Over 26,000 people entered Eswatini ahead of Bushfire weekend

Malkerns — Eswatini recorded 26,774 arrivals in the two days leading up to the 2026 MTN Bushfire Festival, with 32 aircraft touching down at King Mswati III International Airport during the same period.

The Ministry of Home Affairs released the figures covering arrivals at border posts between Thursday, 28 May, and Friday, 29 May.

Ngwenya Border Post recorded the highest traffic with 12,517 arrivals over the two days. Other border posts also recorded significant movement, with Lavumisa logging 2,699 arrivals, Matsamo 2,539, Mahamba 2,100, Mhlumeni 2,042, Lomahasha 2,034, Mananga 1,391 and Sicunusa 561. King Mswati III International Airport contributed 591 arrivals.

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The 2026 total of 26,774 arrivals represented a marginal increase of 31 over the 26,743 recorded during the same period in 2025, when 23 aircraft landed.

Ngwenya’s 2026 figures of 12,517 were 960 fewer than the 13,477 recorded at the same post in 2025, when 6,031 arrivals were logged on the Thursday and 7,446 on the Friday.

Three border posts, namely Nsalitje, Bulembu and Sandlane, remain under the supervision of the Royal Eswatini Police Service and were not included in the figures. The ministry noted that those posts recorded growing traveller activity and momentum during the festival period, and said their figures would add to the overall picture of visitor inflows into the Kingdom.

The Immigration Department said it remained committed to ensuring smooth border crossings, efficient processing and the safety and security of all attendees throughout the festival weekend.

The Ministry of Home Affairs thanked border officials and stakeholders for their role in facilitating the movement of visitors, commending efforts aimed at ensuring a seamless travel experience for all guests entering the country during the festival period.