the vehicle, as follows:
- Valid Passport
- Driver licence
- Letter from the company that you are given the access to drive the vehicle
- Blue book (Registration Document)
- Letter from the Car Hire
- Valid driver licence
- Valid passport
Own vehicle but still paying for it.
- Letter from the bank
- Blue book (Registration Document)
- Valid passport
- Valid driver licence
- Blue book (Registration Document)
- Valid passport
- Valid driver licence
- Affidavit
- I.D copy of the owner of the vehicle
- Blue book (Registration Document)
- Valid passport
- Valid driver’s licence.
Road Toll Fees
Eswatini Revenue Authority road toll fees for vehicles entering Eswatini are as follows as from 1st November 2019:
|
Class of Motor Vehicle |
Fee |
|
1. A foreign registered light vehicle weighing 3500kg or below |
E100.00 |
|
2. A foreign registered commercial vehicle weighing above 3500kg |
E300.00 |
|
3. Local commercial vehicle |
E50.00 |
|
4. Foreign registered commercial vehicle entering the Kingdom of Eswatini through Mhlumeni or Lomahasha borders |
An equivalent to 100 United States Dollar (US$ 100.00) per vehicle and per trailer |
For further information, please see official documentation here.
Border Opening Times
In attempts to limit the spread of Coronavirus, a few of Eswatini’s smaller border posts were temporarily closed as from March 2020. However, as of 1 August 2022, all border posts are now operational during the following opening times:
Bulembu/ Josefdal : 08.00 – 16.00
Gege/ Bothashoop : 08.00 – 16.00
Lavumiso/ Golela : 0700 – 22.00
Lomahasha/Namaacha : 07.00 – 00.00
Lundzi/Waverley : 08.00 – 16.00
Mahamba : 07.00 – 22.00
Mananga : 07.00 – 18.00
Matsamo/Jeppe’s Reef : 07.00 – 20.00
Mhlumeni/Goba : 06:00 – 00:00
Ngwenya/Oshoek :24 Hours
Nsalitshe /Onverwacht : 08.00 – 18.00
Sandlane/ Nerston : 08.00 – 18.00
Sicunusa/Houdkop : 08.00 – 18.00
By Bus from South Africa & Mozambique
A number of companies, including TransMagnific and Melula Travel, run luxury minibus services between Mbabane and Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton). Depending on the company, there are 1-3 services a day in each direction with journey times around 5 hours. Fares are from R450 one-way and R950 return. TransMagnific also now offer regular services to and from Durban, Nelspruit and Maputo on certain days of the week. Melula Travel can also provide transport for those routes on request. Local buses and mini-buses can also be used to get from South Africa or Mozambique into Eswatini but any such journey may need to be made in stages.
International Tour Operators
Most operators who organise tours to southern Africa will offer Eswatini itineraries, or provide a tailor-made service. Information about companies can be found on our International Tour Operators page.
Duty Free
International travellers over the age of 18 may import:
- New or used goods, of a total value not exceeding E5000 per person
- 2 litres of wine
- 1 litre of spirituous and other alcoholic beverages
- 200 cigarettes and 20 cigars
- 250g of cigarette or pipe tobacco
- 50ml of perfumery and 250ml of toilet water
For VAT, all travellers (whether arriving from SACU or elsewhere) are entitled to import new or used goods duty free for their own personal use or consumption (i.e. not for resale) of up to E1 000 per person.
Travelling With Children
Entry Requirements, Visas & Foreign Missions
For information about entry requirements, Visas, and Eswatini’s Diplomatic Missions around the world, see our Visa Guide.