Money :
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. Travellers 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.
Language :
The official languages are Siswati and English.
Health :
Travellers arriving in Swaziland within six days of having been in a yellow fever infected area require a vaccination certificate. Hepatitis A, rabies, polio and typhoid vaccinations are recommended, as are malaria prevention measures for those visiting the lowland areas. Bilharzia exists in some rivers, and cholera outbreaks occur. There is an extremely high HIV/AIDS infection rate. Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink and food, including dairy products, presents no risk. Medical facilities are poor in the country, but the tourist hotels offer private services for minor problems. Serious cases can be transported to South Africa for treatment. Medical insurance is recommended.
Tipping :
Service charges are not normally included in bills, but tips of 10% are customary.
Safety :
The crime rate is low and most visits are trouble free. It is wise, however, to take precautions against theft, and avoid travelling by road at night.
Customs :
Homosexuality is illegal.
Business :
In Swaziland business etiquette is quite informal, however lightweight suits are recommended for meetings. Entertaining and meetings often take place outdoors due to a temperate climate. Appointments should be made in advance and business cards carried for identification. Handshakes are the normal form of greeting for both men and women. Meetings are not restricted to business matters only and may take a while over prolonged lunches. Business hours are generally 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday with an hour taken at lunch.
Duty Free :
Travellers to Swaziland do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g tobacco; 1 bottle alcoholic beverage (up to 0.75 litres) and 284ml of perfume. For goods re-imported to the country, travellers must complete a DA65 or NEP-form. Married couples travelling together are allowed free import for one person.
Communications :
The International direct dialling 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.
