Good Time to Visit

Weather

Swaziland has a moderate climate, although due to the variations in altitude the weather is changeable. It is occasionally very hot in the lowlands and frosts sometimes occur in the Highveld, which also attracts a reasonable amount of rain. The Middleveld and Lubombo are drier and subtropical with most rain from October to March. Climate in Swaziland has further weather details.

Festivals

The Incwala Festival, meaning 'first fruits', is the country's biggest and most colourful occasion. Held each December/January (at a time carefully chosen by astrologers), Incwala sees bonfires, singing and dancing, and is attended by warriors and guests dressed in traditional dress to gain the blessing of ancestors, sanctify the kingship, and kick off the harvest season with a party. It culminates with the King eating the first fruit of the new season.

Other events include Umhlanga Day, or Reed Dance Day, in August and September, a day where the young women pay homage to the Queen Mother. On 6 September Swaziland celebrates its independence, on Somholo Day.

More details on Incwala and Umhlanga can be found in the Culture in Swaziland section.

Public Holidays

The following table shows the public holidays celebrated in Swaziland: