Things to Do in Eswatini in June
June weather, activities, events & insider tips
June Weather in Eswatini
Is June Right for You?
Advantages
- Peak wildlife viewing season - June is deep winter in Eswatini, which means animals congregate around water sources in Hlane Royal National Park and Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. The grass is short and dry, making it ridiculously easy to spot white rhino, elephant, and antelope compared to the thick vegetation of summer months.
- Umhlanga Reed Dance preparation period - While the main ceremony happens in late August/early September, June is when you'll see communities preparing reeds and practicing dances. It's actually more interesting than the crowded main event because you can interact with locals without the tourist circus, and accommodation prices haven't spiked yet.
- Perfect hiking weather with bone-dry trails - The Malolotja Nature Reserve trails are at their absolute best in June. Morning temperatures around 8°C (46°F) warm up to comfortable 23°C (73°F) afternoons, there's virtually no rain to turn paths muddy, and the crisp winter air means you can see for miles from the highveld viewpoints at 1,800 m (5,905 ft) elevation.
- Low season pricing before the July-August rush - June sits in that sweet spot after Easter holidays but before South African school holidays flood the country in July. You'll find lodge rates 20-30% lower than peak season, and you can book quality accommodation just a week or two out instead of the months ahead you'd need in winter peak.
Considerations
- Genuinely cold mornings require layered clothing - That 8°C (46°F) morning temperature isn't a joke when you're on a 6am game drive in an open vehicle. First-timers from tropical countries consistently underestimate how cold southern African winter mornings get, and you can't just duck into a heated building in the middle of Hlane.
- Limited water-based activities - The rivers and waterfalls that make Eswatini beautiful in summer are reduced to trickles or dry beds by June. Forget about swimming in natural pools or seeing Mantenga Falls at full flow. If water activities are your thing, you've picked the wrong month.
- Afternoon haze from controlled burns - June is when farmers and parks conduct controlled burns to clear old grass, which means you'll often get a smoky haze by mid-afternoon. It's not dangerous, but it does reduce visibility for photography and can irritate sensitive airways. The air clears overnight, so mornings are crisp and clear.
Best Activities in June
Big game viewing drives in Hlane Royal National Park
June is genuinely the best month for wildlife viewing in Eswatini's lowveld reserves. The winter drought concentrates animals around the few remaining water sources, and the short dry grass means you're not squinting through thick vegetation trying to spot that elephant 30 m (98 ft) away. Morning drives starting at 6am give you the best light and most active animals, though you'll need serious layers for that initial cold. White rhino sightings are practically guaranteed, and you've got decent odds of spotting lion if you're patient. The lack of summer crowds means you're not queueing behind five other vehicles at every sighting.
Multi-day hiking in Malolotja Nature Reserve
The highveld trails in Malolotja are spectacular in June precisely because it's winter. The trails are completely dry - no muddy sections, no swollen river crossings, no afternoon thunderstorms cutting your hike short. You're walking at elevations between 1,400-1,800 m (4,593-5,905 ft), and the winter clarity means you can see into South Africa and across to the Lubombo Mountains on clear days. The 3-day Malolotja Trail takes you through proper wilderness with overnight huts, and you'll likely have it mostly to yourself. Temperatures are perfect for sustained hiking - cool enough that you're not overheating on climbs, warm enough by midday that you can lunch comfortably.
Cultural village experiences in the Ezulwini Valley
June is actually ideal for cultural tourism because you're catching communities during the Reed Dance preparation season. Women are cutting reeds, practicing songs, and preparing traditional attire, and they're generally happy to explain the process to genuinely interested visitors. The cooler weather makes walking between homesteads and craft markets more pleasant than the brutal summer heat. Mantenga Cultural Village and Swazi Cultural Village offer structured experiences with traditional dancing and homestead tours, while the Ezulwini Valley craft markets let you watch artisans working on soapstone carvings and sisal baskets without the summer tourist crowds pushing through.
Mountain biking on Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary trails
Mlilwane has about 20 km (12.4 miles) of bike-friendly trails winding through the sanctuary, and June conditions are perfect - firm dry trails, comfortable temperatures once you warm up, and wildlife that's easy to spot in the short grass. You're cycling among zebra, warthog, and antelope with Nyonyane Mountain as your backdrop. The sanctuary is completely safe for unguided cycling since there are no dangerous predators, which is pretty rare for African wildlife reserves. Start mid-morning around 9am when it's warmed to 15°C (59°F) and you've got comfortable riding temperatures through early afternoon.
White-water rafting on the Great Usutu River
This might surprise you given June is the dry season, but the Great Usutu River maintains decent flow year-round, and winter is actually preferable for rafting. You're dealing with consistent Grade 3-4 rapids without the unpredictable flash floods that can happen in summer. The water is cold - around 15°C (59°F) - but outfitters provide wetsuits. The bigger advantage is that you're not baking in the sun between rapids, and the cooler air temperature makes the physical exertion more comfortable. The full-day trips cover about 18 km (11.2 miles) and include lunch on the riverbank.
Candle factory tours and glassblowing workshops
When those afternoon burns create hazy conditions or if you hit one of June's occasional rainy days, the Swazi Candles craft center and Ngwenya Glass factory make excellent alternatives. Watching artisans create intricate animal-shaped candles or blow recycled glass into wildlife sculptures is genuinely interesting, and the workshops are warm - which you'll appreciate on a cold June morning. Both are located along the Malkerns Valley craft route, and you can easily combine them with several other craft stops in a half-day circuit. The glassblowing demonstrations happen every 30-45 minutes throughout the day.
June Events & Festivals
King Mswati III Birthday Celebrations
April 19 is the official King's Birthday holiday, but June sometimes sees community celebrations and traditional ceremonies connected to royal events. These aren't tourist-focused events - they're genuine community gatherings with traditional dress, dancing, and feasting. If you happen to be near Lobamba during any royal ceremonies, it's worth attending respectfully, but don't plan your entire trip around catching one as schedules aren't published far in advance.