How to Get Around in Eswatini: Transport Options & Travel Tips

Wondering how to get around in Eswatini? This small but diverse country may not have a massive transportation network, but getting from place to place is easier than you might expect.

Whether you're planning to explore game reserves, cultural villages, or the scenic highlands, there are several practical ways to travel within Eswatini.

From public minibuses to rental cars and guided tours, this guide will help you choose the best way to navigate the Kingdom of Eswatini with ease and confidence.

How to Get Around in Eswatini: a Brief Intro

Before diving into all of the details of how to get around in Eswatini, let's go over some of the basics.

 Getting to Eswatini

When choosing an option for how to get around in Eswatini, you'll want to keep in mind where you are coming from, and your mode of transportation.

The biggest city (and capital) of Eswatini is Mbabane, and the second biggest city is Manzini. Both are located centrally in the country, and are not too far from one another. Manzini has an airport, and Mbabane is the main hub for buses coming from the bordering countries.

If you're coming with public transportation or flying in, you'll want to base yourself in either of those cities, and then get around by public transport, private transportation, or hire a guide. If you are exploring all over Southern Africa though, then renting a car may be one of the best options.

The Different Options for Getting Around in Eswatini

Wondering how to get around in Eswatini? Here are the different options you can look at:

• Rent a car (or van) and drive around Eswatini
• Take public transportation (buses)
• Use private transportation (taxis)
• Hire a guide

 What is the Best Way to Travel Through Eswatini?

The best way to travel through Eswatini depends largely on your time, budget, how many people you are with, and where you are coming from. 

We'd honestly recommend renting a camper van or car and explore the country at your own pace! However, the other factors may be completely different for you, so that's why we're going to go over each option to see which is best for you and your group.

How to Get Around in Eswatini: Comparing the Different Options

Now that you have a better idea of what Eswatini is like, let's go over the different options for how to get around the country.

 Getting Around in Eswatini by Car

There are a lot of incredible game reserves in Eswatini, as well as cultural villages, hiking trails, and gems out in nature like viewpoints, lakes, and waterfalls.

Having a car to get around in Eswatini is super ideal, because it allows you to be able to do game drives on your own, explore more flexibly, and see places that public transportation won't take you.

The roads in Eswatini are almost all well paved (with the exception of one waterfall we went to, along with the game reserves), and it's easy to navigate the roads. Do keep in mind though that driving is on the left side of the road!

Bonus: If you're coming from South Africa, consider renting a camper van! We rented a truck and transformed the back with a bed. It was a fun way to add even more flexibility to our schedule, and saved us money!

 Renting a Car in Eswatini

If you plan on flying into Eswatini you can easily rent a car from the airport or if you are taking a bus from South Africa or Mozambique, you can rent a car at one of several agencies in the city center of Mbabane. 

How to Get Around in Eswatini by Public Transportation

If you're not comfortable renting a car, are traveling on your own, or are simply looking to explore the highlights of Eswatini without spending a lot of money, then public transportation may be the option you want to opt for.

Public transportation in Eswatini is affordable, and you have the option of taking the regular buses or the kombi taxis, which are shared vans. 

 Buses in Eswatini

While Eswatini doesn't have a massive network of buses, there are buses that connect to all of the main cities in the country, and there are even buses that connect the smaller towns, national parks, and main tourist attractions.

Buses are the most abundant in Mbabane and Manzini, and while there aren't a lot of timetables or regularity, locals are familiar with the routes. Simply ask someone from the area and they'll easily lead you in the right direction.

 Tip: Make sure to carry local cash on you!

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Kombi Taxis in Eswatini

Kombi taxis are the faster, slightly-more-expensive public transportation option in Eswatini. They are essentially shared vans that you can take with set routes. These can be found all over Mbabane and Manzini, so just ask a local for the meet-up point of your particular destination.

How to Get Around in Eswatini by Private Transportation

If you're looking for how to get around in Eswatini's cities, or looking to go to nearby parks and such, the easiest option is to get a taxi.

Private taxis are available in Eswatini with the Leap Taxi App. This modern method of taxi travel is similar to Uber- users can prebook or request taxis immediately, locate drivers that are nearby, agree on rates, and pay for the travel all via the app.

 Getting Around Eswatini with a Guide

If you're looking for an easy and fun way to explore Eswatini, then you can consider hiring a private guide!

We had a friend of ours hire a guide, and she absolutely loved the experience. With affordable prices in Eswatini, this is a great option if you are a solo-traveler, or if your group is looking to have everything set up for you without the hassle of research or getting around on your own.

How to Get Around Eswatini: Conclusion

Now you know all about how to get around in Eswatini! Here's a bit of a recap:

• Renting a car or camper van is a fun way to explore to the country, and allows you to experience hidden gems.
• You can rent a car in Mbabane or at the airport.
• The cheapest option for getting around is by public bus.
• Kombi Taxis are similar to buses, but are smaller, faster, and more expensive.
• Hiring a private driver is a great option for solo travelers or groups wanting to relax and have a hassle-free trip.

What's Next?

Now that you know how to get around in Eswatini, you'll probably want to learn more about visiting! Here are some of our top guides we recommend to help you getting acquainted with this beautiful country:

 Best Things to Do in Eswatini

 Top Game Reserves in Eswatini

...and more coming each week!

So are you ready to explore the incredible country of Eswatini? We hope you've found our guide about how to get around Eswatini helpful for planning your trip, and if you have any further questions, please feel free to comment down below!

Looking to learn more about Eswatini? Don't miss out on our other Eswatini travel guides, as well as other Africa travel guides we have each week. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for all of the latest updates, as well as exclusive content and discounts!

Ready to book your trip to Eswatini? We're here to help! Now Scratch Your Mapa offers travel planning services to help you find the most affordable flights and some of the most unique places to stay. Not only that, but we're creating really awesome group trips to South Africa and Eswatini in the near future!

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