Swaziland Guide
Getting Around
Driving is the best way to see Swaziland; distances are small, all the main tourist sites are near good, tarred roads, and the major gravel roads are in decent condition. Most dirt roads are passable with an ordinary vehicle in dry months. Driving standards, however, leave a lot to be desired – highlighted by the fact that two of the last four ministers of transport have died in road accidents. The authorities permit a blood-alcohol level in drivers which is double that permitted in South Africa, which should make you think twice about long drives at night. Also, the general speed limit of 80kph outside towns is universally ignored and very rarely enforced.
Swaziland is crisscrossed by a network of so-called Kombi minibus routes that covers almost every corner of the country. The Kombis leave from bus stations in the main towns, when full, and ply the main routes linking the towns, calling at set stops along the way. This means that if for instance you want to get to Nyanza Farm in the Malkerns valley from Mbabane, you'll have to catch a Kombi to Malkerns, and then another from Malkerns towards Manzini, getting off at the Nyanza stop. Kombi travel is cheap – a ticket from Mbabane to Nyanza costs E10. Ask at the local bus station about the best route to get to your destination. The stations are organized by destination, so all Kombis to, say, Manzini will leave from one corner of the station, and to Piggs Peak from another. Although buses do tend to get quite packed, they are an efficient way of getting around, and a great way of meeting people.