What animals live in Eswatini?

Eswatini is a small kingdom in southern Africa, and it is packed with remarkable wildlife! Hlane Royal National Park is home to white rhinos, elephants, lions, and leopards. Hippos splash around in the rivers too, which is always a sight to see. Smaller creatures are just as interesting — vervet monkeys chatter in the trees, crocodiles lurk near the water's edge, and hundreds of bird species fill the sky, including the majestic bateleur eagle. God made every one of these creatures, and the people of Eswatini live alongside this wild world every day. When missionaries travel through Eswatini sharing the gospel, they cross paths with all of it!

What do kids eat in Eswatini?

Herman here, with Rusty looking over my shoulder! Kids in Eswatini eat a lot of a thick porridge called 'sitshwala,' which is made from maize meal — sort of like very stiff grits. It is the heart of most meals, and families eat it together almost every day. Rusty wants to add that sitshwala is usually eaten with a scoop of cooked greens called 'imifino,' or sometimes with beans, sour milk, or a little bit of meat when a family can afford it. Eswatini is a small, beautiful kingdom in southern Africa, and many families there are quite poor, so a simple bowl of sitshwala is a real gift. Missionaries and local churches work hard to share both food and the good news of Jesus with families in need.

How do people say hello in Eswatini?

In Eswatini, most people speak a language called siSwati. The most common greeting is 'Sawubona,' which means 'I see you.' It is a warm way of saying that the other person matters to you. If you are greeting more than one person at the same time, you would say 'Sanibonani' instead. People in Eswatini take greetings seriously — it is considered respectful to stop, look at the person, and greet them properly before starting any conversation. That is something Herman and Rusty think people everywhere could learn from!

What sports or games do kids play in Eswatini?

Kids in Eswatini love football — what many countries call soccer — more than almost any other sport. You'll find kids kicking a ball around on open fields, dirt patches, and schoolyards all across the country. Running races and athletics are popular too, especially at school competitions. Traditional games are still part of growing up in Eswatini as well. Kids play a game called 'kgati,' which is a rope-jumping game using a long rope — think of it like jump rope but with more players and more rhythm. Board-style games played with stones and holes in the ground, similar to a game called mancala, are enjoyed in many parts of southern Africa too. These games remind us that kids everywhere love to play, laugh, and compete — and that same joy is a gift from God to children all around the world.

What's the weather like in Eswatini?

Eswatini is a small kingdom in southern Africa, and its weather changes quite a bit depending on where you stand in the country. The western highlands are cooler and get more rain, while the lower eastern areas stay warmer and drier. Summer runs from November to February, which is the rainy season — expect afternoon thunderstorms that roll in fast over the hills. Winter in Eswatini, from June to August, is dry and can get surprisingly cold at night in the highlands, sometimes dropping close to freezing. The Swazi people often grow maize, sugarcane, and citrus fruit, and the rains matter a great deal for those harvests. It is a land of green valleys and rugged ridges — the kind of place that looks different from every hilltop you climb.

Tell me a fun fact about Eswatini.

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Eswatini is one of the last countries in the world ruled by an absolute monarch — a king who has real governing power. The current king, King Mswati III, has led the country since 1986, and the nation is even named after his father, King Sobhuza II, whose name 'Swati' became the root of the word 'Eswatini.' Rusty wants to add this gem: Eswatini is a tiny, landlocked country completely surrounded by just two neighbors — South Africa and Mozambique. Even though it is small enough to drive across in a few hours, it has three different climate zones, from misty highlands to warm lowlands, which means farmers can grow a wide variety of crops. It is a small place with a big story!

What is school like for kids in Eswatini?

In Eswatini, most children go to school in small buildings, sometimes with many kids packed into one classroom. School is taught in siSwati when children are young, and then switches to English as they get older — so kids there are learning two languages at once! Many families find it hard to pay school fees, which means some children have to miss school or stop going altogether. That is a real challenge. But there are Christians and churches working to help children stay in school and learn, because they know that reading and thinking well helps people understand the Bible too.

Who are the unreached people in Eswatini?

Herman here, with Rusty nodding along! Most people in Eswatini call themselves Christian, but a smaller group — many of them South Asian families whose ancestors came as traders and merchants — have little real connection to the gospel of Jesus. These communities often follow Islam or Hinduism, and most have never had a close friend or neighbor share with them who Jesus truly is. Rusty wants to add that 'unreached' means a people group without enough local believers or churches to spread the good news on their own — they need someone to bring it to them. In Eswatini, these South Asian communities are small but precious to God. Pray that Swazi Christians and missionaries would find open doors to share Jesus with these neighbors, and that whole families would come to trust Him as Savior.

How can I pray for the people of Eswatini?

Herman and Rusty are glad you asked! Eswatini is a small kingdom in southern Africa, and many people there have heard the name of Jesus — but hearing a name and truly trusting Him as Savior are different things. You can pray that the gospel goes deep into people's hearts, not just their traditions, so they know Jesus personally. There are also local churches in Eswatini that need prayer to grow strong and faithful to God's Word. Pray for Swazi Christian leaders who are teaching their own people — that God raises up more of them with courage and wisdom. And pray for children and families across Eswatini to come to know Jesus in a real way, because He is the best thing any person in any country can ever find.

What is a holiday or celebration in Eswatini?

One of the most well-known celebrations in Eswatini is Incwala, sometimes called the 'First Fruits Ceremony.' It happens in late December or early January and marks the beginning of the harvest season. The king plays a very important role, and young men travel from across the country to take part. It is tied deeply to traditional Swazi beliefs about the king and the land. There is also the Umhlanga Reed Dance, held in August or September, where thousands of young women cut reeds and bring them to the Queen Mother's village. It is a way of honoring her and celebrating Swazi culture. Many people in Eswatini are Christians, and some churches hold their own gatherings and festivals to worship Jesus alongside these national traditions. Missionaries and local believers there work hard to help people understand that Jesus is the true King worth celebrating every day of the year.

What language do people speak in Eswatini?

Great question! In Eswatini, people speak two main languages: siSwati and English. SiSwati is the heart language — the one people use at home, in songs, and around the fire with family. It belongs to the Bantu language family, which is spoken across a large part of southern and eastern Africa. English is also an official language, so it is used in schools, government, and business. The good news is that the Bible has been translated into siSwati, which means people can read about Jesus in the language that feels closest to their hearts. When God's Word speaks to someone in their own language, it goes deep — and that is a real gift.

What's a famous place to visit in Eswatini?

One of the most well-known places in Eswatini is Hlane Royal National Park, where you can see white rhinos, elephants, and lions roaming across the open savanna. It sits in the northeastern part of the country and gives visitors a real look at the wild landscape God packed into this small nation. Another remarkable spot is Sibebe Rock, one of the largest exposed granite domes on earth — a massive, smooth hill that rises up out of the ground like a giant stone bubble. People come from all over to hike up its steep sides and look out over the green valleys of Eswatini below. The country may be tiny, but its land is full of things worth seeing.

Eswatini — Kids Missions Explorer

African Lion

Hlane Royal National Park in Eswatini protects one of the few wild lion populations in southern Africa, and rangers track these cats on foot through the bush.

Lilac-Breasted Roller

This striking bird flashes eight colors of feathers as it dives through the air and is one of the most recognizable sights along Eswatini's open grasslands.

Emasi

This thick, soured milk has a tangy flavor and is eaten on its own or stirred into porridge — it has been a daily staple in Swati homes for generations.

Sishwala

A stiff maize porridge cooked until dense and filling, sishwala is the backbone of most traditional Swati meals and is eaten with hands scooped into a shared pot.

Umncweba

This dried, spiced beef — similar to jerky — is chewy and deeply savory, made by hanging strips of meat in the sun and wind to cure slowly.

Eswatini

Things you should know about Eswatini

Wildlife you might meet

What’s on the table

Did you know?

Life in Eswatini

Missions in Eswatini

Pray for Eswatini