Banking and Currency

• Local currency: South African Rand

• Credit Cards are widely accepted and ATMs are plentiful in towns, cities, petrol stations and airports. In more remote places, make sure you take any cash you may need with you.

Travel, Transport and Getting Around

• International flights arrive mainly in Johannesburg or Cape Town, and some carriers serve Durban.

• Internal flying is relatively easy and there are a handful of reliable low-cost carriers. As distances can be significant by road, speak to us about flying to regional airports, where car hire is available and many hours of your holiday can be saved getting to your destination much faster.

• Driving in South Africa is easy and we highly recommend the experience. Roads are good, tolls (where present) relatively cheap, and the network of petrol stations and rest areas is great.

• Car hire is more expensive than in Europe and North America but by far the best way to explore the country is by road, so we still recommend it. The expense of a 4x4 can be saved, as these are rarely needed for the majority of touring highlights.

• You will often come across parking attendants in public and private car parks, and in busier commercial streets. They wear high-viz but their function is mostly a mystery that nobody delves into. They will offer to guide you into a parking space and, "observe" your car. Whether they do, and if their guidance is helpful, is a major topic for discussion in SA. However, always good to have a few coins in the glove compartment and be ready to tip them when you return to your car!

• Visit our Car Hire and Transfers section for more information about getting around SA by road!

• We generally advise you to drive any distance in the daytime only. This is mainly due to the wildlife you can encounter on night-time roads, but also general safety advice.

Health & Safety

• Malaria is seasonally present in some areas, including the Kruger National Park, so take necessary precautions and vaccinations. If Malaria is a concern, e.g. you are travelling with smaller children, or you have an adverse reaction to the prescribed medication, then check out the Malaria-free areas, such as Madikwe or the Eastern Cape. Here you can experience excellent safaris and wildlife, without having to take anti-malarial medication.

• South Africa is generally a safe country, if you behave sensibly, and avoid putting yourself or any of your possessions at risk. Don't wear excessive jewellery when out and about in towns and cities, leave your best watch at home, drive in the daytime or stick to well-lit streets and car parks and always have your wits about you. Leaving a mobile phone on a restaurant or bar table isn't advisable at home, so why do it in SA? Property guards are a common sight, and gated communities are plentiful, but these are mostly precautions people take to ward off any misadventures.

• At night-time, and where there is any risk from wildlife, lodges and camps will always advise on how to move between rooms, main buildings, etc. Please always follow this advice. Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice

Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice

• Tap water is potable in most major cities, hotels and lodges, but best to ask (if this isn't indicated with signage by the taps).

• Food is exceptional in South Africa and the abundance of fresh produce is both cheap and of extremely high quality.

• Be sure to not only try the typical biltong (dried, seasoned meat), bobotie (spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping - best enjoyed in Durban!), and boerewors (farmers' sausage). The culinary scene includes a strong tradition of barbecuing, known locally as a "braai." 

• Wine is, of course, exceptional in South Africa, and very economical. Even 3-star hotels and lodges have fantastic wine lists and make sure to try wines from all the regions, as it isn't just the Cape that produces some exceptional wines.

• Tipping: Customarily 10-15% in restaurants and for services, but this isn't mandatory, in any way. Tipping in petrol stations for window screen cleaning is customary (15-20 Rand). Always have small change for "parking attendants".

• Check out Woolworths for an amazing South African supermarket experience.

Best time to visit South Africa? Climate and Weather:

The vastness and varying topography, altitudes and and ocean influences make SA's weather patterns very regional. Here is a quick summary, based on the main regional groupings:

Cape Town & Western Cape's Seasons and Average Daily Temperature Ranges:

• Spring (Sept-Nov): Mild, sunny, ideal for outdoor activities. Average daily temperature range: 12°C - 20°C.

• Summer (De-Feb): Hot, dry, perfect for beaches, hiking, and road trips. Average daily temperature range: 20°C - 30°C.

• Autumn (Mar-May): Mild, pleasant, great for wine tasting. Average daily temperature range: 15°C - 25°C.

• Winter (Jun-Aug): Cool, can be rainy and even stormy but there are museums, galleries and excellent restaurants to enjoy. Average daily temperature range: 8°C - 15°C.

Johannesburg, Gauteng, parts of Northern Cape, Madikwe and Mpumalanga/Kruger National Park Seasons and Average Daily Temperature Ranges:

• Spring (Sep-Nov): Warm, sunny, perfect for outdoor activities. Average daily temperature range: 15°C - 25°C.

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Hot, dry, ideal for safaris, and hiking. Average daily temperature range: 25°C - 35°C.

• Autumn (Mar-May): Mild, pleasant, and great for exploring. Average daily temperature range: 20°C - 30°C.

• Winter (Jun-Aug): Cool and dry - take a fleece. Average daily temperature range: 10°C - 20°C.

KwaZulu-Natal's Seasons and Average Daily Temperature Ranges:

• Spring (Sep-Nov): Warm, sunny, ideal for outdoor activities like hiking and camping. Average daily temperature range: 18°C - 25°C.

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Hot, and humid, can be rainy in coastal areas but drier inland. Average daily temperature range: 25°C - 32°C.

• Autumn (Mar-May): Mild, pleasant, and great for exploring the Drakensberg Mountains. Average daily temperature range: 20°C - 28°C.

• Winter (Jun-Aug): Cool, dry, ideal for views and sights. Average daily temperature range: 12°C - 20°C.

"Load Shedding" - managed power cuts (seasonal only)

One of the more quirky aspects of travelling in SA is the phenomenon of the power grid's rationing of electricity during selected seasons and times of day. Most travellers won't notice it that much, as businesses, larger hotels and lodges have their power source or backup generators for when the power cuts out. The power will be cut in selected municipalities or city sectors at designated times of the day - during which traffic lights, street lighting and any commercial and residential units without a backup will "go dark". But, South Africans are hugely creative when dealing with these scheduled power cuts and always find workarounds, like a change in menu, pre-chilled wine, or candles appearing on your table. If you are travelling extensively through SA, then best to download the official "ESP - Loadshedding" app on your phone - and then become as creative and resourceful as a South African! If you can't download the app outside of SA, your app store should have access to it once you log on to the local mobile network.

• Recently, and since the elections in May 2024, Load Shedding has eased considerably and for many regions has stopped completely. We are hopeful that improvements will continue, and it will become one of those quirky things people only remember about South Africa. In the meantime, and just be on the safe side, pack a torch!

Clothing and Dress Recommendations

• Spring and Summer: Cool, light, breathable and comfortable

• Winter and Autumn: Jerseys, cardigans, sweaters, jackets, fleeces, etc.

Language, Local Customs and Communications

• English is the official language but Afrikaans is still widely spoken throughout SA, along with Zulu and Xhosa, which have both adopted the distinctive "clicks" sound, generated by a complex use of the tongue.

• Respect the customs and traditions of the local communities, especially when visiting rural areas. Ask for permission before taking photos of people.

• Mobile and Wi-Fi access is excellent in towns, cities and most urbanised areas but can be limited in the more remote lodges and camps. If mobile and Wi-Fi is critical to you during your holiday, then please mention this to us.

Bag for Africa

We always travel with "A Bag for Africa". Throughout the year, we collect any old items of clothing (incl. shoes), stationery (most prized are pens, notebooks and old school books), non-prescribed medications, etc. and save them in a travel bag. The items are received with genuine gratitude by housekeeping staff, bush clinics and many of the people who will make your acquaintance along the way. It is the nicest form of recycling we know!

Electricity and Plug Standards

• Plug Type: M, N (be sure to check your adaptor has these, as they are quite unusual)

• Voltage (V): 230 V 

• Frequency (Hz): 50 Hz 

*Depending on your appliances, a travel plug adapter and voltage converter might be necessary.

Disclaimer

While every effort is taken to provide accurate and up-to-date information, in particular in relation to health and visa/passport information, we urge you to seek independent advice from the proper medical or government authorities in good time before you travel.