This Update: July 2021
AN OVERVIEW
South Africa is one of the most culturally and geographically diverse places on earth. Each of its 9 provinces have their own unique flavour from the hot and almost barren Limpopo to the wide savannahs of the Northwest Province, while the Western Cape and Gauteng are complete opposites, from the laid back to the ‘never sleep’, the wild and often harsh Western Cape is also a stark contrast to the spectacular forests, mountains, valleys and waterfalls of Mpumalanga. The people are just as diverse. South Africa is fondly known as the 'Rainbow Nation'. While English is the language in which all legal documents and government proceedings are conducted in, there are in fact, 11 official languages. Many South Africans can speak a minimum of 2 and sometimes 3 languages – English, Afrikaans, and their mother tongue.
The vast majority of the population are black, the rest are made up of Europeans – historically English or Dutch, Coloureds, Indians or Asians. While for overseas visitors the term ‘coloureds’ may seem offensive, the majority of the mixed-race population see ‘coloured’ as the best definition of their own as it stems from the very beginning of South Africa’s history – a mixed lineage of indigenous Khoisan, African slaves from other parts of the continent and white settlers. The black population is divided into four major ethnic groups – Nguni, Sotho (pronounced Sutu), Shangaan-Tsonga, and Venda. Zulu and Xhosa (pronounced Khosa) are the largest tribes within the Nguni group. The largest population of Indians outside of India live in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province.
Becoming the South Africa of today wasn’t an easy ride and one of the miracles of the country is that after an often-tragic past, its people are some of the friendliest, to visitors and to each other, that you will find on the African continent.
Explore the country’s history through the battlefields dotted all over the land, the Apartheid Museum, the Cape Town Castle, the District 6 Museum, Simon’s Town Museum, the Settlers Museum and Robben Island, among many others. Every population group’s history, culture, food, language, and music have contributed to making South Africa the ‘Rainbow Nation’. Exploring this magical place will take you to gourmet restaurants, impressive art galleries, vibrant nightlife, a delicious braai (barbecue) almost anywhere but especially in Soweto, and into the bush. You can browse the bustling Indian markets in Durban, discover the delights of the strangely named Bunny Chow (no bunnies included), or sample some of the world’s finest wines at one of the many world-class, and award-winning, famous Cape Winelands estates.
As varied and beautiful as the population is the country itself. In between the sometimes snow-bound highlands of Hogsback, Golden Gate National Park or Sani Pass to the hot, dry, stark landscape of the Karoo, you will find some of the most stunning lush and wildlife-rich places on earth. Places like the Blyde River Canyon - the largest green canyon in the world, the 2nd largest canyon in Africa and the 3rd largest on earth. If beaches are more your thing, South Africa is surrounded on 3 sides by some of the wildest, most beautiful and varied beaches to be found anywhere on the planet.
Africa is famous for its wildlife and South Africa has some of the largest populations outside of the Serengeti and Botswana. The game parks, such as the world-famous Kruger National Park, are world-class, as are the guides, lodges and camps within them.
South Africa is a must-see for world travellers!
Entry Requirements
SPECIAL MENTION: South African Rules on Travelling with Minor Children
The new rules regarding travel to South Africa with minor children:
Whether a child needs to present their birth certificate when visiting or departing from South Africa depends on the child’s nationality:
- South African children traveling on a South African passport do need to carry their unabridged birth certificate to enter the country
- Foreign visa-exempt children will no longer need to present their birth certificate nor parental consent letters
- Foreign visa-required children will have their birth certificate processed during their visa application, and no longer have to produce the document for inspection at the airport upon arrival
Several years ago unabridged birth certificates were introduced as a travel requirement for minors arriving in South Africa in 2015. This document was initially required to help prevent child trafficking.
However, on Friday, November 8th, 2019, South African government officials announced that birth certificates and consent letters are no longer required for foreign children traveling with their parents to enter the country.
The birth certificate requirement for South Africa is eliminated when children visit the country with their mother and father carrying a valid passport on which the child’s parents are registered as such.
Banking and Currency
Currency
South Africa’s currency is the Rand. One Rand is made up of 100 cents. South African Rand notes currently come in the following denominations: 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c.
The Banks of South Africa
The main banks in South Africa are Nedbank, FNB, Standard Bank, Bidvest, Capitec, and Absa. Several international banks have branches in the main city centres. Most banks offer foreign exchange services - with cash, bank and credit cards as well as travellers’ cheques. If you are a Bank of America customer ABSA bank, one of the larger banks in South Africa and a member of the Global ATM Alliance is the bank you should use while in the country. You won’t pay an international ATM fee each time you withdraw money.
Credit and Debit Cards
Cards that are welcome are Visa and Mastercard. American Express, Diners Club, and Pre-paid travel cards are not accepted. A debit card could be a good choice as it can be used for over the counter, and online purchases, as well as for ATM withdrawals. Always advise your bank that you are travelling outside of the country as they might block your purchases if they are not informed, as credit card fraud is common in South Africa.
ATM Withdrawals and Cash
It is always wise to have some cash on you for smaller purchases. Cash can be withdrawn from automatic teller machines (ATMs) depending on the card you have. You may be approached to get your money changed by a street vendor in South Africa. Do not do this. Although the rates tend to be better than banks, it is illegal, not to mention dangerous.
Speaking of withdrawing from an ATM, the maximum amount you can withdraw in South Africa is R3 000 at a time and once you have reached that limit you can’t withdraw again that day. To get more money, you would have to visit a bank branch and show an ID. However, don’t carry large amounts of cash around. It’s dangerous and foolhardy. ATMs are available in all cities.
Most ATMs and EFTPOS machines in South Africa accept Mastercard and Visa debit cards, and you will avoid both interest charges and local ATM fees. South African banks don’t charge ATM fees, so try to get a card that waives foreign exchange and international ATM fees to save money on your withdrawals. Many petrol stations have an ATM.
Banking Hours
Banks in South Africa are found in all medium to large towns. They are open for business on weekdays from 09h00 to 15h30. On Saturdays, they are open from 08h00 to 11h00. They are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Travel, Transport and Getting Around
Travelling around South Africa is relatively easy by air, road and rail.
By Air
Several airlines operate domestic routes with regular links between Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, George, and Port Elizabeth and relatively frequent flights to several smaller cities and towns close to game parks like Phalaborwa, Nelspruit and Hoedspruit. Charter flights also land at some game reserves as well.
By Road
If you are driving yourself around South Africa, the most important thing to remember is - TRAFFIC DRIVES ON THE LEFT side of the road, and a valid international driver's licence is essential. Most global car hire firms have branches in South Africa and Uber is available. An extensive tarred road system makes travelling in South Africa by road convenient and easy. In rural areas the roads are mostly gravel and you need to be vigilant if you are passing small towns and villages. Domestic animals such as donkeys, goats and cattle have no road sense whatsoever. Children running across the road are also a hazard. Drive with care through these areas. The best policy is to slow down to 60 kms per hour or less. Stick to the speed limits when driving in South Africa; 60 km/h on a public road within an urban area, 100 km/h on a public road outside an urban area which is not a freeway, and 120 km/h on every freeway.
By Public Transport
Metrobus buses are available for in-city transport. Metered taxis must be ordered by telephone, we would advise using Uber rather than metered taxis for safety and cost reasons. Cape Town has the popular MyCityBus system as well as the Hop-On-Hop-Off tourist bus. This bus also operates in Johannesburg and is one of the best ways to tour both cities. If you want to bus between cities, then Greyhound Citiliner or Intercape are good choices. Both offer a luxury service. Intercape has its Sleepliner, and Greyhound operates the Dreamliner in which all passengers get VIP treatment and space for a good night’s rest, not just those in first-class. Wifi on buses isn’t widespread in South Africa, but air-conditioning is common, even on the basic bus options.
By Rail
The rail system includes the long-haul, inexpensive Shosholoza Meyl Metrorail trains used by the locals, and some more luxurious options such as Rovos Rail and the Blue Train between Pretoria and Cape Town are available. There is also the high-speed Gautrain rapid transit railway system in Gauteng Province. The Gautrain has an OR Tambo Airport (Johannesburg) to Rosebank direct service which is extremely convenient.
Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice
South Africa is a gastronomical delight! From stunning seafood – much of which is exported to the great restaurants of Europe, to thick steaks, delicious authentic curries, Chinese food and nearly all international flavours in between. The fruit and vegetables have to be seen, and tasted, to be believed! Local delights such as babootie, melktert, malva pudding, koeksisters, bunny chow (no bunnies included) and braaied boerewors are some of the most scrumptious and memorable dishes you can enjoy.
From the 5-star restaurants in the international hotels, to breakfasts and dinners cooked over open fires in the game reserves, South Africa’s food is unforgettable. There is no need to limit yourself when enjoying the local cuisine.
The extremely high food health and safety standards in South Africa are subject to South Africa's food safety control legislation which is implemented by local government. Regulations include certification and regular inspections by health inspectors to ensure hygienic standards are maintained.
South Africa is famous for its world-class and award-winning wines and many international brands of alcohol are widely available in cities, towns and even lodges and camps will have a decent if possibly narrow selection. Tap water in South Africa is safe to drink and cook with in urban areas. In rural areas it’s probably best to take precautions such as filtering and boiling the water before drinking it.
Street food is not as common in South Africa as it is in other countries, although vendors selling traditional snacks and meals can be found in city centres and townships. Food safety in such instances cannot always be guaranteed.
Climate and Weather
The weather in South Africa is geographically dependent. As the country is in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are the opposite of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Christmas is hot and enjoyed outdoors, with many South Africans enjoying the long holidays at one of the world-class beaches found on the 3200km long coastline.
South African temperatures are measured in centigrade, with average highs of 28°C and average lows of 8°C in summer while winter temperatures range from 1°C at night to around 18°C in the day. South Africa experiences all 4 seasons – Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Every season in South Africa is approximately 3 months long, at least on the calendar. However, because of the geographical differences found across the country, there are differences in the weather as well. The South African climate boasts more than its fair share of sunshine, recording an average of 8.5 hours a day. The average annual rainfall is on the low side at under 500mm a year, making the country somewhat dry.
Spring (September, October and November)
Spring begins on 1 September and runs until 30 November. The days and nights become progressively warmer. Thanks to the mild weather, with temperatures between 15oC and 20oC, it’s a lovely time of the year and if you are game viewing, you may be lucky enough to spot some of the animals’ new-borns.
Summer (December, January and February)
Summer runs from 1 December to the end of February. Gauteng has summer rainfall, with hot days sometimes rising to 34oC, with cooling showers in the late afternoon. Gauteng is famous for spectacular summer thunderstorms with their vivid and powerful lightning displays. In the Cape, a persistent and dry wind known as the Cape Doctor is often experienced. Local legend says the ‘doctor’ blows away pollution and pestilence. Despite the wind, Cape Town experiences hot dry summers. Temperatures vary across the country, rising to 48ºC in the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga. If you are visiting KwaZulu-Natal, that province’s tropical climate rarely varies more than a few degrees, being hot and humid all year round.
Autumn (March, April and May)
Autumn starts on 1 March until the end of May. There may be some heavy clouds but only light showers. The days are filled with warm to hot sunshine during the day. The nights are usually cool and gradually become even cold. In April, you may experience some foggy days.
Winter (June, July and August)
Winter runs from the end of May to the beginning of September. In Gauteng or the Northwest Province, this is the best time for game viewing as the bush has lost its foliage. If you are visiting the Hogsback or the Drakensberg, temperatures there can plummet way below zero and there is often snow. The Western Cape has windy, wet winters. In Cape Town, the gale-force, north-westerly winter winds are usually accompanied by rain, which can fall for days or even weeks. But, as Capetonians will tell you, the season seems to change depending which side of Table Mountain you’re on. Over three hundred kilometres north of Cape Town, Sutherland is the coldest town in the country, although the farm, Buffelsfontein, near Molteno holds the official lowest temperature record in Continental South Africa, −20.1°C.
A basic rule of thumb is Johannesburg has hot, rainy Summers and dry, cold Winters. This is the best season for game viewing. Cape Town has hot, dry Summers and cold, rainy Winters.
Clothing and Dress Recommendations
Sunblock, a brimmed hat and sunglasses are a good idea all year-round. Long-sleeved shirts and long trousers will also guard against the scorching sun rays. We recommend you wear light shoes, especially if your itinerary entails a lot of walking, unless you are hiking, then hiking boots are a necessity.
Spring (September, October and November)
Spring is a delightful season in South Africa. The days are warming up and can even be quite hot at lunch time. Having a pair of warm trousers and a jersey in your luggage should be all you need for the evenings.
Summer (December, January and February)
Bring clothes that are cool, light, and comfortable because summer temperatures can rise to between 30 and 40oC in some areas. Bring rain protection if you are in the highveld, and don’t forget to bring a swimming costume (bathing suit) with you.
Autumn (March, April, and May)
Parts of South Africa experience a very similar autumn season as countries in the Northern Hemisphere. The leaves of some of the non-indigenous trees turn yellow, red and gold and form thick carpets on the ground. Speaking of trees, did you know that Johannesburg is the largest man-made forest in the world? If you are in South Africa in May, warm trousers and a jersey should be more than enough for the cool evenings.
Winter (June, July and August)
The winters are generally cold at night and in the early mornings. By midday the temperatures have often warmed up and are then mild. However, temperatures can drop dramatically, so be prepared with jerseys, jackets and warm socks. Cape Town gets its rain during the winter season, so it’s advisable to bring rain gear along.
When on business
If you are doing business in the country, especially in the corporate sector, business attire is preferred. Many other professions, such as media, a more casual dress is acceptable. Smart casual is probably best.
When on Safari
Please remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Earth coloured clothes, such as browns, greens and tans are advisable. You don’t want to stand out as a tasty morsel to hungry lions. And on that note, if you are in the game parks, do not get out of your vehicle and keep the doors locked. If lions are around, close the windows.
When out on the town
If you are dining at an upmarket restaurant or seeing a show, smart-casual attire is recommended.
Internet Availability
Most accommodation offers Wifi (free or paid) in their business centres, rooms or restaurants. Internet cafes are found in most business areas and shopping malls. In addition, many South African restaurants and coffee shops offer WiFi access. It’s advisable to ensure you know if your venue charges or not.
There are also outlets such as PostNet that offer internet, fax and postage facilities.
Electricity and Plug Standards
A universal travel adaptor is essential for all trips abroad. A voltage converter or transformer may also be necessary. Here’s why.
Universal Travel Adapter
Just think of the electronics we have in our lives these days that need to be plugged in to work, or to at least charge the battery - smartphone, tablet, laptop, headphones, camera or Bluetooth speaker, toothbrush, curling irons and travel kettle and travel iron. Avoid purchasing one at the airport as these are usually astronomically expensive.
It is important to note that a travel adapter, even a universal one, does NOT convert the voltage or the frequency. Travel adapters ONLY allow a device from one country to be plugged into the wall outlet of another country, using the universal adapter, as a link between the two.
There are 4 plug types used in South Africa: Types C, D, M, and N. It’s important to remember that some travel adaptors are not suitable for any appliance that requires an earth connection. Please check your appliance first.
Voltage Converter or Transformer
South Africa operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. It is extremely dangerous to use an electrical appliance rated at a different voltage from the supply. If the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V (as is in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa), you can use your electric appliances in South Africa. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 230-volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then a Universal Travel Adapter is all you need. If your appliance is NOT compatible with 230 volts, a voltage converter or transformer, will be necessary.
We strongly advise that, to be on the safe side, that you should bring both a universal travel adapter AND a voltage converter or transformer for your time in South Africa.
