Travel Tips and Advice for visiting South Africa

South Africa at a Glance

South Africa’s impressive 3,000 kilometres of coastline display stunning natural beauty and exciting activities. From towering mountains covered in lush forests to wild rivers, vast deserts, wildlife safaris, grassy plains, and impressive mountain ranges, the Southern African countries offer a variety of exceptional experiences.

Is South Africa worth visiting? Yes, absolutely! Besides the many scenic landscapes and beautiful attractions, the Country is filled with historical places, excellent food, and the most friendly people in the world. As the world’s 24th most populous nation, it covers about 1,221,037 square kilometres. The Country shares borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, and Lesotho. 

things to know before travelling to South Africa

The Vast Country of South Africa has a scary reputation and an undesirable high crime rate. However, don’t let this deter you from visiting this beautiful, sunny African Country. With its diverse ecosystems, the Country offers long summers and spectacular scenery. Besides golden coastlines with beautiful beaches, South Africa boasts gorgeous mountain ranges, forests, and some of the world’s most stunning national parks and game reserves, which promise the perfect exploration holidays. In this South Africa travel blog, I share tips and advice for planning your best adventure holidays in South Africa. If you are planning an Adventure Holiday in South Africa, this post will ensure you make the most of your visit to South Africa.

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Safety in South Africa

I want to stress that South Africa has a very high crime rate. I have travelled extensively throughout the Country. As a South African travel blogger born and raised here, I must say that it’s not as safe as some other places I have visited, such as Vietnam or various countries in South America, Asia, and Europe. People who have only visited as tourists and have not lived here or explored all the provinces might not fully understand the safety situation.

Best Safety Tips When Visiting South Africa

As a South African born and raised here and having travelled extensively throughout the Country, I understand safety concerns more than some who write for top travel blogs about how safe South Africa is. Using these tips for travelling to and planning a trip to South Africa won’t have to be stressful. It is not advisable to be cautious of anyone approaching you for help at an ATM and avoid displaying money or valuables.

• Use common sense, and do not flash money or any valuables around.
• Avoid putting your cell phone in your back pocket. Get yourself a comfortable crossbody bag.
• Don’t travel alone at night, not even in a vehicle.
• Don’t leave anything in a vehicle, not even the car’s boot.
• If you cannot take valuables with you and look after them, leave them at home.
• Do not trust anyone, not even the PPolice as they might not be pPolice
• Don’t wander alone at night or visit deserted regions while travelling through South Africa.
• Do pay to wrap your bags in durable Plastic at the airports in South Africa. Unfortunately, there are many cases of theft from baggage. Indeed, you won’t want to arrive on the other side to realize that some of your belongings are missing.

Tips for driving in South Africa

Safety awareness is crucial before embarking on adventure holidays in South Africa. It is essential to make arrangements beforehand, including who and where you’ll be picked up and the mode of transportation. Also, clarify the person’s details and vehicle before entering the car.

• Rent a car from a reputable company, keep the car windows closed, and lock all the doors. If the PPoliceask you to stop, open the window only a little.
• Do not put bags or items on the seat while driving; lock them in the boot.
• Confirm that the Uber service you called exists before entering the Uber vehicle.
• Although many cases happen during the daytime, avoid driving after dark. A regular occurrence is when so-called police officers force you to stop. They usually ask for a bribe or force you to draw cash or transfer money to their accounts.
• When drawing money at the ATM or bank, do not accept help or assist someone asking for help. They’re usually out to scam you or steal your card. Don’t fall for any scams.
• Ensure you know the route when you drive to your destination so you do not become one of the statistics. Recently, a doctor on vacation with his family was shot dead when he left the airport and incidentally took the wrong turn-off. Unfortunately, for some people, your life means nothing.

When is the best time to visit South Africa?

South Africa is a year-round destination, with the busiest months being December and January due to the primary school holidays. South Africa is an all-year-round destination, with the busiest months being December and January due to the primary school holidays.

Weather & Seasons of South Africa

With its long summers and sunny skies, South Africa is known for its excellent climate and beautiful scenery, perfect for holiday adventures. Although the weather differs from region to region, springtime starts in September, with blossoms appearing in early August. Summer lasts until April, with the highest temperatures occurring from December to the end of February. Autumn begins in April, winter lasts until August, with June and July being the coldest months.

Language

Although English is the primary language and is widely spoken throughout the Country, there are 11 official languages. In no particular order, these 11 official languages of South Africa are English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho, Venda, Tsonga, Tswana, South Swazi, Pedi, and Ndebele. 

South Africa Money Tips

What currency is South Africa using? The official currency is the South African rand (ZAR), and most shops accept credit cards, providing flexibility and convenience. If you need cash, ATMs are readily available in many locations. However, it’s always wise to be cautious of potential scams and people offering to help you. Remember to prioritize your safety by ensuring no one is nearby when you enter your PIN.

Tipping in South Africa

In Africa, it is customary—but not obligatory or mandatory—to give tips to service staff in gratitude and thanks for good service. Gratuities can be increased or decreased depending on the level of service you receive: a high tip for exceptional assistance or a low one for going through the motions, just-doing-my-job mediocre service. Most guests expect to tip and make provisions in their budgets, but we stress that gratuities are entirely at your discretion for services you feel warrant them.

In some regions of South Africa, it is expected to encounter beggars and individuals who offer to watch over cars in exchange for money. Some choose not to seek regular employment because they can earn more through these activities. However, they are not recommended to be given cash as it perpetuates their presence on the streets. Additionally, it’s essential to consider the cost of car insurance and tracking devices, as they can be expensive.

Also called The Mother City, Cape Town is one of the most popular vacation regions in South Africa. It is perfect for romantic getaways, solo travellers and those looking for Family adventure holidays. For the best experiences in the Cape Peninsula, visit the Top Things to do in Cape Town City.

How safe is Cape Town? Crime differs from province to province and neighbourhood to neighbourhood. Always maintain awareness, and avoid walking around at night unless it is a touristy place with many people. Avoid walking and driving around once the sun sets, and avoid townships like Langa, Nyanga, and the Cape Flats. Also, the area southeast of Cape Town’s business district is known for hectic gang violence.

Some of the best things to do when visiting beautiful Cape Town is the following:

• Book a Whale Expedition on the West Coast.
• Experience a Cape West Coast Flower Tour.
• Go on an Addo Elephant National Park Safari

Winter in Cape Town: Don’t let the winter season put you off. The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is an excellent way to discover the picturesque valley, vineyards, and breathtaking scenery. It is one of the best winter activities in Cape Town and a great way to taste top wines around the Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek Wine Routes. A road trip along the beautiful Cape coastline is also one of the nice things to do in Cape Town in Winter. 

With so much to experience, you may want to check out the popular posts on Places in the Cape Town Province.

Gauteng

Johannesburg

Is Johannesburg worth visiting? Firstly, unless you are familiar with the region, the safest way to observe Johannesburg city and its surroundings is on a Tour. If you’re into history, I suggest you book a full-day Soweto and Apartheid Museum tour with a knowledgeable travel guide. Check out the other Best Tourist Attractions in Johannesburg for a range of day trips, walking tours, and Adventure activities in Johannesburg and its surroundings.

The best Tourist Attractions in Pretoria

Apart from the Union Buildings and a few museums, Pretoria has several tourist attractions, such as the Pretoria Botanical Gardens, the Voortrekker Monument, Fort Klapperkop, and beautiful game reserves. However, visiting Pretoria or Johannesburg alone is not advisable due to the high risk of mugging incidents. It is recommended to book a full-day GetYourGuide tour to see the famous Voortrekker Monument, Kruger House, and Cullinan Mine, home to where the world’s largest diamond was found. Book a full-day Pretoria city tour.

To book Adventures in Pretoria, check out the following most popular day trips from Pretoria: Hartbeespoort Cable Car Ride, Hartbeespoort Dam Boat Cruise, and Canopy Tour Magaliesberg.

The historical town of Cullinan

The picturesque town of Cullinan is well-known for its Diamond Mine and charming cafes and restaurants. For those seeking adventure, there are plenty of guided excursions and activities to enjoy in and around Cullinan, such as the following:

Self-Catering Game Lodges near Pretoria

Suppose you’re looking for a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg. In that case, several breathtaking nature and game reserves are just an hour’s drive from the Oliver Tambo International Airport. For those looking for a closer alternative, the Pretoria region offers a variety of nature and game reserves that can be reached within 30 minutes by car.

These reserves are not just your average retreat for nature lovers; they are home to unique landscapes, diverse wildlife, and various activities, from hiking and bird watching to game drives and safaris. If you want to experience the beauty of South Africa’s wildlife and nature in a truly unique setting, I highly recommend checking out the Game and Nature Reserves. These self-catering Game Lodges near Pretoria also offer other accommodations.

KwaZulu Natal

The beautiful province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) in eastern South Africa is an ideal destination for those seeking adventurous holidays. It features a subtropical coastline, stunning grasslands to the east, and the impressive Drakensberg Mountain range to the west. KwaZulu-Natal is a year-round destination known for its picturesque coastline, which includes golden sandy beaches and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Additionally, South Africa’s Natal Province offers other exciting places, hikes, and attractions that will captivate you. Kwazulu Natal is also where the Sardine Migration, the Largest Shaol on Earth, occurs.

South Coast, Kwa-Zulu Natal

The beautiful KZN South Coast and the KZN North Coast are perfect for an adventure holiday in South Africa. With long, hot summers and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, it’s an ideal beach holiday destination. But there’s more to it than just the beaches. Kwazulu has some of the best national parks, game reserves, and diverse wildlife. The highlight of your adventure holiday in South Africa is experiencing the Sardine Run, the most significant global marine migration. If you want a thrilling experience, then book a Shark Cage Diving Experience.

Are you looking for the Best Family Getaways to Kwa-Zulu Natal, a Beach Holiday resort, or just a getaway in KZN? You will find it here on the South Coast of Kwazulu Natal. See info on self-catering accommodation on the South Coast.

The Midlands of KZN

The KZN Midlands is a peaceful paradise, ideal for a weekend getaway or the best adventure holidays. Additionally, visitors to the Midlands of KZN can experience the stunning Drakensberg Mountains region. Both areas offer various attractions, activities, and places to visit, each with its unique charm catering to all types of travellers.

Zulu Rock Lodge is high on a mountain overlooking the rolling green hills of Babanango Game Reserve’s 22,000ha of African Wilderness. It is home to many wildlife species, including bushbuck, kudu, zebra, giraffes, Rhinos, leopards, buffalo, hyenas, and hippos. If you want to immerse yourself in the distinctive heritage of the Zulu people, this is the place. Don’t miss the chance to visit the stunning nature reserves and canyons in southern KwaZulu Natal, some of South Africa’s best.

Game Lodges in North West

Etali Safari Lodge, located in the Madikwe Game Reserve in the Northern Province, is about three and a half hours from Johannesburg and is highly rated. Moreover, it is only 40km from the Capital of Botswana, Gaborone. To extend your journey further in Africa, check out these activities and Game Lodges near Potchefstroom.

Mpumalanga

The Province of Mpumalanga, formerly and most commonly known as Eastern Transvaal, is the second smallest province in South Africa. Known as one of the Top Holiday destinations in South Africa, Mpumalanga borders Limpopo, Gauteng, and KwaZulu-Natal within South Africa, as well as Swaziland, “The Place Where the Sun Rises,” and Mozambique to the East.

Next to the world-renowned Kruger National Park in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga lies the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, a group of private game reserves. Some of the best-rated African Wildlife Safari Lodges in Sabi Sands are Arathusa Safari Lodge, Chitwa Chitwa Lodge, and Ulusaba Rock Lodge, owned by Sir Richard Branson.