Safety and Security when visiting Eswatini

Eswatini is generally a safe place to travel, although it has become less so than in previous years. The U.S. State Department has travel advisory levels ranging from 1 (normal precautions) to 4 (do not travel).

As of May 2023, the travel advisory level for Eswatini is at level 2 (exercise increased caution) due to crime and civil unrest. Travel Advisory – State Department website

By way of comparison, Canada and Argentina are level 1, France and the UK are currently level 2, Nigeria and Guatemala are level 3, and Ukraine and North Korea are level 4.

While we do not want you to be fearful, please do exercise the following “cautions” during your visit to Eswatini.

1. Do not ever walk anywhere in Eswatini (or South Africa) by yourself or even in a pair. You should always be in a group of three or more. We are a very visible group and there is security in numbers. Women should always have some men in their group.
2. Please don’t go off from the team (even in a group) without letting a designated team leader know where you are going. You should also always have at least one liSwati leader with you. You are a visitor; do not assume that you know when an area is safe.
3. Always remain alert and be aware of your surroundings.
4. Take precautions against petty theft. Avoid overt displays of wealth such as cash, jewelry, and mobile phones.
5. Do not leave your personal belongings unattended unless you have left them in a kombi (van) that will be locked or attended by the driver.
6. There is a tremendously high HIV and AIDS infection rate, and therefore all precautions should be taken.
7. Gastrointestinal infections can be avoided through regularly washing hands, along with fruits and vegetables.
8. Don’t eat food that may make you sick. The three P’s are a good guideline. You can generally trust food that is: Prepared (i.e. cooked), Peeled, or Packaged.
9. Always steer clear of political demonstrations and protests as they can turn violent. It is also wise to avoid politically-charged conversations, whether about Eswatini or U.S. politics.

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