Africa > 🇸🇿 Eswatini
The city by city Car or no Car advice for Eswatini can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Eswatini; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Eswatini?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Eswatini?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🏙️ Main Cities in Eswatini
| CITY | IATA | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Manzini | MTS |
The short answer is usually yes, because the country is small, the roads are good, and a car gives you maximum flexibility. However, public transport can work for point-to-point travel, so the choice depends on your itinerary and comfort level.
🚗 Why renting a car in Eswatini usually makes sense
🛣️ Excellent roads for a small country
Eswatini has surprisingly good infrastructure. Main highways are smooth, well-signed, and easy to navigate. Even secondary roads generally remain in decent condition, although some gravel tracks lead into rural valleys and reserves.
🌿 Perfect for self-drive safaris
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Hlane Royal National Park, and Mkhaya Game Reserve all welcome self-drive visitors (Hlane and Mlilwane more easily than Mkhaya). The scenery is lush and undulating, and traffic levels are low.
🏞️ A compact layout
Because Eswatini is tiny by African standards, you can cross the entire country in a few hours. A car lets you hop between Mbabane, Lobamba, Manzini, and the national parks with minimal stress.
🏨 Easy for hotel-to-park trips
Most lodges, guesthouses, and cultural villages lie outside city centres. A rental car makes reaching them significantly easier, especially if you plan early-morning game drives.
🚫 When you might not need a car
🚌 Public kombi vans
Minibus taxis connect many towns, including Mbabane, Manzini, Siteki, and Nhlangano. They’re cheap, but schedules depend on demand, and they won’t take you directly into reserves.
🚕 Taxis in cities
Taxis exist in Mbabane and Manzini, but they work better for short hops than multi-day sightseeing.
🛣️ If you only plan to pass through
Some travellers visit Eswatini as part of a broader South Africa trip (e.g., between Kruger and KwaZulu-Natal). In that case, you may already have a car from South Africa, making a new rental unnecessary.
🚧 Border crossings with a rental car
Eswatini is surrounded entirely by South Africa and Mozambique, and many travellers drive in from one or both.
🇿🇦 South Africa → Eswatini
Most rental companies in South Africa allow cross-border travel into Eswatini with a letter of authorisation. This is straightforward and common.
🇲🇿 Mozambique → Eswatini
Fewer companies allow Mozambique crossings because of insurance restrictions, but it is possible. Always check in advance.
🇸🇿 Renting inside Eswatini
If you pick up a car in Mbabane or Manzini, cross-border travel back into South Africa is usually permitted. Just confirm your paperwork.
🚆 Trains in Eswatini — not for passengers
Eswatini has railway lines, but no passenger train service. All railways are freight-only, mainly carrying coal between South Africa and Mozambique. This means rail can’t be used for tourism or internal travel.
✈️ Domestic flights
Eswatini has one modern international airport: King Mswati III International Airport (SHO). However, almost no domestic flights exist. Most travellers fly into Johannesburg and then drive or catch a shuttle into Eswatini.
🧭 Summary — Should you rent a car in Eswatini?
✔️ Yes, if…
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You want to visit the wildlife reserves
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You prefer flexibility and independence
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You’re combining Eswatini with a South Africa road trip
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You want to explore rural scenery without relying on kombi vans
❌ No, if…
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You’re only moving between Mbabane and Manzini
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You’re travelling on a very tight budget
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You dislike driving in unfamiliar countries
Conclusion: Eswatini is one of the easiest and most rewarding African countries for a self-drive trip. Renting a car makes exploring its parks, valleys, waterfalls, and cultural sites far simpler — and far more enjoyable.
Renting a car in Eswatini is the best way to explore the country’s wildlife reserves, mountain scenery, and cultural heartlands with complete flexibility. Visitors who plan to stay mainly in one lodge or within the Ezulwini Valley can manage comfortably without a car, but anyone wanting to see more of the country will find that having their own vehicle significantly enhances the experience.
