Things to Do in Eswatini in March
March weather, activities, events & insider tips
March Weather in Eswatini
Is March Right for You?
Advantages
- Late summer harvest season means incredible fresh produce at markets - you'll find the best wild herbs, marula fruits, and traditional vegetables like imifino at their peak, plus locals are celebrating the abundance with community feasts
- Wildlife viewing hits a sweet spot where animals are still concentrated around water sources but vegetation is starting to green up, making game drives in Hlane and Mkhaya particularly rewarding with easier spotting than the thick bush of full summer
- School is back in session after summer holidays, so major attractions like Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and craft markets have noticeably fewer crowds than January-February, yet weather is still warm enough for all outdoor activities
- Cultural events ramp up as communities prepare for the April harvest celebrations - you'll catch authentic reed dance rehearsals, traditional beer brewing demonstrations, and pre-Incwala ceremonies that tourists rarely witness
Considerations
- Rain patterns are genuinely unpredictable in March - you might get a week of daily afternoon thunderstorms or barely any rain at all, and those storms can be intense with lightning that temporarily closes outdoor activities for 30-45 minutes
- Humidity stays consistently high at 70 percent throughout the day, which makes midday hiking more exhausting than you'd expect from the temperature alone - that 26°C (79°F) feels closer to 30°C (86°F) when you're walking uphill
- Some dirt roads in rural areas, particularly in the Lowveld region around Big Bend, can become challenging after heavy rain - standard 2WD vehicles occasionally struggle, and you might need to adjust plans if accessing remote homesteads or community tourism projects
Best Activities in March
Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary guided walks and mountain biking
March weather is actually ideal for the sanctuary's extensive trail network - mornings are cool enough at 16-18°C (61-64°F) for comfortable hiking, and the mixed grass heights mean you'll spot warthogs, zebras, and antelope more easily than in peak summer's tall grass. The afternoon rain typically holds off until 3-4pm, giving you a solid morning window. Mountain bike trails are in excellent condition since the ground has dried from February's heavier rains but isn't yet dusty.
Mantenga Cultural Village and Sibebe Rock hiking combination
March's variable weather actually works in your favor here - start early at Mantenga Cultural Village when it's cooler for the traditional homestead tour and dance performances, then tackle Sibebe Rock (the world's second-largest granite dome) in late morning before afternoon storms. The rock face dries quickly after rain, and March's cloud cover provides natural breaks from the UV index of 8. Locals say March is when the rock 'breathes' with mist in the mornings, creating dramatic photography conditions.
Malkerns Valley craft route and farm visits
The craft route between Manzini and Ezulwini is perfect for March's unpredictable weather since you can duck into workshops when rain hits. This is actually peak season for seeing artisans at work - candle makers at Swazi Candles have full production runs preparing for winter export orders, glass blowers are creating new collections, and textile artists are weaving with fresh-dyed fabrics. March is also when small farms harvest late summer crops, and several offer informal tours showing traditional farming methods alongside modern permaculture.
Hlane Royal National Park game drives
March sits in that perfect window where animals haven't fully dispersed from dry season water sources but the park isn't crowded with school holiday visitors. You'll reliably see lions, elephants, and rhinos on morning drives when temperatures are pleasant at 18-20°C (64-68°F). The park's guided vehicle safaris are mandatory for predator areas, and March's variable cloud cover means animals are often active later into the morning than the harsh summer months. Bird watching is exceptional as migrants are still present before heading north.
Ngwenya Glass factory visits and Malolotja hiking
The northwestern highlands around Ngwenya offer cooler March temperatures - often 4-5°C (7-9°F) lower than the valleys - making it ideal for serious hiking in Malolotja Nature Reserve. The reserve's waterfalls are still flowing strongly from summer rains, and wildflowers are at their peak in early March. Pair this with watching glass blowers at Ngwenya Glass create pieces from recycled glass - it's Eswatini's oldest craft export and genuinely fascinating to watch the 1200°C (2192°F) furnaces at work. The factory tour provides perfect shelter if afternoon storms roll through.
Manzini Market and Ezulwini Valley food experiences
March is harvest time, so Manzini Market overflows with seasonal produce you won't see other months - fresh marula fruits (used for traditional beer), wild greens like imifino, and the last of summer's maize. Thursday and Friday are biggest market days when rural vendors bring goods to sell before the weekend. The market operates regardless of weather under covered areas, and the energy is incredible. Combine this with trying traditional Swazi cuisine at local spots in Ezulwini - March's humidity actually enhances flavors in dishes like sishwala (maize porridge) and sidvudvu (pumpkin leaves).
March Events & Festivals
Marula Festival preparations and traditional brewing
While the main Marula Festival typically happens in late February, March is when communities continue celebrating the marula harvest with smaller local gatherings. You'll find traditional marula beer (buganu) being brewed in homesteads, and some lodges organize visits to watch the fermentation process and taste the mildly alcoholic beverage. It's not a formal tourist event but rather authentic community celebrations - ask your accommodation about any scheduled community gatherings in March.
Pre-Incwala ceremony rehearsals
Though the main Incwala ceremony happens in December-January, March sees various preparatory activities and smaller ceremonies as communities maintain the ritual calendar. You might witness bemanti (water fetchers) training or hear traditional songs being practiced. These aren't open tourist events, but if you're staying in rural areas or visiting cultural villages, guides can sometimes arrange respectful observation of public aspects with proper protocol.