Health & Safety

It is wise to be up to date on tetanus, polio and diphtheria (now given as an all-in-one vaccine), and hepatitis A. Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is needed if you are coming from a yellow fever endemic area, though a yellow fever vaccine is not needed for Eswatini (Swaziland) alone. Immunisation against cholera is no longer required for Eswatini. Anti-Malarial pills are only needed if travelling to the eastern side of the country (the lowveld and Lubombo Mountains), including the reserves of the Lubombo Conservancy. However, Eswatini is also getting close to being malaria free – see here. There is a very high HIV/AIDS infection rate, and therefore all precautions should be taken, though the country is working hard and achieving good success in tackling HIV/AIDS. Gastrointestinal infections can be avoided through regularly washing hands, along with fruits and vegetables.

Medical facilities in Eswatini are limited; however minor problems can be checked through private services offered by some hotels. In some serious cases, the poor health care available can mean that transfers to South Africa are need. It is recommended that all visitors have medical insurance.

Security checks from border forces and the local police aren’t uncommon, especially for tourists. Checks will get finished quicker and without problems provided that tourists are patient during them. With regards to crime, usual precautions should be taken when visiting an unknown place. Try to limit taking valuables out of the accommodation when possible, especially at night.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

As at 14 August 2022 Eswatini had had 73 327 recorded cases of COVID-19. Of those,  71 875 have recovered with 1419 deaths, leaving just 33 active cases. 392 961 people (33.9% of total population) have been fully vaccinated . (See: Giving 110%: Eswatini’s early rollout of COVID-19 vaccines on WHO)

After some periods of restricted travel during the pandemic, as at March 2022, Eswatini is open to all visitors based on the following requirements:

  • Travellers entering and exiting the Kingdom of Eswatini must produce EITHER of the following, upon arrival at the Points of Entry:
    • A valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate (hard or electronic) and must be fully vaccinated.
    • OR
    • A valid negative COVID-19 PCR test result (hard or electronic) that is not older than 72 hours, for the unvaccinated.
  • “Fully vaccinated” means complete doses of a vaccine, i.e. two doses for a two-dose vaccine, and one dose for a one-dose vaccine.
  • Valid Vaccination Certificates considered are those of COVID-19 vaccine candidates that have been prequalified by WHO. This will be updated periodically as need arise.
  • Vaccination cards are not allowed at the PoE only the Vaccination Certificates are allowed.
  • Outbound travellers from Eswatini MUST ALSO comply with requirements of the airlines and the country of transit and destination.
  • Children under 12 years are exempted from the above measures.

Click here for the March 2022 notice on Cross-border travel from the Eswatini Ministry of Health.

For the latest updates from people actively crossing Eswatini’s borders, the Hospitality & Tourism Association of Eswatini (HOTAES) has set up its own  Eswatini Travel Facebook Group.