Swaziland is an exciting destination known for its beauty, culture, food, and exciting activities. It should be at the top of your travel list. In this travel cost guide, we'll break down everything you need to plan your trip's budget. From accommodation to food to sightseeing and transportation, we'll give you the details you need to enjoy every moment of your trip without overspending.
How much does it cost to travel to Swaziland?
You should plan to spend around $156 (SZL2,742) per day on your vacation in Swaziland. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $51 (SZL895) on meals
- $14 (SZL240) on local transportation
- $84 (SZL1,471) on hotels
A one week trip to Swaziland for two people costs, on average, $2,187 (SZL38,388). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Swaziland expensive to visit?
Swaziland is a moderately priced destination to visit. It's about average with most other countries for travel costs. The prices for food, accommodation, and transportation are all fairly reasonable.
Within Africa, Swaziland is moderately priced compared to the other countries. The overall cost of travel here is comparable to Kenya or Cape Verde.
No matter your travel style or budget, Swaziland has plenty of sights, activities, and places to stay that will meet your needs. Budget-conscious travelers will find affordable hotels, but there are also luxury hotels for those seeking more opulence, as well as mid-range hotels for families or couples.
Swaziland offers a luxury experience, but you can still keep your spending in check with strategies like eating at less expensive restaurants and enjoying free activities.
On average, budget travelers spend $69 (SZL1,199) per person per day, mid-range travelers spend $157 (SZL2,742) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $300 (SZL5,239) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Swaziland.
For more details, see Is Swaziland Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Swaziland?
The average Swaziland trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Swaziland travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Swaziland cost?
Swaziland on a Budget
|
Category
|
Budget
|
Mid-Range
|
Luxury
|
Accommodation 1
For 1 person in double occupancy
|
$18
(SZL322)
|
$42
(SZL736)
|
$80
(SZL1,406)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$5.98
(SZL105)
|
$14
(SZL240)
|
$26
(SZL459)
|
|
Food 2
|
$22
(SZL391)
|
$51
(SZL895)
|
$97
(SZL1,709)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$9.12
(SZL160)
|
$21
(SZL366)
|
$40
(SZL699)
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$2-7
(SZL41-124)
|
$5-16
(SZL94-283)
|
$10-31
(SZL180-541)
|
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
It's important to manage your expectations when it comes to your travel budget. While many people like to see themselves as "budget" travelers on a shoestring budget, most find this type of travel uncomfortable. Think about what you enjoy and how you've traveled previously. Are you drawn to resorts, hotels, vacation rentals, or do you prefer hostels, instead? How important is eating out to you? And what type of transportation do you prefer? Your answers to these questions will greatly affect your overall travel budget.
Who are Budget Travelers?
It's common to hear that a visit to Swaziland can cost just $69 a day, but unless you're willing to forgo many comforts, expect to spend significantly more.
Backpackers often find ways to stick to this tight budget, but it generally means staying in hostel dorms, grabbing meals at the cheapest spots or fast food places, relying on public transport or walking, and visiting only free attractions.
What Makes You an Average Traveler?
For families and couples traveling for fun, staying in a mid-range hotel, eating at popular restaurants, and visiting famous museums and attractions with entry fees is typical. You'll want to visit the major attractions, sights, and landmarks. As you can expect, most of these experiences come at a price, so it's safer to plan for a trip budget around $157 per person each day.
Want to Experience a Luxurious Trip?
For a lavish experience with the highest level of comfort and service, expect a price tag around $300. Booking five-star hotels, dining at top restaurants, splurging on once-in-a-lifetime excursions, and hiring private drivers will put you in the luxury travel tier. You'll be enjoying the good life in places like the major cities and resort areas. Also, make the most of your time by booking a high-end multi-day tour such as 3 Days Cultural Swaziland, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Hlane National Park - offered by Across Africa Tours & Travel.
Accommodation Budget in Swaziland
Swaziland has a surprising range of hotel prices. During peak season, everything gets more expensive, so visit in the off-season for better deals. There's also a big gap between budget and luxury options, but booking early helps keep costs down.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Swaziland for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $84 (SZL1,471). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $42 (SZL736) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Swaziland? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Local Transportation Budget in Swaziland
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $14 (SZL240) per person, per day, on local transportation in Swaziland. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Swaziland is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Local Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$14
SZL240
In Swaziland, public transit options are often limited. It's advisable to rent a car or arrange for a form of transportation in advance, such as a guided tour. However, keep in mind that this might affect your overall trip budget.
Food Budget in Swaziland
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Swaziland can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Swaziland is $51 (SZL895) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$51
SZL895
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Swaziland is about $51 (SZL895) per person. Previous travelers have typically spent from $22 to $98 per day. Generally, breakfast and lunch will cost less than dinner, but that will vary based on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Swaziland are as follows:
- Breakfast: $9 to $15
- Lunch: $8 to $26
- Dinner: $18 to $41
- Coffee: $5
- Fast Food or Street Food: $8
While many western foods are available in the city parts of Swaziland, to indulge in the native food of the country is all a part of the experience. Much of the traditional cuisine is maize or corn-based, like the dish below; however, other ingredients include things like beans, groundnuts, pumpkin, avocado and sour milk, plus dried and cooked local meats - some of which include antelope, often called "wild meat" by the locals. Roadside merchants usually market foods like sweet breads, fruits, and vegetables.
Mieliepap: A traditional porridge or polenta made from mielie-meal (a ground maize). Different variations have different consistencies and textures like the smooth slap pap, the thicker stywe pap, and the more crumbly phuthu pap. The pap is usually accompanied by savories like green vegetables flavored with chili, or served with meat and a kind of tomato stew. It is also a common breakfast staple, usually eaten with milk, butter, and sugar.
Chicken Dust: A kind of cheap local barbeque meal, where the chicken is grilled in the open and is served with a salad and mealie like the porridge-type stuff described above. Be wary that this is a kind of street vendor food.
As far as restaurants go, many good options can be found in Ezulwini. Some of these include Edladleni Restaurant serving traditional Swazi food, The Calabash Continental Restaurant serving excellent Swiss and German cuisine, The Boma Restaurant which is a more Africa-chic destination, and The Great Taipei which is a favorite for Chinese.
When dining with children, make sure to find restaurants that offer a childrens' menu. This can save you a considerable amount, as those meals are usually much cheaper. Also, remember that some restaurants might not list the kids' options, so it's a good idea to ask your waiter.
Many hotels offer breakfast as part of the room rate, but some may charge extra for it. The price and quality of breakfast can differ greatly between hotels. Being informed beforehand can help you determine if you want to spend more on that hotel buffet or if a nearby bakery or café would be a more budget-friendly option.
Instead of purchasing drinks everywhere, bring a water bottle along. It's also an eco-conscious choice.
Before you head out on a tour, it's important to check which meals are included. If you have to pay for some meals yourself, it could affect your overall budget.
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Swaziland
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Swaziland typically cost an average of $21 (SZL366) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$21
SZL366
A nice way to explore destinations in Swaziland is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Mbabane City Walking Tours- eSwatini for $40 details
Nightlife Budget in Swaziland
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $11 (SZL189) on nightlife and alcoholic beverages in Swaziland per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$11
SZL189
While enjoying the local nightlife is part of the adventure, limiting drinks can help stretch your travel funds.
Traveling in Swaziland
Swaziland
Known as Swaziland in English, the small, landlocked country of Eswatini sits in southern Africa with South Africa to its west and Mozambique to the east. Swaziland is one of the last remaining absolute monarchies in the world. In recent decades, this small nation has become a popular destination for tourists with several large safari-oriented game parks and reserves. The abundant wilderness is Swaziland's greatest asset, as well as its many cultural festivals held throughout the year.
At A Glance
The capital city of Swaziland is Mbabane. There are no major attractions here, besides a few small malls, a hotel, and some open markets. Nearby, however, there is the Mantenga Reserve, also known as the Swazi Cultural Village, where you can tour small huts that represent Swazi life in the 1850's. There is also a traditional Swazi singing and dancing troupe here that performs twice daily.
The Milwane Wildlife Sanctuary in Ezulwini Valley is also nearby and offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Some wildlife of the region that you may catch sight of includes monkeys, baboons, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, and zebras. There are plenty of hiking trails in the surrounding mountains as well. One of the most travelled routes is the hike up to Sibebe, the second highest rock in the world after Ayers Rock. It has its start in Pine Valley and is marked by yellow arrows up and white dots back down, taking about 3-5 hours round trip.
Other destinations include Mkhaya Game Reserve which hosts guided jeep safaris, the Malolotja Nature Reserve which has ziplining, and the Mlawula Nature Reserve which has even more opportunities for guided tours, game drives, hikes, mountain biking, bird watching, and fishing. Other scenic areas include Pine Valley and Malolotja Falls.
Related:
Looking for a hostel in Marrakesh, Cape Town, Nairobi, or Zanzibar?
Top Tourist Attractions
As far as sights go in Swaziland, a well-rounded experience will have a visitor immersed in the beautiful nature and diverse wildlife of the country, show them a bit of traditional Swazi life, and give them a taste of the native culture that the inhabitants are so proud of. Given the number of parks and reserves in the country, one would have to make an effort not to snatch a glimpse of its beauty. You cannot go wrong with any one of them, each abundant with its own ecosystem of wildlife.
Hlane Royal National Park: In the Swazi language, "hlane" means "wilderness," and this one is the largest in the country. It is home to a diverse and abundant population of bird life, as well as lion, white rhino, zebra, elephant, and a variety of other native mammals.
Swazi Cultural Village: Also known as the Mantenga Nature Reserve, as mentioned above, is a great way to experience some of the more traditional Swazi culture. See life as it was in the 1850's, plus some local entertainment by a traditional Swazi singing and dancing troupe.
Incwala Kingship: An important religious Swazi ritual, meaning "Festival of the Fruits," begins in late December and continues on to the next year, lasting about eight weeks. It is an annual ceremony that unites the people of Swaziland to call for blessings from their ancestors.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.