7 Things to Know Before Traveling to South Africa

If you're looking for real insights and things to know before traveling to South Africa written by someone who’s visited the country multiple times, you're in the right place. South Africa is a diverse and beautiful country, and I recommend visiting it to everyone. 

Still, it may surprise you. What to do and what is better to avoid? And is it really so dangerous? 

Read more from my South Africa travel guide. 

 

You might also be interested in reading:

• Shark Cage Diving in South Africa: 3 Stages of My Heroic Descend Among the White Sharks
• 7 Unique Places to Visit in South Africa
• Best 12 Hotels in Cape Town: Luxury, Comfort and More
• Table Mountain, South Africa: 9 Facts You Need to Know

 

 

1. South Africa is more affordable than you think 

Fine dining at La Petite Colombe—one of those South Africa experiences that feels ultra-luxurious but still surprisingly affordable

While it can be a bit pricey to travel to South Africa, once you step out the airport, it’s super budget-friendly. Everything from hotels and guest houses to restaurants, services and souvenirs is very cheap in comparison to Western countries.

In South Africa, you pay with South African Rand (ZAR), and at the time we’re writing this article (September 2021), the exchange rate is like this:

1 USD ≈ 18–19 ZAR
1 EUR ≈ 19–21 ZAR
1 GBP ≈ 22–24 ZAR

If you never stay in five-star hotels, this is your time. You can manage to find a room there for approximately 50–120 EUR (60–140 USD) per night.

During our stay, we were accommodated at Winchester Mansions Hotel in Cape Town and at La Cabriere Country House in Franschhoek, both located in the Western Cape. Both hotels were marvelous and totally top-class, including the breakfasts.

On top of that, La Cabriere was probably one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve stayed at in my whole life… and just to be clear, I travel a lot (otherwise, I wouldn’t even be writing this).

Tip: Concerning the food, which is like number one priority for me, my personal tip is Le Petit Manoir restaurant. It’s situated in the romantic town of Franschhoek and you’ll get served a 3 course menu with wine at a Michelin level only for 25 EUR (30 USD) per person. I don’t know about you, but I call that a deal. Just look at these gastronomic marvels.

 

2. You will probably be shocked by the racism and social differences in South Africa

South Africa is magnificent, once you get used to it. Prepare yourself that you might be surprised on several occasions about how things work there.

My experience with racism in South Africa

For example, racism is still an open topic, like everywhere in the world. But there I would say it’s more visible. It strikes me as something they are born with. Like something, they’re not even aware of.

I was shocked when I realized that in almost every restaurant, the customers are white and the staff are people of color. The Afrikaaners also talk about the Black members of community in a condescending way without even realising it. As a European, I was astonished by that.
 

@ the Nelson Mandela Capture Site

Story time: How I became a racist by mistake

Even I got myself into an embarrassing situation once. On my travels, I grew fond of using English phrases and proverbs. Lately I’ve been using the phrase “monkey see, monkey do” quite a lot. When we  were on the Table Mountain, taking pictures where nobody did, a small girl, about ten years old, spotted us and immediately came to the same spot.

A perfect occasion for saying “monkey see, monkey do”, right? Well, not if the girl is Black and understands English perfectly. I almost made her cry, and only then I realized how racist that could sound. I had totally zero intention to offend her, but in South Africa, you just have to think twice carefully about what you are saying.

Social scissors in South Africa

The social scissors are wide open in South Africa, too. On one side, there are really poor people, who will offer their services for a ridiculous price; on the other hand, there are very wealthy people with big estates and loads of money.

Long story short, the political and social situation is kind of a sore subject. Take Nelson Mandela, the Nobel Prize winner. To these days, he is a hero for some, but a communist and a terrorist to others.

My friendly advice is, it’s in your best interest not to comment on that or get in discussions about politics or social affairs in any way. Just enjoy your vacation, man, and leave your opinions at the hotel room. It also helps to monitor local news once in a while, just to stay in the loop with what’s going on around you.

 

Wine tasting in Franschhoek—easy day trip from Cape Town, set in quieter, more remote areas of the winelands 

 

3. Enjoy the diversity of South Africa’s population

South Africa is very diverse—best experienced through local food and everyday life
 

Speaking of culture shock. South Africa is actually a melting pot of various cultures and nationalities, thanks to its colonization past.

You’ll notice big differences compared to other African countries—and even between regions within South Africa itself.

There are Christian, Hindu and Muslim believers. Tribes of Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Tswana, Ndebele, Khoisan and of course, Afrikaner.

Enjoy that colorful mosaic. You can see it in one of the countless museums and cultural villages, taste it in restaurants of miscellaneous cuisines or just feel it on the streets and in bars—and if you head outdoors, whether it’s hiking trails or other tourist attractions, you’ll see a completely different side of the country.

 

 

4. How to figure out the best times to visit South Africa, whether you’re heading to Cape Town or Kruger National Park

Cape of Good Hope—plan around daylight hours, as weather and visibility on the coast can change quickly 
 

If you finished elementary school, you probably know South Africa is in the southern hemisphere. And you know what that means—a perfect winter getaway.

The average temperature during their summer (December to February) ranges from the minimum of 15 °C (59 °F) to the maximum of 28 °C (82 °F). In winter (June to August), the average day temperatures are 19 °C to 23 °C (66 °F to 73 °F). It can get chilly at night though, so be sure to pack a jacket with you.

The ideal time to visit South Africa depends on what you are planning for your stay. The best time to go to safari—especially in Kruger National Park—is from June to August.
 

Wildlife experiences in Kruger National Park—some people go with reputable and experienced guides; I chose to explore on my own
 

The prices are usually lower and you have a good chance to see all the Big Five (elephant, african buffalo, lion, leopard, and rhino) as they are gathering around the water reservoirs due to the dry season.

Pro tip: If you're visiting national parks in South Africa, make sure to follow park regulations—rules are strict in order to keep the animals safe and happy... you wouldn’t want to be the guy making animals unhappy, would you?!

For bigger cities like Cape Town, spring and fall (that's basically the same months as in Europe, just switched) is the best time, especially if you want clearer views from Table Mountain. Not only is the weather cooler, but the indigenous flowers bloom as well, and in fall (April and May), the vineyards shine with a palette of warm colors.

That said, weather can still be unpredictable, and severe weather—like strong winds or sudden storms—can affect your travel plans, especially around the coast.

 

 

5. Rent a car, but remember to learn driving & safety rules

South Africa is bigger than you may think. It’s almost twice the size of Texas.

If you're flying into Cape Town International Airport, having a rental car from the start will make your travel plans much easier.

I usually book through DiscoverCars because it’s easy to compare prices and coverage options in one place.

And it’s super cheap, too. Besides, the infrastructure in South Africa is comparable to that of Western countries, if not better in some cases. And the drivers there are very polite and disciplined, so don’t expect a wild traffic jungle.

Just be careful at intersections—malfunctioning traffic lights are way more common than I’m used to in Europe. Also, keep your doors locked when driving, especially in busy areas or at intersections.

And if you’re planning longer drives or heading outside major cities, it’s worth having decent car insurance.

Driving in Kruger—keep your doors locked and always slow down for animals crossing (they have the right of way). Whether you're in national parks or smaller game parks, wild animals are exactly that—wild—so keep your distance and avoid contact at all times.

 

Remember, they drive on the left side and the speed limits are 120 km/h on highways (74.5 mph); 100 km/h (62 mph) on secondary roads; 60 km/h (37 mph) in urban areas. You’ll also need an international driving permit in some cases, so double-check before you go.

Tip: Pay for a car guard when parking on the street. For you —it’s just a loose change, but for them it might be a whole week’s pay. You’ll see them pretty much everywhere, especially around shopping centers and busy spots.

 

6. The Cape of Good Hope is not the southernmost point of Africa

Cape of Good Hope

Yep, they have all lied to you. The Cape of Good Hope is not the southernmost point in Africa. Although it’s probably what they taught you in school, modern geographic knowledge states that the real southernmost point lies about 150 kilometers (90 miles) to the south-east.

The real place is called Cape Agulhas and if you stand there on a beach, you can actually put one foot in the Indian Ocean and the other in the Atlantic Ocean. And that's a pretty awesome experience. And there’s also the Agulhas National Park to explore, after you’re done with perfect cape shots on Instagram.

 

 

7. Staying safe in South Africa: health risks and common sense 

Table Mountain views (with snacks)
 

South Africa is a country with one of the highest murder and rape rates in the world. That said, there is no reason to panic a tourist. Most of these crimes happen in places no tourist goes—I felt safe all the time. 

Medical care in cities is solid, especially in private hospitals, but medical treatment can get expensive fast. If something serious happens, you might even need medical evacuation, either to a better facility or out of the country altogether. 

That’s why I think buying medical evacuation insurance isn’t a bad idea—it’s one of those things you hope you’ll never need, but you really don’t want to skip. Especially if you’re traveling through rural areas where access to medical services and health care can be limited.

There’s a visible police presence in many areas, and tourism is a huge deal for the country, so safety is taken seriously. Still, use common sense and keep your personal safety in mind, and don’t do stupid things.

Don’t walk around empty streets at night, even in major city centers, don’t flash valuables, and don’t put yourself in dumb situations. Honestly, the same rules apply almost anywhere in the world.

If something does go wrong, call 10111 or 112. Or reach out to local police or head to the nearest police station if you need help in person.

 

 

A few more useful facts about South Africa (including load shedding)

• South Africa has an incredible 11 official languages (!). English being one of them, so you don’t need to be afraid of communication.

• It's the only country in the world with 3 capital cities (as the government is divided in 3 sections as well), Cape Town is the judicial capital, Pretoria is the administrative capital and Bloemfontein is the legislative capital.

• Regular Visa or Mastercard is accepted everywhere, you can also pay with a Revolut card (there is also the possibility to exchange South African Rands, ZAR, in the app).

• When booking anything online, stick to secure websites so you know your payment details are safely connected.

• The time zone in South Africa is GMT+2; it’s six hours ahead of New York.

• The tap water in bigger cities is safe to drink.

• Many nationalities—including travelers from the EU, the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand—can visit South Africa visa-free for up to 90 days.
• Make sure your passport meets South African passport requirements, too, especially when it comes to validity and blank pages. Your passport has to be valid for at least 30 days after your planned exit from South Africa. It also has to give at least two consecutive blank “visa” pages (endorsement or amendment pages do not count).

• There's another sovereign state inside South Africa—Lesotho Kingdom—which lies in the area of the Drakensberg Mountains. It’s a unique situation you won’t really find in many other countries. Though San Marino comes to mind!

• The monkeys at Good Hope Cape are cheeky bastards with sharp and potentially dangerous teeth.

• Load shedding (planned power outages) can affect everything from restaurants to hotel rooms, so keep that in mind when planning your days.

 

 

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