Accommodation

Accommodation in South Africa is generally of a high standard and offers excellent value for money. Even modest backpacker lodges offer a bare minimum of fresh linen and clean rooms. South Africa has great boutique hotels, luxury guesthouses, lodges, and country houses at reasonable prices. There is a range of accommodation in the national parks and reserves, from simple rest camps to elegant lodges. There is no shortage of camping and self-catering accommodation either.

Alcoholic drinks

Even in the most remote places, an ice-cold beer is never far away. South Africa is also one of the top ten wine-producing countries in the world and produces particularly good wines from the New World.

Best time to travel / Climate

South Africa has a subtropical climate with plenty of sunshine and little rain. The inland regions are higher and generally cooler than on the coast. Even in mid-summer, temperatures in cities like Johannesburg rarely rise above 30°C, while in Cape Town and the Western Cape often reach 40°C. Summer in South Africa lasts from mid-October to early February. With so much to see and do every month of the year, there is no bad time to visit South Africa. For the best weather and a jam-packed calendar of events, plan your trip during the summer months from November to February. If you are specifically planning a safari trip to South Africa, the winter months from June to August are ideal, as temperatures drop significantly, making game drives in Kruger National Park more pleasant. Flights are cheaper and attractions are less crowded during the autumn months, from March to May, and spring, from September to October.

Cuisine

South African cuisine is a unique fusion of many different external culinary influences. These include Dutch, French, Indian and Malaysian flavours, and techniques, which continually find their way onto restaurant menus and into the homes of locals across the country. Due to cosmopolitan influences, South Africa does not have a truly coherent native cuisine, although there are attempts to elevate the Cape cuisine to that status. The one element that seems to unite the country is the love of meat. It is also worth noting the wide range of seafood, which includes a huge variety of fish, lobsters (crayfish), oysters and mussels. Locally grown fruit and vegetables are generally of high quality. South African cuisine is often referred to as rainbow cuisine. Most urban areas have a mix of restaurants, with Indian, Japanese, Moroccan and Chinese dishes on the menu. International and national fast-food chains are common. Braai is a South African barbecue. Dried meat, known as biltong, is a good snack. Restaurants in South Africa offer good value for money, and all cities and larger towns have a few restaurants with innovative menus.

Economy

South Africa has a highly developed economy and advanced infrastructure. The country is one of the world’s largest exporters of gold, platinum, and other mineral resources, and has a well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy, and transport sectors, as well as the continent’s largest stock exchange. South Africa’s economy has traditionally been rooted in the primary sectors – the result of a wealth of mineral resources and favourable agricultural conditions. However, over the past four decades, the economy has been characterised by a structural shift in production. Since the early 1990s, economic growth has been driven mainly by the tertiary sector, which includes wholesale and retail trade, tourism, and the communications sector. Now South Africa is moving towards a knowledge-based economy, with a greater focus on technology, e-commerce, and financial and other services. Key sectors that contribute to the gross domestic product and keep the economic engine running include manufacturing, retail trade, financial services, communications, mining, agriculture, and tourism.

Electricity

The electricity supply in South Africa is 220/230 volts, with outlets accommodating either two-prong or three-prong round plugs. Hotels also often have 110-volt outlets for electric shavers. Adapters and transformers can be purchased at airports and travel agents.

Entry/Visa

Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, and most European countries do not require a visa to travel to South Africa for up to 90 days. Exceptions are citizens of Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia, who must apply for a visa at a South African diplomatic mission in their home country. Anyone visiting South Africa will need a valid passport and proof of a return ticket (or onward travel documents), as well as a bank statement showing that they have sufficient funds for their stay. Although this is rare, officials will occasionally request that these documents be presented. If you plan to travel to South Africa alone with a child, you will need to present a notarized document confirming the consent of both parents. All children traveling to South Africa are expected to present an unabridged (complete) birth certificate.

Geography

South Africa shares borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland, while the mountain kingdom of Lesotho is enclosed within South African territory to the southeast. The Prince Edward and Marion Islands, annexed by South Africa in 1947, lie about 1,920 km southeast of Cape Town. South Africa occupies the southernmost tip of Africa. Its long coastline stretches for 3,000 km from the desert border with Namibia on the Atlantic coast southwards around the tip of Africa and then northwards to the border of subtropical Mozambique on the Indian Ocean. The warm Mozambique Agulhas Current runs along the east and south coasts to Cape Agulhas, while the cold Benguela Current flows northwards along the west coast to southern Angola. The temperature difference between these two currents is partly responsible for the considerable differences in climate and vegetation, as well as differences in marine life. South Africa has an area of ​​1,219,602 km2 and can be divided into two broad physiographic categories: the inland plateau and the land between the plateau and the coast. The boundary between these two areas is the Great Escarpment, the country’s most prominent and continuous relief feature. Its altitude above sea level varies from about 1,500 m in the southwest to a height of 3,482 m in the Drakensberg Mountains of KwaZulu-Natal. Inland lies the Inland Plateau, which is the southern continuation of the Great African Plateau, which extends to the Sahara Desert in the north. The plateau is characterized by wide plains with an average altitude of 1,200 m above sea level. The most prominent is the rugged Lesotho Plateau, which is more than 3,000 m above sea level. Between the Great Escarpment and the coast lies an area that is between 80 km and 240 km wide in the east and south and between 60 km and 80 km wide in the west. There are at least three major subdivisions: the eastern plateau slopes, the Cape Fold Belt and adjacent regions, and the western plateau slopes. The natural features range from bushland, grassland, forests, deserts and majestic mountain peaks to vast, pristine beaches and coastal wetlands.

Getting around

Despite the great distances, traveling in South Africa is usually straightforward. There is a well-organized bus and train network, numerous car rental companies, and good flight connections. The only weak point is public transport in cities, which is mostly poor and dangerous, except for Johannesburg’s Gautrain and Cape Town’s MyCiTi bus and Metrorail Southern Line. The only way to reach national parks and the more remote coastal areas is by car. However, flying between destinations is cheap compared to the cost of traveling long distances with a rental car and an overnight stay en route. The national railway network also connects most cities and offers varying levels of comfort.

Getting there / Border crossings

The Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and the international airport in Cape Town are the main entry points into South Africa. There are also border crossings with neighbouring countries Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Namibia, Eswatini (Swaziland) and Zimbabwe, through which visitors can enter by land.

Health

Most health concerns that may be valid in some parts of Africa can be put aside in South Africa; run-down hospitals and bizarre tropical diseases are not typical of South Africa. All tourist areas generally have high standards of hygiene and clean drinking water. Most of South Africa is malaria-free, but protection against malaria is essential if you are planning a trip to any of the following areas: northern and northeastern Mpumalanga, particularly Kruger National Park; northern KwaZulu-Natal; the border regions of the North West and Limpopo provinces. The highest risk is during the hot, rainy months of November to April. The risk is lower in the cooler, dry months of May to October, when some people forego taking prophylactic medication. The sun is probably the biggest danger you will encounter in Southern Africa, especially if you are fair-skinned. Make sure you wear adequate sun protection and do not spend too long in the sun – especially on arrival. Special care is required with children, who are best covered well with a UV protective suit. Do not be fooled on cloudy days when UV levels can still be high. Public hospitals in South Africa are generally quite well equipped, but they are sometimes under enormous pressure, under which standards unfortunately often drop. Private hospitals or clinics are usually of international standard and are a better choice for travellers. Although no specific vaccinations are required when entering from the West, you should make sure your polio and tetanus vaccinations are up to date. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are coming from a country where the disease is endemic, such as Kenya, Tanzania, or tropical South America. Depending on which parts of the country you are visiting, a vaccination against typhoid and an injection against hepatitis A, both of which can be transmitted through contaminated food or water, are also recommended. It is best to start arranging vaccination six weeks before you leave. If you are travelling to another African country first and need the yellow fever vaccination, be aware that a yellow fever certificate does not become valid until ten days after vaccination. HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases are common in both men and women in southern Africa, and the risk of contracting the virus through sexual contact is very real. Follow the usual precautions for safe sex. However, there is no particular risk of infection when receiving medical treatment in the country.

History

Archaeologists have dated fossils found in Gauteng province to be about three million years old. An hour’s drive from Johannesburg, the caves of Sterkfontein, Malapa and several other sites are UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Sterkfontein archaeological sites can be explored via a network of boardwalks and footpaths. The visitor centre houses a museum with prehistoric fossils and various historical exhibitions. Bantu-speaking tribes settled in the northern areas of what is now South Africa in the 5th century BC after defeating the San and Khoikhoi. Over the next 1,500 years, they gradually moved south. When the first European explorers arrived in the 16th century, South Africa was a predominantly Bantu-speaking country. Dutch colonist Jan van Riebeeck established an outpost at the Cape of Good Hope in 1652. This complex was later expanded and developed into what is now Cape Town. The first Dutch settlers brought slaves from India and Indonesia. As the pioneers pushed east and conquered more territory, they clashed with the Bantu-speaking Xhosa tribes. From 1770 to 1870, a series of conflicts known as the Cape Frontier Wars took place. In Grahamstown, the Settlers Memorial Museum, founded in 1820, has been revamped, and renamed the History Museum. It houses artefacts and exhibits that provide unique insights into the lives and heritage of the people who settled the region between the 18th and early 20th centuries. British forces took over Cape Town in 1806. After diamonds were discovered in the 1860s and gold in 1884, European colonisers fought over these sources of wealth, with the Dutch and allied settlers becoming known as the Boers. The British and the Boers fought two wars in which they attempted to gain control of disputed territories and farmland. The first lasted from 1880 to 1881 and the second from 1899 to 1902. The oldest building in the country, Cape Town’s Castle of Good Hope, houses the Castle Military Museum, with a magnificent collection of weapons from the Cape Frontier War and the War against the Boers. Nelson Mandela is the most important figure in the recent history of South Africa. The militant anti-apartheid activist was imprisoned in 1962 and became a symbol of the national and global anti-apartheid movement. He spent 27 years of his life sentence in Johannesburg’s Number Four and on Robben Island, both of which have become major tourist attractions. After his release in 1990, Mandela led the African National Congress negotiations that led to the introduction of democracy in South Africa in 1994. In the subsequent elections, Mandela was elected the country’s first president, a position he held until his resignation in 1999.

Holidays / Festivals

There are numerous holidays in South Africa that celebrate the country’s rich heritage and people, as well as its diverse products. The Cape Town International Jazz Festival in late March or early April is one of the biggest music spectacles in Africa. The two-day event features a mix of local and international musicians performing on five different stages to audiences of more than 30,000. The National Arts Festival is held in Grahamstown and is another popular event in July. It is a world-class showcase for arts and culture, offering the full range of performances. Plays and operas, music, street performers and visual arts are all part of the 11-day festival. The Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, or Kaapse Klopse in Afrikaans, traditionally took place on January 2, but now some festivities start on January 1 and continue throughout the first week of the year. This event sees costumed minstrels’ parade through the streets of Cape Town playing traditional music and jazz. The Knysna Oyster Festival takes place every July in the Garden Route town of Knysna. Dignitaries describe the event as “the most beautiful 10 days of winter” and a fitting tribute to the oyster. North of Johannesburg and Pretoria, the Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival takes place in August. Oppikoppi began as a rock festival but has grown considerably and now has several stages where folk and jazz artists, house DJs and even comedians cater to all tastes. The Royal Reed Dance in the first half of September sees up to 10,000 Zulu girls in traditional dress make their way to the Zulu King’s KwaNyokeni Palace in the KwaZulu-Natal province in a four-day procession. The women spend a lot of time preparing the beads and reeds to sing and dance as the parade arrives at the Royal Palace. The festival is a popular addition to Durban holidays at this time of year. In September, Johannesburg hosts the Arts Alive Festival, a 10-day spectacle dedicated to South Africa’s visual and performing arts. Dance and music shows are performed in theatres and other venues in the old Newtown district. Local artists can be seen as well as Afro-fusion or Spanish flamenco dances. International performances often include Chinese puppet and ballet troupes. Pretoria is often referred to by South Africans as Jacaranda City because of the many Jacaranda trees. In late spring, when the trees bloom, the city turns a purple hue. The Jacaranda Festival in October honours the local symbol with family entertainment and a special market.

Internet

South Africa has widespread internet access, although speeds can be slower and often inconsistent outside of the major cities. Wifi is always an option in most accommodations. Most WiFi connections in holiday resorts, lodges or hotels are secured with a password that is given at reception. Accommodations usually also have a computer connected to an Ethernet cable to allow their guests to access the internet. Wifi is usually also offered in shopping malls, restaurants, cafes, bars and airports.

Language

South Africa has 11 official languages, and almost 40 percent of the population speaks native African languages ​​at home. English is only the fifth most spoken language, but is still understood throughout most of the country. South African English contains many unique vocabulary words borrowed from Bantu dialects and Afrikaans.

LGBT

LGBT people enjoy the same legal rights in South Africa as non-LGBT people. For LGBT travellers, South Africa is the most welcoming country on the continent, making it an ideal holiday destination. There are several LGBT operators and accommodation, gay-friendly clubs and bars, and events celebrating LGBT culture.

Money Matters

The currency in South Africa is the Rand. In the major cities and smaller towns, most retailers and restaurants accept credit cards as payment. ATMs are easy to find at petrol stations or shopping malls, but if you are shopping for souvenirs in the markets, it is best to withdraw cash.

People and culture

South Africa’s native culture suffered during the years of apartheid, and even native African singers began to use English or Afrikaans. Bantu and its various dialects are currently enjoying a small renaissance, and musicians are once again embracing their native tongue. Kwaito is a pleasant mix of old and modern African beats. South African traditional languages ​​have survived in rural areas, where there is less exposure to the West in everyday life. Dances are popular in all levels of South African society, with specific dances representing the origins of the dancers. The gumboot dance originated with the early miners and is now an integral part of the country’s culture. Gumboot performances can be seen in major tourist areas, such as the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town. Zulu dances are an impressive spectacle of warriors in traditional dress, which can be seen at the annual Royal Reed Dance or at the cultural performances at Phezula Game Park in KwaZulu-Natal province. South Africa has a rich sporting heritage, and the three most popular sports are rugby, cricket, and football. South Africans enthusiastically follow the Springboks and Proteas national teams, and matches are televised in many public venues. South Africa is something of an enigma. Even after 25 years of democracy, the “rainbow nation” is still struggling to find a new identity. Apartheid is dead, but its legacy still shapes South Africa in very physical ways. This is all too evident in the layout of the cities, where the historically poorer African areas are mostly located away from the centre. South Africa’s population cannot be simply reduced to black and white. Over 80 per cent of the population is black African, while whites make up just under nine per cent, as do coloureds – the descendants of mixed races – the descendants of white settlers, slaves from South East Asia and Africans. The rest are mainly Indians (2.5%), who live mainly in KwaZulu-Natal and are descended from forced labourers who came to South Africa in the early 20th century. A better indication of South Africa’s diversity, however, is the multitude of official languages, most of which represent different cultures that have their roots in different parts of the country. Each region has its own style of architecture, crafts, food and sometimes clothing. Perhaps even more exciting are the cities, where the whole country comes together in a mix of rural and urban, traditional, and thoroughly modern.

Politics

South Africa is a constitutional democracy. Since the end of apartheid in 1994, the country has been regarded globally as a champion of human rights and a leader on the African continent. In recent years, however, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has been accused of undermining state institutions to protect corrupt officials and maintain its power as its support base began to dwindle. In 2018, a widely respected anti-corruption commission headed by a judge began hearing testimony on high-level corruption allegations that eventually forced two-term president Jacob Zuma to resign. He was replaced by current president Cyril Ramaphosa, who secured a five-year term in 2019 when the ANC won the election but also achieved its lowest ever vote share.

Safety

Crime rates in South Africa are relatively high and visitors need to exercise a certain level of vigilance. It is best to travel in a group or with a guide. It is also advisable to avoid unlit urban areas at night and not to drive in rural areas after dark. When leaving a parked car or camper van, always hide valuables. The same applies to driving, as there are occasional reports of motorists having their windows smashed while waiting at traffic lights. Crime is less of a problem in tourist areas and major cities, as authorities place a high priority on protecting travellers. However, pickpockets are still active at airports, train stations and bus stations. Be especially careful at Johannesburg Airport, as the facility is known for pickpocketing.

Telecommunications

The international dialling code for South Africa is +27. Cell C, MTN, Vodacom and Virgin Mobile are among the mobile phone providers in the country. Coverage is good in most coastal areas and major cities, but signal is patchy in the national parks and most of the western half of the country.

Time

The country observes South African Standard Time, which is two hours ahead of GMT (GMT +2).

Tipping

Tipping is the norm in restaurants and at petrol stations. Most of these businesses pay their staff the legal minimum wage and rely on customers to tip to keep staff incomes at a living wage. Tips of around 10% of the bill are considered normal.

Vehicle Hire

Renting a car is an easy, safe, and convenient option for your South Africa trip, but if you do not feel comfortable driving in unfamiliar terrain, you can use several chauffeur services or book a fully guided tour. Driving is on the left.