What to know before travelling to South Africa

As with any trip abroad, finding out more about the country you’re visiting is all part of the adventure. That’s why we’ve compiled this handy ‘things to know’ guide to help you plan your holiday and let you travel with confidence. Whether you’re looking forward to experiencing Cape Town, taking a self-drive road trip on the Garden Route, or going on an unforgettable safari, here are some of the key questions you need to ask before travelling to South Africa.

As with any country you’re visiting on holiday, if you follow some savvy traveller rules, you’re more likely to have a safe trip. Here are our top tips to stay safe in South Africa:

As with all travelling adventures – the better prepared you are, the safer you’ll be.

The South African currency is the Rand (ZAR). At time of writing, the exchange rate is 22 - 23 South African Rand to £1 (GBP). It’s possible to order SA Rand as cash before you leave the UK – the Post Office offers one of the best exchange rates on the high street – or withdraw the money from a South African bank while you’re in the country.

Although credit and debit cards are widely used in South Africa, cash can still be king at some local stores and markets. You’ll also need cash for tipping, see below. That’s why it’s a good idea to carry a small amount of cash around with you – about 500 Rand (approx. £22) – just in case you need it.

Your best bet is to take cash out at an ATM during the daytime and from inside a bank or shopping mall. If you’ve bought a lot of cash from home, keep it locked in your hotel’s safe or your in-room safe, and just take out a small amount to carry around with you during the day.

Cape Town

In short, yes. Like the USA, many customer-facing workers in South Africa make a good percentage of their wages through tips. Waiters and waitresses will usually expect a 10% tip for average service, and 15% for a job well done. If you’re driving in South Africa, you can also expect to have someone filling the car up at the pump for a minimum 5 Rand tip. If your tyres, oil, and water are also checked, the attendant would probably expect at least 10 to 20 Rand.

Also, if you’re parking on the side of a street, you might be asked if you’d like to pay for someone to ‘mind’ your car. This will be on top of the charge for the pay-as-you-park meter. This can give you peace of mind while you leave your car, although you’re not obliged to take up the offer. If you do choose to tip an unauthorised parking attendant R5-10 is the usual price.

South Africa’s Big Five have quite rightly become one of the top reasons to visit. If you’re looking to see lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalos, as well as numerous other wild animals, staying in a safari lodge puts you in the right spot, with the right people. Not only will you be treated to daily game drives and bush walks with naturalist guides and expert trackers, but you’ll also enjoy first-class facilities, including swimming pools, safari spas, and luxury tents or stone walled cabins.

Spot the Big Five, including leopards, in South Africa

Most luxury lodges and safari camps are located in private game reserves. These protected conservation areas can be found in the Great Kruger zone to the west of the state-owned Kruger National Park. Greater Kruger and the national park encompass a vast natural environment covered in untouched savanna, mopane woodlands, wide river plains, and jagged mountain escarpments.

If you’re staying at a lodge, you’re more than likely be located close to a watering hole where you can watch South Africa's wildlife, including the Big Five, come down for a drink during the day, and at night.

Any time between May to October is the best time to go on safari in South Africa. This is because you’ll have dry and sunny days, and a lack of dense vegetation, as well as more animals making their way to reliable watering holes. Although the evenings can get a lot colder during the South African winter, the skies are filled with stars and there’s nothing like a fire and a braai (barbecue) to keep the cold at bay before you cozy up in your cabin for the night.

Most savvy safari goers will opt for earthy and neutral tones when it comes to choosing their safari wardrobe. Anything from khaki and grey to green and brown are recommended as they match the colours of the South African bush and help you blend in while watching the wildlife. Colours to avoid include bright reds and yellows as well as blues, blacks, and bright whites as these tend to attract the disease transmitting tsetse flies.

It has to be said that getting the bus in South Africa leaves a lot to be desired. Short trips can be expensive and longer routes often miss some of the off-radar small towns and seaside suburbs.

Thankfully, it’s safe to drive in South Africa. They drive on the left-hand-side and all signposts are written in English. That’s why self-drive holidays from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and road trips around the KwaZulu-Natal Battlefields work so well. You can also drive from Cape Town to the Stellenbosch wine region and head down to Hermanus to watch the whales.

It's simple to drive in South Africa, as they drive on the left-hand-side and all signposts are written in English

However, there are some things to remember once you get behind the wheel. Best practice is to keep your windows up when you’re driving in a city, and give yourself plenty of space to the car in front to avoid getting blocked in. Also, be aware that South African locals will often use the hard shoulder when driving on single-lane roads. This can be slightly disconcerting, especially if the driver behind you is indicating that they want to pass and expect you to drive over the yellow line into the emergency lane. It’s no different to France, to be fair, just move over when it’s safe to do so and don’t feel under pressure from impatient tailgaters.

Although it’s safe to swim in South Africa, care should be taken at all times. Rip tides, currents, and high waves can all put even the strongest of swimmers in danger. Sharks have also been known to swim around South Africa’s coastline as well as jellyfish.

Basically, it’s only safe to swim in designated areas that are patrolled by lifeguards. Stay close to the shore and don’t swim before sunrise or after dark. In general, green flags indicate that the water is clear and no sharks are around; black flags indicate it’s too dark to see anything so avoid the water, just in case; red flags are if a shark was seen earlier in the day but has since disappeared; and a white flag with a black shark on it means that sharks are in the water – stay on the sand.

Stick to designated swimming areas with lifeguards for your own safety

Do your research and chat to locals about where’s the safest place to swim, body board, or surf. Also, keep an eye out for jellyfish that have been washed up on the shore. The sting can still pack a punch even if out of the water so tread carefully or wear some form of beach shoes or sandals.

Yes, there are certain vaccinations required to visit South Africa. For instance, malaria is still prevalent in the north-east of KwaZulu-Natal, as well as some areas of Mpumalanga and the Limpopo province. However, some private reserves in the Eastern Cape, such as Amakhala Bush Lodge, are considered malaria-free. If you’re visiting an infected area – including Kruger National Park – speak to your GP at least a month before you travel. Anti malaria tablets can be taken before you leave as well as during and after leaving the area.

It’s also important to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, Rabies, Cholera, and Tetanus. Although not required by law, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Yellow Fever, on the other hand, isn’t something UK travellers need to vaccinate against if visiting South Africa.

In big cities and tourist-friendly towns, it’s straightforward to tune into the local Wi-Fi network. This is especially the case in hotels, cafés, and libraries etc. However, if you’re heading away from the hot spots, it’s a good idea to get a South African SIM card. These can be bought at the airport when you arrive and only cost a few Rand. To register you’ll need a photo ID and an address of where you’re staying while in the country.

Despite South Africa boasting 11 official languages, English is spoken and understood in all but the most remote of regions. The main language is Afrikaans – which derives from Dutch colonists – which is commonly used alongside Zulu, Xhosa, Venda, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Northern Sotho, Tsonga, Swati, and Ndebele. And there are at least 35 languages spoken by indigenous groups.

Feeling inspired? Start planning your dream holiday to South Africa