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South Africa travel guide
Safaris, winelands and a city under Table Mountain.
Last reviewed 11 October 2026 · by the Travel Search Engine editorial team
South Africa at the tip of Africa offers world-class safaris, beautiful coastlines and great food and wine. Cape Town sits under Table Mountain, Kruger National Park is famous for the Big Five, and the Garden Route and Drakensberg are made for road trips and hiking.
Travel tools
Getting there
O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport are the main gateways.
Best time to visit: May–Sep for safari; Oct–Apr for Cape Town and beaches.
Flights: see the cheapest month to fly to Pretoria, with live one-way and return fares from your nearest airport.
Tougher months: No bad time - but June-August is wet and windy in Cape Town, and December-February brings heat and rain in Kruger.
Weather by month in Cape Town
- 26°J
- 27°F
- 25°M
- 23°A●
- 20°M●●
- 18°J●●
- 18°J●●
- 18°A●●
- 19°S●
- 21°O●
- 24°N
- 25°D
Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).
Time zone: Africa/Johannesburg. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 93 of 198 other passports can enter South Africa without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 27 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 78 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of South Africa (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2025-05-27). Read the advisory.
Stay
Most trips to South Africa are based around Cape Town, Kruger National Park or Garden Route. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$35–60 for a backpacker and US$100–200 mid-range, per person.
Connect
Plug types: C, M, N. Voltage: 230 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +27.
Mobile data: set up a travel eSIM or check your roaming plan before you fly, so data works as soon as you land.
Do
- Cape Town (Western Cape · city & mountains): A stunning city between mountain and sea, with beaches, history and food.
- Kruger National Park (Mpumalanga & Limpopo · safari): One of Africa's greatest game reserves, home to the Big Five.
- Garden Route (Western & Eastern Cape · coast): A scenic coastal route with forests, lakes and adventure activities.
- Cape Winelands (Western Cape · wine country): Historic wine estates and gourmet dining in beautiful valleys.
- Drakensberg (KwaZulu-Natal · mountains): A UNESCO World Heritage mountain range with hiking and rock art.
- Johannesburg & Soweto (Gauteng · history & culture): South Africa's biggest city, with museums, markets and a dynamic arts scene.
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park (KwaZulu-Natal · wetlands & coast): A coastal wilderness of lakes, dunes, reefs and wildlife.
- Panorama Route & Blyde River Canyon (Mpumalanga · scenery): Spectacular viewpoints over one of the largest canyons in the world.
Things to do
- Go on safari in Kruger. Track lions, elephants, leopards and rhinos on a self-drive or guided game drive.
- Climb Table Mountain. Hike or ride the cableway to the flat summit for sweeping views over Cape Town.
- Drive the Garden Route. Road-trip past lagoons, forests and beaches between Mossel Bay and the Tsitsikamma coast.
- Taste Cape wines. Sip Pinotage and Chenin Blanc among mountains in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
- Visit Robben Island. Tour the prison where Nelson Mandela was held, guided by former political prisoners.
- Watch whales at Hermanus. Spot southern right whales from the cliffs during the whale season.
- See penguins at Boulders Beach. Walk among African penguins on a sheltered beach near Simon's Town.
- Hike the Drakensberg. Trek beneath dramatic basalt cliffs and discover ancient San rock art.
Eat and drink
- Braai – South African barbecue
- Bunny chow – curry served in a hollowed-out loaf of bread
- Bunny chow – a hollowed-out bread loaf filled with chicken or bean curry
Money and safety
Currency: South African rand (ZAR). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: Expected – 10–15% in restaurants, plus small tips for fuel attendants and car guards.
Emergency numbers: 10111 police · 10177 ambulance · 112 from mobiles.
- The currency is the South African rand; cards are widely accepted.
- Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centres rather than on the street.
- Crime is a serious issue in some areas; avoid walking alone at night and keep valuables out of sight.
- Use registered taxis or ride apps rather than walking in unfamiliar areas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit South Africa?
May–Sep for safari; Oct–Apr for Cape Town and beaches. Mostly sunny and mild, with winter rain in the Cape and summer rain in the north and east.
What time zone is South Africa in?
South Africa uses Africa/Johannesburg.
Do I need a visa for South Africa?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 93 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 27 need an e-visa or eTA and 78 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does South Africa use?
South Africa uses plug type C, M, N at 230 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for South Africa?
The international calling code for South Africa is +27.
Do you tip in South Africa?
Expected – 10–15% in restaurants, plus small tips for fuel attendants and car guards.
What is the emergency number in South Africa?
10111 police · 10177 ambulance · 112 from mobiles.
Which side of the road do they drive on in South Africa?
Traffic drives on the left.