Eswatini Travel Guide Best Time To Visit
Alan researched and wrote about Swaziland for Lonely Planet.
The main parks of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) offer wildlife viewing throughout the year. In Hlane and Mkhaya some animals are kept in large drive-through enclosures, making them easy to find. Traditionally, the best wildlife viewing is during the dry winter months, from May to September. While this isn’t so important in Eswatini, you might still want to consider this if you are visiting other parks in South Africa.
May to September Dry Season – Winter
-
Wildlife viewing at its best as animals gather around water, and vegetation thins out
-
Blue, blue skies and no rain
-
Mild daytime temperatures and low humidity
-
Very dry and dusty
-
Early morning game drives in open vehicles are cold; warm clothing is required
October to April Wet Season – Summer
-
The scenery is green and fresh
-
Wildlife viewing is still good
-
There are many baby animals
-
Birding is excellent with migratory birds present
-
Wildlife viewing is not as good as during the Dry season
-
It is hot and humid in the middle of the day
Wildlife Photos
Baby giraffe suckling
© Mbuluzi Game ReserveElephant walking in dry bush
© Ariadne van ZandbergenWhite rhinoceros
© FiraxxFemale nyala
© Ariadne van ZandbergenLioness close-up
© FiraxxImpala ram
© FiraxxWhite rhinoceros rubbing against a tree to remove ticks after a mud bath
© Ariadne van ZandbergenWhite rhinoceros with young
© Ariadne van ZandbergenMale lion portrait
© Pal TeravagimovYoung lion standing on the road
© FiraxxFemale nyala crossing the road
© FiraxxFemale nyala
© FiraxxTortoise
© Mbuluzi Game ReserveYoung eland
© Ariadne van ZandbergenWhite rhinos resting at a waterhole
© tzzGiraffes browsing
© Alex TsarfinSable antelope
© Ariadne van ZandbergenRoan antelope
© Ariadne van ZandbergenImpala
© Demerzel21Warthog
© Ariadne van ZandbergenPlains zebra close-up
© Luca Mason Best Time To Go by Major Park
Most parks can be visited throughout the year, but wildlife viewing is best during the Dry season when animals are easier to spot. Malolotja is more a hiking destination than a place to see wildlife. Here, the balance lies between beautiful scenery and hot, wet weather during the summer months, or cold nights but pleasant daytime temperatures during the winter months. Perhaps the best time in Malolotja is during spring and autumn, around April, May, September and October. These are also lovely months in the wildlife reserves.