Eswatini Travel Scams

At the Ngwenya-Oshoek border crossing with South Africa, locals pose as helpful assistants, offering to speed up immigration or handle currency exchange, then demand inflated fees of 100-300 Eswatini Lilangeni (about USD 5-15) for unnecessary services. They exploit confusion from long queues and unfamiliar paperwork, often targeting solo travelers arriving by bus.

Near reserves like Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, unauthorized guides approach tourists offering exclusive tours or animal sightings, charging 200-500 Eswatini Lilangeni (about USD 10-25) for subpar experiences. They may lead visitors off official paths, increasing risks of wildlife encounters, and disappear without refunds if issues arise.

In Mbabane's city center near the Royal Villas or bus ranks, taxi drivers tamper with meters to run faster, charging up to 150 Eswatini Lilangeni (about USD 8) for a short 5-10 km ride that should cost 50-80 Lilangeni. They target tourists unfamiliar with local fares, especially at night or during events like the Umhlanga Reed Dance.

In Manzini's bustling market near the bus terminal, vendors sell traditional items like woven baskets or beadwork, quoting prices in Eswatini Lilangeni (e.g., 100 Lilangeni or USD 5), but then shortchange buyers by swapping notes or claiming errors during haggling. They exploit tourists' distraction in crowded stalls, often near the Manzini Club.

In Lobamba, at the Swazi Cultural Village near the Emabutfo Regiment grounds, unofficial ticket sellers charge tourists up to 300 Eswatini Lilangeni (about USD 15) for events like traditional dances, double the official 150 Lilangeni rate, by claiming special access or using counterfeit tickets during peak seasons like Incwala Ceremony.