Alan is a renowned Africa expert and has authored many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the Swaziland section of their 'South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland' guide.
Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is a safe country to visit in our opinion. All the more so if your visit is primarily an organized safari or tour. More than half a million tourists visit Eswatini every year and most visits are trouble free. Eswatini’s cities are small and relatively safe in comparison to most African cities, but you should be careful when visiting one of the vibrant, busy markets as pickpocketing is common.
Below are tips on staying safe in Eswatini.
Staying Safe on Wildlife Viewing Activities
To stay safe on safari, always listen carefully to your guide’s instructions and follow the rules of the park. When on a self-drive safari, only leave your car where it has been designated as safe to do so, and don’t drive too close to animals. For additional tips:
Staying Safe in Cities & Towns
Most crime in Eswatini is perpetrated in the cities. Petty theft and pickpocketing is quite common, but you are unlikely to encounter any trouble on guided activities. When venturing out in the city alone, take note of a few simple safety precautions: seek advice from your hotel before taking a walk; don’t wear any valuables and only take the money you need with you; don’t walk after dark, rather take a taxi. For more safety tips that apply to African cities in general:
Other Tips on Staying Safe
Please read the pages below regarding malaria and vaccination information for Eswatini and general travel safety precautions.
Governments' Travel Advice
Please use the links below for governments' travel advice on Eswatini.
- Australia
– www.smartraveller.gov.au - Canada
– travel.gc.ca - EU member states
– ec.europa.eu - Ireland
– www.dfa.ie - New Zealand
– www.safetravel.govt.nz - United Kingdom
– www.gov.uk - United States
– travel.state.gov
