Today, September 6, the Kingdom of Eswatini celebrates its independence. On this day in 1968, the small southern African nation, formerly known as Swaziland, gained independence from British rule after more than six decades as a protectorate. Eswatini remains one of the last absolute monarchies in the world, currently ruled by King Mswati III.
Fun fact: Eswatini officially changed its name from Swaziland to the Kingdom of Eswatini in 2018, marking 50 years of independence. The name means "land of the Swazis" in the local siSwati language.
✈️ Destination Spotlight: Beyond the history, Eswatini is one of Africa's most underrated safari destinations, home to Mkhaya Game Reserve and the Ezulwini Valley. Curious what a trip there actually looks like? We put together a full guide over on ConnectedTraveler.
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Traditional attire worn during Eswatini's Umhlanga Reed Dance, an annual ceremony where thousands of unmarried women present reeds to the Queen Mother — one of the most striking living traditions in the region.
FAQ
- What is Eswatini's Independence Day? It marks the country's independence from the United Kingdom on September 6, 1968.
- What was Eswatini called before? Swaziland, until the official name change in 2018.
- What kind of government does Eswatini have? It is one of the world's few remaining absolute monarchies.
- Is Eswatini safe to visit? Yes, Eswatini is generally considered one of the safer countries in southern Africa for travelers, with a stable political environment and a well-established tourism industry.
- What language is spoken in Eswatini? siSwati and English are both official languages, so English speakers can get by easily.
- What's the best time to visit Eswatini? The dry winter months (May through September) are ideal for wildlife viewing, since animals gather more visibly around water sources and the bush is less dense.
- Do I need a visa to visit Eswatini? Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and most EU countries do not need a visa for stays up to 30 days. Just make sure your passport has at least six months validity remaining and two blank visa pages, since Eswatini can deny entry without them.
- What is Eswatini's Independence Day also known as locally? It is officially called Somhlolo Day, named after King Sobhuza I, historically revered as "Somhlolo" or "The Wonder."
- What are Eswatini's capitals? Eswatini has two capitals: Mbabane is the administrative and executive capital, while Lobamba is the royal and legislative capital.
- What is the local currency? The Lilangeni (plural: Emalangeni, symbol: E), pegged 1:1 to the South African Rand. South African Rand is also widely accepted throughout the country.
