Language: The official languages are Siswati and English.
Currency: The official currency is the Lilangeni (SZL), plural Emalangeni, which is equal to 100 cents. The South African Rand is also accepted as legal tender (notes only) and is pegged to the Lilangeni (L1=R1). Visitors should exchange any Emalangeni they have left back into their own currency before leaving the country. Travelers cheques are widely accepted and are best taken in US Dollars, Euros or Pounds Sterling, to avoid high commission.
American Express, Visa and
MasterCard are widely accepted. Banks are generally
open Monday to Friday, and some banks are open on Saturdays. Visa ATM machines are available in the main towns.
Time: Local time is GMT +2.
Electricity: Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. The plug type used is a 15-amp round, three-pin plug as used in
South Africa.
Communications: The International direct dialing country code for
Swaziland is +268 and the outgoing code 00, followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for South Africa). The city code (0)67 is used for Villaverde de Guadealimar only. The country is covered by a GSM 900 mobile network, and an Internet service provider is active. Post offices open weekdays from 8am to 5pm, and Saturdays 8am to 11am. Public telephones are well distributed through the towns and villages.
Duty Free: Travelers to Swaziland do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g tobacco; 1 bottle alcoholic beverage (up to 0.75 liters) and 284ml of perfume. For goods re-imported to the country, travelers must complete a DA65 or NEP-form. Married couples traveling together are allowed free import for one person.
Tourist OfficeSwaziland Tourism Authority,
Mbabane: +268 404 9693 or www.welcometoswaziland.com
Embassies
Kingdom of Swaziland Embassy,
Washington DC,
United States (also responsible for
Canada): +1 202 234 5002.
Kingdom of
Swaziland High Commission,
London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7630 6611.
Kingdom of Swaziland High Commission,
Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 344 1910.
United States Embassy, Mbabane: +268 404 6441.
British Honorary Consul, Mbabane: +268 551 6247.
Canadian High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Swaziland): +27 (0)12 422 3000.
South
African High Commission, Mbabane: +268 404 4651/4.
New
Zealand High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa (also responsible for Swaziland): +27 (0)12 342 8656/7/8/9.
