Swaziland is the small kingdom with total monarchy sandwiched between RSA and Mozambique. Climate of the country is transitional between subtropical and tropical. Annual amount of precipitation varies from 500 mm (20”) to 1400 mm (55”) depending on location. Average summertime temperatures are between 20 and 24 °C (68-75 °F). Winter temperatures are 12-15 °C (54-59 °F). October is the hottest month. Once in about 20 years it is even snows here.

Weather of certain part of the kingdom depends on its altitude. Eastern Lowveld (velds – vast stepped plateaus in RSA) territories are warmest and driest while Highveld is colder with averages between 16 and 22 °C. Midveld is transitional area with optimal weather conditions.

Weather and Climate

Spring in Swaziland

Spring months are good time to visit the kingdom. Precipitation at spring decreases from 6 rainy days at March to 1 at May. Along with precipitation air humidity decreases too. Combined with cooling air those features create pleasant warm weather. Daytime averages are slowly going down from 27-31 °C (81-88 °F) at March to 24-26 °C (75-79 °F) at May.

Spring is good time to visit Swaziland. The kingdom isn’t spoiled by attention of tourists thus pricings there are rather fair especially comparing to other countries in South Africa. Travelers should mind cool nights (from 18 °C (64 °F) at March to 8 °C (46 °F) at May) and pack some respective clothes for layering.

The climate of the spring months

(Mbabane)

March Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 141 mm (5.6")

April Max average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (53 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 76 mm (3.0")

May Max average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (47 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 36 mm (1.4")

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Spring holidays

Easter celebrations with variable dates at April-March.

April 19 – Birthday of King Mswati III.
April 25 – National Flag Day.

May 1 – Labour Day.
May 17 – Ascension.

Summer in Swaziland

The kingdom is located in South Hemisphere and here is winter by its weather conditions. It is the best time to go to the country. Daytime temperature is in pleasant range of 22-26 °C (72-79 °F) and air humidity is moderate. Nights are cool though with around 10 °C (50 °F). The capital (the official one, Mbabane) is colder with 20 °C (68 °F) at day and 9-11 °C (48-52 °F) at night.

After mid-August weather averages start to crawl up in annual graph. Precipitation increases yet its amount isn’t concerning. There are lots of things to do. Safari on horses, local customs and untouched nature itself are attractive. In addition Swaziland unlike other tourist countries isn’t “spoiled” yet. Locals won’t bother visitors with gouging or rise pricing to the skies.

The climate of the summer months

(Mbabane)

June Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (42 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 19 mm (0.75")

July Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (42 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 22 mm (0.9")

August Max average t°: +21 °C (69 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (45 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 29 mm (1.1")

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Summer holidays

July 22 – Birthday of the Late King Sobhuza.

August (announced two weeks before the start) – Umhlanga reed dance

Autumn in Swaziland

During autumn rains are gaining their momentum. Amount of days with significant precipitation grows from 6 at September to 14 at November. Temperature averages are 26-30 °C (79-86 °F). Despite significant rainfall humidity is moderate and temperatures are feeling only bit warmer than they are. Nights are almost as cool as they were before with 10 to 13 °C (50-55 °F).

Already fail tourists flow starts to drain at this season. Only those enthralled with bird observations are packing to visit Swaziland at late autumn or winter when migratory species are heading back to the kingdom.

The climate of the autumn months

(Mbabane)

September Max average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (49 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 62 mm (2.4")

October Max average t°: +23.5 °C (74 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 117 mm (4.6")

November Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +13 °C (56 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 14 days Precipitation: 171 mm (6.7")

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Autumn holidays

September 6 – Somhlolo Day (Independence Day).

September (announced two weeks before the start) – Umhlanga reed dance

Winter in Swaziland

Antipode summer meets visitors with warmth and rains. Daytime averages of the season are 28-32 °C (82-90 °F) except January when temperature is higher by couple degrees. Each winter month have 11-13 days with precipitation with peak at January. Grown air humidity makes temperatures less comfortable thus having option it would be better to plan voyage to Swaziland on another season.

All in all Swaziland is worth visiting for its magnificent nature, peculiar local customs and political system. However visitors should be cautious to extreme level of HIV/AIDS in the country. It is rather tragic than dangerous circumstance. Simple precautions will make visit completely safe though every fourth local is infected.

The climate of the winter months

(Mbabane)

December Max average t°: +24 °C (76 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (58 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 13 days Precipitation: 195 mm (7.8")

January Max average t°: +25 °C (76 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 13 days Precipitation: 229 mm (9.0")

February Max average t°: +25 °C (76 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 198 mm (7.8")

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Winter holidays

December (to be announced) – Incwala Day.
December 25 – Christmas Day.
December 26 – Boxing Day.

January 1 – New Year's Day.