Are you planning to visit Eswatini and want to know more about this fascinating little country before your trip? Or perhaps you’re just curious to learn some unusual and interesting facts about Eswatini that most people don’t know? Either way, you’ve come to the right place.
Eswatini is one of the smallest countries in Africa, yet despite its size, it's rich in cultural traditions and natural beauty. From lush mountain areas and open plains to colourful ceremonies and a variety of wildlife, this tiny Kingdom has a lot to offer.
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One of the rewarding parts of travelling is discovering new places and new cultures. Even though the world is becoming more connected, each place has its own customs and traditions that are well worth experiencing in person. In Eswatini, their customs are strongly tied to the monarchy, traditional ceremonies and rural life, making it a unique country to visit.
Many tourists only spend a short time in Eswatini, often passing through on the way to St. Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal or the Kruger National Park. But even a short visit can give you a real insight into what makes this country so special.
Planning a trip to Eswatini? Staying connected while travelling can make things much easier, especially when you need maps for navigation, travel information or want to keep in touch with family and friends. We've put together a guide explaining how to stay connected in Eswatini.
In this article we have compiled the most fascinating and interesting facts about Eswatini, from cultural insights to surprising trivia.
Eswatini is a landlocked country
Eswatini is a landlocked country in southern Africa with no coastline or direct access to the ocean. It lies in the north east corner of South Africa but also shares a short border with Mozambique.
The Kingdom of Eswatini
Eswatini is officially known as the Kingdom of Eswatini and is only one out of three monarchies left in Africa. The other two are Lesotho (completely surrounded by South Africa) and Morocco up in north western Africa.
King Mswati III has been ruling Eswatini since 1986 and is the Ngwenyama of Eswatini (or King of Eswatini) and seat of the Swazi royal family.
Eswatini is the only absolute monarchy in Africa
Eswatini is Africa's last remaining absolute monarchy, where the king holds supreme authority over the government, laws and national affairs. Unlike most monarchies where the king or queen is mostly ceremonial, King Mswati III holds authority over all government branches and plays an active role in decision making.
King Sobhuza II was the longest reining monarch in the world
King Sobhuza II was chosen to be King of the Swazi people in 1899, after the death of his father Ngwane V, when he was only four months old. But he only officially took the throne in 1921. Considering he was chosen to be King in 1899 he reigned for 82 years and 254 days up to his death in 1982, making him the longest verifiable reign in recorded history.
However, it should be noted that King Sobhuza was partly King of the Swazis when Swaziland was still a British Protectorate and not a sovereign country.
Eswatini changed its name from Swaziland
In 2018, during the celebrations of the country’s 50th anniversary of independence, King Mswati III announced that the nation would officially change its name from the Kingdom of Swaziland to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
Various reasons were given for the name change. One was to return to the country’s original pre-colonial name, meaning Land of the Swazis in the siSwati language. Another reason was to avoid confusion with the country of Switzerland.
It might be interesting to note that while the country's name has officially been changed, it's not unusual to still see Swaziland used, years later. We were in Eswatini in 2025 where the passport stamps still said 'Swaziland border control'. We actually asked them why. They basically just shrugged and said it means the same thing; Land of the Swazi people. They won't be offended if you refer to the country as Swaziland, but try not to. Whereas the meaning of Rhodesia and Zimbabwe are 2 completely different things.
There are two official languages
The official languages of Eswatini are siSwati and English. siSwati is a Bantu language, spoken by the majority of the population and is strongly connected to the country's identity and culture. English is more used in business, government and school as a legacy from the colonial times.
When visiting Eswatini you will notice that most Swazis are bilingual and will easily communicate with you in English.
It's one of the smallest countries in Africa
With a size of just over 17000 square kilometres, Eswatini is one of the smallest countries in Africa when you include all the African islands such as Mauritius. In fact, it's the seventh smallest country in the whole region of Africa and the second smallest on the continent of Africa, after The Gambia. Eswatini is also the smallest landlocked country in Africa.
To put it into perspective, it's about the same size as Wales or the U.S. state of New Jersey. But despite its smaller size, the country has a variety of landscapes, from lush cool mountain highlands with rivers and waterfalls in the west to the warm savannahs of the lowlands in the east.
Eswatini has two capital cities
Only a few countries in the world have more than one capital city. Surrounded by green hills at an altitude of 1200 metres, Mbabane is the administrative capital which includes the government offices and Supreme Court. The city has a modern feel with banks, hotels and offices and is also the most populated city in the country.
Lobamba is the legislative capital city where the royal residences and the national parliament are. It's the cultural heart of the country where royal events and traditional ceremonies take place. Lobamba lies about 16 kilometres south east from Mbabane in the Ezulwini valley, also known as the Valley of Heaven.
Lilangeni is the official currency
The official currency is the Lilangeni (Emalangeni in plural) and is shortened to SZL. Its exchange rate is pegged 1:1 with the South African Rand.
While the South African Rand is fully accepted throughout Eswatini without even asking, the Lilangeni cannot be used in South Africa, at all. The exact same applies to the Namibian Dollar and Lesotho Loti. The Rand can be freely used in all 3 countries, but their currencies cannot be used in South Africa.
So if you're coming from South Africa it's very convenient to be able to just use Rand, but be sure to use up all your local currency before exiting Eswatini, or keep some as a souvenir.
Eswatini is home to stunning wildlife and nature reserves
Despite being a small country, Eswatini has a rich diversity of wildlife and protected areas. Visitors can see elephants, lions, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and many antelope species in their natural habitats. These reserves also feature stunning landscapes, from rolling savannas and forests to wetlands and mountains, offering visitors a true taste of African wildlife without the crowds of larger safari destinations.
Big Game Parks manages Eswatini’s main wildlife reserves
Several of Eswatini’s top wildlife destinations are managed by Big Game Parks, including Hlane Royal National Park, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Mkhaya Game Reserve and KaMsholo Bushveld Safaris.
Each park offers a unique safari experience, from walking trails in Mlilwane to the savannas of Hlane, and all contribute to the country’s conservation efforts while providing unforgettable wildlife encounters for visitors.
Traditional ceremonies are important
Throughout the year, Eswatini celebrates a number of traditional ceremonies to express its culture and the nation's heritage. Some of these ceremonies are still highly traditional and not much has changed in the last 200 years. These include the Umhlanga Reed Dance, the Incwala Festival (festival of the first fruits) and the Marula Festival (to celebrate the Marula fruit harvest).
Most ceremonies are private and primarily for locals. They are not officially organised as tourist attractions which makes witnessing them a rare and authentic experience if you do get the chance.
The Reed Dance is the most well known event
The most internationally known event is the Reed Dance or the Umhlanga. This eight day long yearly event, where young girls cut reeds then present them to the Queen Mother (Indlovukazi) before dancing in front of the King, takes place in September. It's a massive celebration where up to 40000 girls take part, making it one of the most spectacular and colourful cultural events in southern Africa.
Eswatini has a vibrant craft and arts scene
Eswatini is known for its handcrafted arts and traditional crafts, like wood carvings, beadwork, colourful baskets and woven textiles. Many of these are made with techniques passed down through generations.
When driving through Eswatini you'll notice local markets with people selling beautiful arts and crafts. So if you'd love to bring some beautiful souvenirs home, I'd recommend shopping in Eswatini at local markets.
Over the years I've brought home some lovely pieces reminding me of my travels through southern Africa and more specifically Eswatini.
Agriculture is important
Being a largely rural nation, about 75% of Eswatini’s population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. Most people practice subsistence farming, growing crops like maize, sorghum and beans to feed their families. Farming is an essential part of daily life in rural areas and plays a key role in Eswatini’s economy and culture.
Sugarcane is the main cash crop
Sugarcane plays a big role in the country's economy and daily life. Most of it is grown in the warm Lowveld region, where large green fields stretch as far as the eye can see. Thanks to an efficient irrigation system, sugarcane farming covers around 60000 hectares of land and provides work for thousands of people. The sugar industry contributes about 4 to 5% of the country’s GDP and nearly 90% of the sugar produced is exported, making it one of Eswatini’s most important industries.
Ngwenya Mine is the world's oldest mine
The Ngwenya Mine is considered the oldest known mine in the world with red haematite and specularite extraction dating back roughly 43000 years.
What makes this site unique is that it produced rare minerals like specularite, which haven’t been found in any other ancient mining sites.
The name Ngwenya comes from the word crocodile in siSwati, describing the shape of the mountain located near the mine. Today, visitors can explore what remains of the site, known as the Lion Cavern, on a guided tour through the small visitor centre.
Sibebe Rock is the 2nd largest monolith in the world
Located just outside of the capital city Mbabane, Sibebe Rock is a massive granite mountain rising 1488 metres above sea level. It's believed to be the second largest monolith in the world, after Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia.
This giant granite outcrop was formed more than 3 billion years ago and is one of Eswatini’s most impressive natural landmarks. Today, it’s a popular spot for hiking and climbing, offering spectacular views over the surrounding valleys and hills.
Polygamy is part of Swazi tradition
In Eswatini, polygamy is legally recognized under customary law and has been practiced for generations as part of Swazi culture. While civil marriages are monogamous, customary marriages can include multiple spouses and the practice remains culturally significant and accepted, especially among traditional leaders and the royal family.
Staying connected in Eswatini is easier with an eSIM. If your phone supports eSIM, you can arrange your mobile data before you travel, so you're connected as soon as you arrive. Explore the eSIM plans for Eswatini.
