Why we love South Africa

Few places have South Africa’s sense of possibility. Dawn breaks over open plains, light catching the grass before the day spills towards the coast. Lions, winelands, ocean spray – everything feels close, connected. Mornings are for the bush, afternoons for the vines, evenings for the sea. Cape Town hums, the wild spaces stretch wide, and travel here just flows. This guide shares everything you need to know before you go. 

Entry requirements 

British and American travellers can visit South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of arrival and have at least two blank pages for immigration stamps. 

If you’re travelling with children, there are specific entry requirements that apply. We recommend checking the official South African immigration website for the most up-to-date rules. 

For travellers entering or returning to another country after South Africa, be sure to check your government’s latest travel guidance and get in touch with our operations team if you have any questions. 

Health and medical

We are not certified to give medical advice, but we recommend you consult your doctor about your vaccination history and discuss any further vaccinations you may need for your trip. We recommend this website for travel vaccination information and advice on bringing medication into the country.  

It’s worth noting that Yellow Fever Vaccinations are mandatory when coming from a country at risk of transmission. The above link will provide you with more information.

Baggage and packing tips 

We strongly recommend that you carry overnight essentials and any medication in your hand luggage, particularly if connecting to an onward destination, in the event of lost luggage or delays.   

Most lodges and camps offer laundry services with a 24-hour turnaround, though almost all do not launder women’s underwear due to cultural reasons. 

Check out our What to Pack on Safari guide for our recommendations. 

Across Sub-Saharan Africa, there are specific baggage allowances for each country and sometimes even different airlines. See below for South Africa’s baggage allowances. 

Airline: Fed Air 

Type: Light aircraft 

Weight allowance: 20kg (soft-sided) plus 5kg carry-on 

Dimensions: 40cm x 30cm x 60cm 

Airline: SA Airlink 

Type: Scheduled aircraft 

Weight allowance: 20kg plus 8kg carry-on 

Dimensions: 90cm x 72cm x 45cm 

Airline: South African Airways 

Type: Scheduled aircraft 

Weight allowance: 23kg plus 8kg carry-on 

Dimensions: 158cm (total length, width and height)
 

Climate 

The best time to visit South Africa depends on your plans. Cape Town’s warm summer months run from November to February. For safaris, the cooler dry season from May to September is ideal for game viewing.

Laws and customs 

Take a look at South Africa’s laws and customs on the government website. 

The South African police can request proof of identification at any time, so it’s best to carry a copy of your passport and keep the original safely in your accommodation. 

Be mindful of your surroundings and personal belongings. Avoid wearing valuable items in public and always keep your car doors locked if you’re driving. 

Load shedding 

Due to the ongoing energy crisis, South Africa experiences load shedding – scheduled power cuts lasting around two hours, often twice a day. The schedule varies by area. We recommend downloading the EskomSePush (ESP) app, entering the area you’ll be staying in (e.g., Franschhoek or Gardens Cape Town) to receive updates. 

Most hotels, major restaurants and cafés have backup generators and are largely unaffected, but some smaller establishments may close during these hours.

Money matters 

The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR), often shown as ‘R’. Cards are widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops, but carrying a little cash for tips and small purchases is recommended. 

Non-residents can claim back VAT on goods purchased in South Africa, provided the items are taken out of the country within 90 days of purchase. To do this, ensure each invoice is over ZAR 250 and head to the VAT Refund Office at the airport before check-in, with your receipts and goods ready for inspection. 

Tipping 

Tipping practices vary around the world, so it’s always best to check on arrival what the preferred process is. The below serves as a simple guideline to help you plan. Amounts are listed in USD, which is widely accepted and works well as a benchmark, though local currency may sometimes be preferred. 

Safari in South Africa 

Safari guide: $25 per couple per day (give directly at the end of your stay).

Lodge staff: $25 per couple per day (usually placed in a communal tip box). 

General travel 

Restaurants: Around 10–15% of the bill (usually added via card machines).

Activities: $20 per traveller for a half day, $40 per traveller for a full day.

Transfers: $10–20 per transfer depending on the length of the journey.

Practicalities 

Plug type: You’ll need an adapter for South Africa, where there are two main plug types – Type N, a three-pronged plug commonly found in South Africa and Brazil. The country operates on a 230V supply voltage at 50Hz. 

Flights and time zone: Flights from London to South Africa take around 11 hours, with British Airways operating direct routes. The country is two hours ahead of GMT (GMT +2) and does not observe daylight saving time. 

Language: South Africa is famously multilingual, with 11 official languages. The most widely spoken include Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English, which is common in cities, hotels and tourist areas.Here are a few useful phrases to help you connect with locals: 

Hello – Sawubona (Zulu)
Thank you – Enkosi (Xhosa) or Dankie (Afrikaans)
Please – Asseblief (Afrikaans)
Yes / No – Yebo / Cha (Zulu)
How are you? – Unjani? (Zulu)
Cheers! – Gesondheid! (Afrikaans)

Food and drink 

South Africa’s cuisine is world renown. Expect to see a strong focus on meat, especially at traditional braais – the South African equivalent of a barbecue. Vegetarian and vegan travellers are well catered for in most urban and tourist areas. 

Here are a few highlights to try on your trip: 

Biltong: Cured and spiced dried meat, perfect as a snack. 

Boerewors: A traditional spiced sausage, often cooked over a braai. 

Bobotie: A Cape Malay dish of spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping. 

Bunny Chow: A street-food classic – a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with fragrant curry. 

Sosaties: Marinated meat skewers grilled over open flames. 

Koeksisters: Sweet, braided doughnuts soaked in syrup. 

Rooibos tea: A naturally caffeine-free red tea native to South Africa. 

Keep connected 

We recommend buying a South African SIM card on arrival at the airport. The best networks are Vodacom and MTN, offering reliable coverage across most regions. Ensure your phone is unlocked before travelling. Alternatively, we recommend Airlao for purchasing an e-SIM in advance.