How do I get an International Driving Permit for Eswatini?

An International Driver’s Permit (IDP) is a document that translates your valid driver’s license into 12 of the widely used languages in the world. It enables local authorities to understand all the information that’s written on your driver’s license when you travel to other countries like Lesotho, Botswana, Namibia, South African countries, etc.

This document was agreed upon by the United Nations during the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.

To get yours, you only need to answer our short quiz, fill out your application form, attach a copy of your valid home country driver’s license, credit card,

Please note that it will only be valid when accompanied by a valid driver’s license. If you cannot prepare this and all your travel documents, chances are you won’t be allowed to drive or rent a vehicle in the country. Although there is an alternative to this wherein you can hire a chauffeur through a car hire service. Do note that they will only be available to drive you for a limited time.

Then Swaziland, now Eswatini, is a landlocked nation in the Southern African region, between Mozambique and South Africa. Tourists who travel overland would sometimes overlook this hidden beauty because of its size and geographical location. Don’t make the same mistake, or you’ll miss out on one of the best African escapades you could ever dream about. Eswatini flaunts one of the most scenic views you could sight in Southern Africa, as well as impressive nature parks and reserves.

Lobamba

One of Eswatini’s capital cities, Lobamba, sits in the beautiful Ezulwini Valley and is dubbed as its cultural center. It’s also a royal city as it’s home to Eswatini’s monarchy. Explore the facade of Lobamba Royal Village with the Royal Kraal. You can tour the Parliament building and dig more into the country’s history and culture by visiting the National Museum. You can check out the Somhlolo Stadium, where major cultural events, ceremonies, sports, and concerts are held.

Mbabane

Also, one of Eswatini’s two capital cities, Mbabane, is a literal cool place to visit. The Swazi Market is popular among tourists who love to shop for souvenirs. You’ll see the locals’ artistic side through handcrafted goods such as pottery, stone carvings, beaded jewelry, baskets, textiles, and traditional fabrics. Explore the north in the Pine Valley, and pass by the scenic route in the Umbeluzi River, where you’ll see impressive waterfalls.

Mbuluzi Game Reserve

Getting around this reserve must be taken with caution as the Mlawula River within the area is filled with crocodiles. You can rent tents and lodges overnight and go on a wildlife safari, getting up close with a giraffe, jackal, kudu, zebra, wildebeest, and nyala. During the night, you can spot hyena, genets, servals, and honey badgers, under the peaceful night sky. Birding is also fascinating as 300 species are sheltered here, including the strikingly beautiful Narina trogon.

Hlane Royal National Park

The 22,000-hectare wilderness of Hlane National Park is a wildlife safari haven as it’s home to elephants, lions, and rhinos. You can explore the area to see the mammals, and spot birds from different species, including white-backed vultures of the African continent. The fun doesn’t stop at seeing the wildlife; you can also go mountain hiking, and visit a cultural Swazi village nearby. Accommodations within the area are open to tourists who wish to stay overnight.

Mlawula Nature Reserve

This scenic nature reserve offers a transitional journey as it stretches from Lowveld up into the Lebombo Mountains, where you can pass by different sceneries from dry savanna to green valleys and riverine forests. Within Mlawla, you’ll see 60 animal species including kudu, impala, wildebeest, and tortoises. Over 350 bird species also thrive here, and different varieties of plants. You can safely wander the hiking trails here as there are no roaming lions and elephants to scare you.

Some minor roads in Eswatini are poorly-maintained, but the quality of your road adventure does not solely depend on the road condition, it’s also determined by your obedience to traffic laws, which only aims to protect drivers from any possible accidents inflicted by negligence of the road rules. Eswatini has a simple set of rules you can follow, even as a foreign driver. Below are some of the most important driving rules in the country.

Always carry your native driver’s license and IDP

Two of the most important driving documents to carry while accessing Eswatini’s public roads are your native driving license and IDP. With an international driver's licence for Eswatini, districts that are not accessible by public transportations are easily reachable with self-driven cars. It’s a direct translation of your native driver’s license into twelve widely spoken languages, most commonly understood by local officers.

An IDP from the International Drivers Association is affordable, which comes with different validity durations. At $49, you can get a one-year validity, $54 gives you a two-year validity, and $59 gives you a three-year validity. To start your application for an international driver’s licence for Eswatini, contact the number found on, our contact page.

Don’t go beyond indicated speed limits

Eswatini’s traffic law limits speed on public roads to 80 km/h on open roads, 60 km/h in towns, and 120 km/h on the highways. Reasonable speeding is only valid if you’re driving an ambulance or an emergency or rescue vehicle. Otherwise, going beyond the indicated speed limits, even on open roads, will get you fined for violating the road rule. Be careful accessing remote areas as pedestrians tend to cross the road without warning. You should be extra careful to avoid road accidents to avoid extra charges from your car rental supplier. Following this rule can help you avoid a confrontation at the police station.

Follow blood alcohol content limit

Or don’t drink at all; if you do, you must not have more than 50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood in your system. The law prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol, as this could cause drivers to be more aggressive at driving or neglectful of driving rules. If you're caught in an accident, you will be asked to do a breathalyzer test at the police station. Drunk driving has been one of the leading causes of traffic accidents, which sometimes result in deaths. Don’t drink and drive, and make the road a safe and friendly zone for you and your fellow drivers.