South Africa is sometimes referred to as “the world in one country” or the “rainbow nation” because of its exceptional variety of scenery, cultures, people and attractions. From world-class cities to beautiful beaches, from rugged mountains and lush forests to the scenic winelands, from its vibrant cultures and friendly people to its magnificent wildlife and game reserves, South Africa has something for everyone. It is a fascinating country of contrasts - wealth and poverty, success and failure, challenges and opportunities, a melting pot of cultures and experiences where the first world meets the third. Known as a destination of sunshine, big five game viewing, rich culture and history, stunning scenery and some of Africa’s best safari lodges, South Africa is a favourite “must visit again” destination for many return visitors, and the most popular travel destination in Africa. Be prepared to fall in love with South Africa!
Banking and Currency
The currency is the South African Rand (ZAR), which is divided into 100 cents. ATM's and banks are plentiful and most major credit cards are widely accepted so you don't need to carry a lot of cash on you.
Travel, Transport and Getting Around
South Africa has a very good road network and getting around in South Africa is relatively easy. On a guided tour, you won't have to worry about transport as we will make all the arrangements. On a self-drive tour, we recommend getting a GPS with your rental car or using google maps on your phone. We drive on the left, same as the UK.
Public transport is not great, and we do not recommend that tourists use commuter taxis or commuter trains, with the exception of the Gautrain rail system in Johannesburg, which is world class and very safe. Cape Town has a decent public bus system called MyCiti. Apart from a few luxury rail products such as Rovos Rail, train travel in South Africa can be dodgy and is not tourist-friendly.
Local airlines are very good and South Africa's air safety record is excellent. Low cost airlines like Kulula, Safair and Mango are all safe and reliable, offering affordable flights between major cities, although some local routes serviced by Airlink and SA Express are rather expensive.
Health and Medical Information
No compulsory vaccinations are required for travel to South Africa, but if you plan to visit other destinations in Africa as well, please consult with your travel clinic or doctor regarding vaccinations. For example, a Yellow Fever vaccine may be required to enter South Africa if you have travelled to countries where Yellow Fever occurs. While most Covid regulations have been dropped, a few countries may still require proof of Covid vaccination. During a pandemic, your destination country or a transit country or your home country may require that you provide proof of vaccination or a recent negative PCR test. It is your responsibility to find out what your home country and any transit country’s entry requirements are. If your trip includes areas where malaria is endemic, we recommend that you take anti-malaria tablets as prescribed by your doctor, pharmacist or travel clinic. If you suffer from any medical conditions that may affect you or your participation on this tour, please inform us about this on your booking form. You are responsible for bringing any prescription medication you may need. We accept no responsibility for any medical conditions, illnesses or related incidents that may occur during your safari, even if we have been fully informed about your condition. Please alert us in advance to any serious medical conditions, allergies, mobility issues or disabilities.
Safety Notices
Do not let concerns about safety put you off from visiting South Africa. From a tourist perspective, South Africa is perfectly safe to visit, provided you follow basic precautions and avoid known high risk areas. South Africa has a high crime rate due to high levels of poverty and unemployment, but tourists are seldom affected. In 15 years we've never had an incident of violent crime affecting one of our clients. Your travel guide, which will be sent along with your booking confirmation, will have some helpful tips and safety guidelines to follow. Please see our blog posts about safety and security for more detail
Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice
Standards of hygiene in relation to food health and safety in South Africa, are generally high in hotels, restaurants, pubs and nightspots. Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink and cook with when taken from taps in urban areas. Not all tap water in rural areas is safe for consumption, so take precautions if necessary.
It is safe to eat fresh fruit, vegetables and salads, and put ice in your drinks. South Africa's fish, meat and chicken are of excellent quality, so there is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine.
Be careful when buying street food, as informal traders do not always comply to the same standards and health requirements as licensed restaurants.
Climate and Weather
South Africa typically has a mild, sunny climate (average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day). Temperatures, which are measured in centigrade, average at daytime highs of 28°C-30°C to average nighttime lows of 8°C-10°C in the summer months, while winter temperatures range from around 0°C-8°C at night to around 16°C-22°C in the day. Average annual rainfall is on the low side at under 500mm a year, making the country somewhat dry. Cape Town and the Western Cape gets most of its rain in the winter, while the rest of the country experiences summer rainfall. On the plus side, the South African climate boasts more than its fair share of sunshine, recording an average of 8.5 hours a day.
Clothing and Dress Recommendations
South Africa is relaxed about clothing - there is no need to dress up. In summer, bring clothes that are cool, light and comfortable because summer temperatures can get well into the 30 - 40 degree Celsius range in some areas. Also bring a small umbrella or raincoat, and don't forget a swimming costume (bathing suit).
The winters are generally mild, and we seldom get snow except in the high mountains, but it can get pretty cold in places, for example on top of Table Mountain. Early morning game drives on an open safari vehicle will also require warm layers, including a windbreaker, gloves and hat or beanie. Dress in layers so you can shed layers as the day warms up.
Always bring a hat, sunglasses and sunblock as the sun can be strong even in the winter months. Walking shoes are a good idea all year-round, but open sandals are fine in summer. Once you have booked, we will send you more details about what to pack.
Internet Availability
Internet cafes: Yes, mainly in urban areas
Accommodation options: Yes, with good connectivity
Restaurants: Yes, in major cities
Cafes: Yes, with Wi-Fi available
Shopping malls: Yes
Public parks: Yes, in major cities
Libraries: Yes
Electricity and Plug Standards
South Africa uses 220V AC / 50 Hz electricity. Electrical sockets are Type M (three round pins). Please bring a suitable travel adapter and voltage converter if necessary. South Africa's electricity supply sometimes comes under strain when demand exceeds supply, resulting in periods of rotational "load shedding", where electricity to certain areas is switched off for about 2 hours at a time, according to a predictable schedule. We tend to go through seasons of load shedding, and often months without any load shedding. When there is no load shedding, the electricity supply is stable and reliable. During load shedding, many businesses have backup power for critical functions but it may affect things like air-conditioning. It is a good idea to bring a small flashlight.
