Swaziland: Getting there & around

Swazi Airlink operates out of Matsapha International Airport, north of Manzini, and flies to/from Johannesburg daily. Swazi Express Airways flies four times a week to Durban (South Africa). Schedules and tickets often refer to the airport as Manzini.

Swaziland has 11 border posts with South Africa and one with Mozambique, and the smallest posts close at 16:00 or 18:00 . There is a bus service from Mbabane to Maputo in Mozambique, and buses ply the roads between Mbabane, Durban and Cape Town and Jo'burg to Mlilwane. Minibus taxis also run between Jo'burg and Mbabane, but for most other destinations in Swaziland you'll have to take a minibus taxi to the border and then another from there to the nearest town, then change again. This can take time.

There are a few infrequent (but cheap) domestic buses, most of which begin and terminate at the main stop in the centre of Mbabane. Generally you'll find minibus taxis are the best public transport, although they often run shorter routes. There are also non-shared (private hire) taxis in some of the larger towns. Most roads are good but there are rough ones out in the bush. Away from the main population centres the main dangers are people and animals on the road. With a legal blood alcohol limit of 0.15%, drunken drivers can be another danger!