Travel to South Africa: The Ultimate Guide for Everything You Need to Know
Travel to South Africa: The Ultimate Guide for Everything You Need to Know
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a “foodie”, looking to meet interesting people, or wanting to lazily lay at the beach, South Africa is a travelers paradise. There truly is something for everyone. Few destinations rival South Africa when it comes to offering a wide range of attractions combined with easy and convenient regional travel.
If you asked people why they travel to South Africa, you would certainly receive different answers – some would say it’s the pristine beaches, or the wildlife, or the breathtaking scenery, or the wine.
With so many activities to do and places to see, we’ve prepared the ultimate guide for everything you need to do when visiting South Africa. You’re unlikely to complete the list, but it will give you a flavor of how to travel around South Africa and a deeper insight into the country’s natural and historic wonders.
Why travel to South Africa?
Africa’ has a seductive allure and appeal for many travelers. But with 55 countries to choose from, it can be daunting to pick a location, especially if you are on a budget. South Africa, along with Morocco, Egypt and Zimbabwe continuously rank high among the African countries with the most international tourist arrivals.
South Africa has garnered a reputation as a destination that offers such an extensive variety of breathtaking holidays and experiences throughout the year, combined with its First World infrastructure, continues to bring more and more visitors to its superb beaches, safaris, dramatic mountains, sophisticated cities, historic battlefields, great and small semi-deserts, wide-open spaces, breathtaking adventure activities, and much more.
I always recommend traveling to South Africa first if you’ve never been to Africa or are new to travel. First, because it’s the easiest country in Africa to travel to. Also, South Africa is beautiful! The country at the tip of Africa welcomes thousands of visitors each year looking to experience its diversity, its beauty, its landmark attractions, and its endless possibilities for adventure.
A trip to South Africa should be on the bucket list of every intrepid traveler.
Visas to travel to South Africa
Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, and most European countries do not need a visa for trips to South Africa of up to 90 days.
However, citizens from Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, who need to obtain one at a South African diplomatic mission in their home country.
Everyone who visits South Africa needs a valid passport and proof of a return ticket (or onward travel documents) and a bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover their stay. Though rare, immigration officers do on occasion ask to see these documents.
Proof of Exit
If you are required to show proof of exit you can use a round trip ticket and cancel your 2nd flight once you arrive if you plan on backpacking to other countries and not returning. However, I bought a one-way ticket. Then I bought a Greyhound bus ticket to Mozambique for $30 ish and used that as my proof of exit. It was great because I did end up using it, but even if I wanted to extend my trip, I wouldn’t have wasted that much money.
When to travel to South Africa
With so much to see and do every month of the year, there is no bad time to visit South Africa.
But for the best weather and a jam-packed events calendar, plan your trip to South Africa during the summer months. From November to February, the days are hot with temperatures reaching the mid-eighties and dropping to the mid-sixties at night.
If you’re planning a safari trip to South Africa, book your flights during the country’s winter months. From June to August, temperatures dip to the mid-forties making game drives in the Kruger National Park more bearable.
In Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to October) you’ll find cheaper flights and fewer crowds at the top attractions.
I chose my trip based on the fact that I really wanted to shark dive. I looked up what months that was possible and came during that time frame. So if there is an activity you really want to do, choose when you travel based around it.
Should you start in Cape Town or Joburg?
These are the two big cities in South Africa that will have international flights. It’s best to start in Cape Town and work your way down the coast until you reach Joburg and are ready to leave the country. From Joburg, you can easily catch more buses to other countries.
Plus, there is just something about the mountains, ocean, and vineyards combined with the rich urban architecture and vibrant culture that make Cape Town the best choice.
Is it safe to travel to South Africa?
The number one question I get asked about South Africa is if it’s a safe destination.
The simple answer is yes – as long as you use common sense and you’re aware of your surroundings.
South Africa, especially Joburg, gets a bad rep. But like most places on earth, there will be safe and unsafe areas. As amazing as South Africa is, South Africa, ranks 123rd on the Global Peace Index. The issue of crime is perhaps the most serious problem facing the country.
But most people who visit South Africa enjoy their stay without any incidents. It’s important to know crime is disproportionately concentrated in the townships.
Some basic travel tips to follow while traveling to South Africa include not carrying too many valuables on you such as expensive jewelry and watches, excessive sums of money, or a camera. Lock your car doors while driving, especially in cities, and don’t walk alone at night.
For more tips on safety when traveling to South Africa, visit the UK travel advice site.
How much does it cost to travel to South Africa?
The average worldwide flight costs to South Africa (from all airports) are between $1,100 and $2,001 per person. South Africa isn’t the cheapest country in Africa– especially if you compare it to other African countries. Most hostels charge between $8-12 for the camping section, $12-16 for a dorm, and $20-45 for a private room.
Most people will find they spend about $1000 to $1500 USD per month in South Africa.
Vaccines for Travel to South Africa
Before traveling to SA, The CDC and WHO recommend that you make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include:
- Chickenpox (Varicella)
- Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
- Flu (influenza)
- Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
- Polio
- Hepatitis A
- Meningitis
- Measles
If you are planning on traveling anytime soon, the CDC recommends Everyone 16 years of age and older should get fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before travel.
How to get around South Africa
South Africa has great public transportation. There’s a reasonably well-organized bus and train network, plenty of car rental companies, and well-connected internal flights. The only weak point is public transport in urban areas, which is mostly poor and dangerous with the exceptions of Johannesburg’s Gautrain and Cape Town’s MyCiTi bus and Metrorail Southern Line.
Uber and other local carpooling services are great options as well. But renting a car may be the easiest and safest option for your South Africa trip. Besides, short of joining a tour, the only way to reach national parks and the more remote coastal areas is by car. But remember they drive on the same side of the road as the UK which is great if you’re British, but tricky if you’re American.
However, flying between destinations compares favorably with the cost of covering long distances in a rental car and overnighting en route.
You can also take small buses around town, utilize Greyhound or other big bus companies to travel long distances or travel to a border country, or do the Baz Bus which is specifically for backpackers staying at hostels.
More on the Baz Bus
I took the Baz Bus and regular buses while I was in South Africa. Baz Bus is great if you’re nervous about traveling and want the easiest option since they pick you up directly from your hostel.
However, they are more expensive and slower than a Greyhound or other local long distance bus.
How Long Should You Stay?
Honestly– you should move to South Africa.
But if forever is too long, a minimum of 3 weeks is recommended, with 4-6 weeks being more ideal. However, you could also easily spend 2 to 3 months and regret nothing.
What should you do when you travel to South Africa?
As I mentioned earlier, there is plenty to do In South Africa. Some activities to try and places to see include:
- Eat Bunny Chow in Durban – often referred to simply as a bunny, is a South African fast food dish consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of white bread filled with curry. It originated among Indian South Africans of Durban.
- Go on a Safari – the Kruger National Park, one of the best places to travel in South Africa for wildlife safaris. Don’t miss a chance to see the Big 5 – lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo, with well-informed rangers conducting safaris in open vehicles.
- Go Shark Diving – Gansbaai (near Hermanus) is the most popular place to go shark-cage diving, with more options on the Garden Route.
- Visit Beaches – South Africa is full of popular beaches but I would recommend checking out Jeffrey Bay, Coffee Bay, and if you want to see penguins– Boulders Beach.
- Climb Table Mountain – Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top.
- Visit Drakensburg – ANother popular mountain top for hiking are the ‘dragon mountains’, which harbor South Africa’s highest peaks, plus waterfalls, rock art, and awesome panoramas.
- Visit a winery – South Africa is synonymous with good wine and gorgeous vineyards. Make sure you sample some fine vintages while enjoying the stunning scenery.
- Robben Island – Sobering and inspiring, visit the island where Nelson Mandela was imprisioned.
Don’t forget Lesotho
Lesotho is a tiny, tiny country located in the middle of South Africa. It’s called the ‘Kingdom of the Sky’ because it has a high altitude. It’s the only state in the world that lies entirely above 1000m.
You can get there when you’re visiting Drakensburg (which fyi, you have to visit Drakensburg). It’s super easy to cross the border. While you could spend some time there, even popping over for a weekend is worth it. And if you’re a country junkie like me, it allows you to easily add one more to your list.
And on another random note, make sure you stay at Amphitheatre when you’re In Drakensburg because it’s gorgeoussss and you’ll always have a good time there!
What to do after South Africa?
South Africa is amazing! But it doesn’t stop there. If you’re you’re short on time, visit at least 1 more neighboring country. Dip into Mozambique, head to Victoria Falls, or sand surf in Namibia.
If you have a lot more time (like 6 to 9 months), I recommend doing my same route and traveling from Cape to Cairo!