African Sands Blog » South Africa Travel Q&A
South Africa Travel Q&A
- Hello there! Can I help you?
Hello there? Can we help you?
Need advice quick?
Travelling to SA but not sure when is the best time to go?
Booking a hotel but want real ratings on it before you book?
Want to do a tour but not sure what?
Tell us and let us and the community help you out!
Travel Tips for South Africa
Come prepared!
Here are a few traveling tips to ensure your experience in South Africa is hassle free. Little things can sometimes make a big difference.
Arrival:
Air
South Africa’s national airline is South African Airways (SAA). There are frequent direct and indirect flights by numerous major airlines from destinations throughout Europe and North America.
Most flights are overnight flights
Direct flights between the USA and Johannesburg or Cape Town are about 15 hours, flights between London and Johannesburg take about 12 hours and European flights are about 13 hours.
Daily flights link Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria and with other connecting flights to provincial towns. South African Airways operates on the principal routes.
Major airports
Cape Town (CPT) (Cape Town International), 22km (16 miles) east of the city.
Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, car hire, bank/bureau de change and restaurant/bar. Inter-Cape buses run 24 hours and meet all incoming and outgoing flights. Some hotels operate courtesy buses. Taxis are available, with a surcharge after 2300 Travel time to the city centre is approximately 20 minutes.
Car hire is available (includes Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz).
Bloemfontein (BFN), 10km (6 miles) east of the city
Travel time to the city centre is approximately 15 minutes.
Airport facilities include ATMs, restaurants, car hire and conference facilities. There is an airport shuttle bus to the city center (leaving from outside the airport building). Taxis are also available.
Durban (DUR), 18km (11 miles) southwest of the city
Travel time to the city centre is approximately 20 minutes.
Airport facilities include outgoing duty-free shop, car hire (includes Avis, Budget, Hertz and Europcar), bank/bureau de change and bar/restaurant. Airport buses and taxis are available to the city.
Johannesburg (JNB) (O.R Tambo Johannesburg International), 22km (14 miles) east of the city
Travel time to the Sandton City is approximately 45 minutes.
Airport facilities include incoming and outgoing duty-free shops, post office, car hire, bank/bureau de change, restaurant and bar. Bus services to Pretoria and Johannesburg are available. Buses link Kempton Park with Johannesburg. Taxis are available. Some major hotels operate courtesy coaches.
Port Elizabeth (PLZ), is 5km (3 miles) west of the Business District.
Travel time to the city centre is approximately. 25 minutes
Airport facilities include Nedbank ATM, conference facilities, information desk, restaurants and pubs, shops, a pharmacy, postal services, car hire. There is an airport shuttle bus to the main international hotels in Port Elizabeth upon request. Taxis are also available.
Departure tax
There is no departure tax payable at the airports. This is already included in the cost of your air tickets
Sea
The main ports are Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. St Helena Steamship Co Ltd runs a regular passenger service from Avonmouth to Cape Town. Cruises are offered by various companies between South Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Cruise lines include Cunard, Eurocruises, Orient Lines, P&O, Peter Deilmann Cruises, Princess, Radisson Seven Seas and Silversea Cruises.
Rail
The main routes are from South Africa to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique.
South Africa is home to the world famous Blue Train and the romantic Rovos Rail. For adventure, consider the Shongololo Express which covers the country!
Road
There are main routes into South Africa from Botswana (via Ramatlabama), Lesotho, Mozambique (please check with local police about state of road and safety), Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe (via Beit Bridge).
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Pease note that the above distances are estimates and may vary depending on exact routes taken.
For further information visit http www.europcar.co.za
Climate:
South Africa is predominantly a sunny country with the main summer months being December & January. Generally, summers are warm to hot with the autumn months of May & June bringing cooler nights. The climate is generally
good all year round in most parts of the country. Colder conditions occur in winter, from July to the end of September, with the Cape Province often experiencing more rainfall. KwaZulu-Natal is best visited at this time, with the warm coastal temperatures being offset by the occasional snowfalls and chilly temperatures in the Drakensberg Mountains.
Temperature:
CPT = Cape Town
DBN = Durban
JNB = Johannesburg
| Average Maximum Temperatures (Degrees Celsius): | ||||||||||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| CPT | 27 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 26 |
| DBN | 27 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 24 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| JNB | 26 | 26 | 24 | 19 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 |
For further information visit the South African Weather Bureau.
Clothing:
The seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are directly opposite to those of the Northern Hemisphere. For summer months, lightweight (cottons and linens), short-sleeved clothes are best, although a jersey/jacket might be needed for the cooler evenings. Umbrellas and raincoats are essential for the summers and the Western Cape winters. Warmer clothes are needed for the winter months. For those going on a safari, cool neutral coloured clothes are best.
Crime:
The crime situation in South Africa has been of some concern to travelers to South Africa and although crime is a reality in South Africa, it has largely been exacerbated by media hype.
We would like to assure you that provided certain precautions are taken and one is sensible, there is no need for more than a healthy concern.
Keep wallets, passports or other valuable items out of sight.
Don’t flaunt expensive cameras or high tech equipment while sight seeing in certain areas.
Don’t walk around at night in dark deserted areas.
Driving in South Africa – Rules of the Road:
South Africa has an excellent road network, which is well signposted in most areas.
All visitors intending to drive are required to obtain an international drivers permit. Visitors found driving without a permit will be fined and not permitted to continue on their journey. Visitors will also not be able to rent a car without a valid driver’s permit. This needs to be presented in conjunction with your international driving license.
The wearing of seatbelts is compulsory and strictly enforced by law.
We have very strict drinking and driving laws – with a maximum allowable alcohol blood content of 0.05%. This means about one glass of wine for the average woman and perhaps 1.5 or two for the average or large man.
Speed limits are clearly signposted, but generally the speed limit, on motorways / freeways is 120 km per hour and 60 km per hour in built up areas (unless otherwise indicated).
Traffic laws are strictly enforced.
Please note that in South Africa people drive on the left hand side of the road.
Electricity:
South Africa’s electricity supply: 220/230 volts AC 50 Hz
Exceptions: Pretoria (230 V) and Port Elizabeth (200/250 V)
Most plugs have three round pins but some plugs with two smaller pins are also found on appliances. Adaptors can be purchased but may be in short supply.
Please note that US-made appliances may need a transformer.
Holidays:
1 January New Year’s Day.
21 March Human Rights Day.
13 April Good Friday (dates differ)
16 April Family Day (dates differ)
27 April Freedom Day.
1 May Workers’ Day.
16 June Youth Day.
9 August National Women’s Day.
24 September Heritage Day.
16 December Day of Reconciliation.
25 December Christmas Day.
26 December Day of Goodwill.
Holidays falling on a Sunday are observed the following Monday.
Immunisation:
No international immunisation is required when entering South Africa.
The only inoculation requirement is a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate for people arriving in South Africa from a yellow fever zone.
Languages:
South Africa has 11 official languages, with the four most popular being Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English. English however, is spoken throughout most of the country.
Medical Services:
Medical services in South Africa are readily available and private medical care is of an exceptionally high standard. However, South Africa has no national health scheme and it is advisable to purchase travel insurance, which covers all medical expenses during the period of your stay.
Malaria:
Regions where you are currently in danger of contracting malaria include parts of Northern KwaZulu-Natal (Low Risk Area), Maputaland, Mpumalanga and the Northern Province.
It is advisable to embark on a course of anti-malarial drugs if you are planning to visit one or more of these areas. Tablets are available without prescription from local pharmacies / drugstores in South Africa. We do however recommend that you consult a doctor or pharmacist when choosing an anti-malarial drug as some malarial strains have become immune to certain drugs.
The symptoms of malaria are similar to those of the flu and can include; diarrhoea, fever, fatigue, headaches, nausea, muscular pains and joint pains. If you experience any of these symptoms you should consult with a doctor immediately.
In addition to taking prophylactics, visitors to high-risk areas should take the following precautions:
1. Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and socks in the hours between dusk and dawn.
2. Apply mosquito repellent every 3 to 4 hours
3. Keep doors and windows closed unless they are screened
Money – Currency, Travellers Cheques & Credit Cards:
The currency unit is the Rand denoted by the symbol “R”.
Notes come in R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200 values, with coins of 5c, 10c, 20c & 50cents, as well as R1, R2 & R5 coins. (R1 = 100cents)
Foreign currency can be exchanged at commercial banks; exchange bureaus such as American Express and Rennies Travel and most hotels will also assist you in changing money.
You will need to carry cash in remote areas, but we do recommend carrying small amounts of cash and the rest as traveller’s cheques or simply carry your bank card, as this is the safest option.
Credit cards are welcomed in the major centres, with MasterCard, Visa, Diners Club and American Express the most widely accepted. These cards along with their affiliates can also be used to withdraw money from Automatic Teller Machines, which are widely distributed throughout South Africa.
Please note that credit cards cannot be used to purchase fuel.
Religion:
Most inhabitants profess Christianity of some form and belong to Catholic, Anglican and other protestant denominations, Afrikaner Calvinist churches or African independent churches. There are also significant Hindu, Muslim and Jewish communities, and traditional beliefs are still practiced widely, sometimes in conjunction with Christianity.
Shopping:
Most major shopping centres and malls operate 7 days a week, but you will find that in the smaller towns and rural areas that shops are closed on a Sunday.
General shopping hours are:
Monday – Saturday: 09:00 to 17:00
Sunday: 09:00 – 14:00
Time Difference:
South Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year, making it an hour ahead of Central European Winter Time, seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Winter Time and seven hours behind Australian Central Time.
Tipping / Gratuities:
The majority of the service industry works on a gratuity basis.
The recommendations for tipping are such:
Waiters; 10-15% depending on quality of service
Porters; +/- R5 per suitcase
Guides, Rangers & Lodge Staff: R50 to R100 per person per day (This is totally dependant on what you feel comfortable with and what level of service you receive)
Value Added Tax (VAT):
Vat, which is currently 14%, is included in the marked/ quoted price of most goods. Foreign visitors are required to pay VAT on all purchased items. Visitors may however claim back VAT on purchased items taken out of the country when the total value exceeds R250-00.
Visas:
Visa requirements have recently been relaxed and passport holders from more than 80 countries including the European Union countries, Japan, Canada and the United State of America can visit South Africa without requiring a visa.
If you are not sure, please check here about visa requirements with your local embassy.
Water:
The tap water in South Africa’s major cities, towns and most game reserves are purified and thus 100% safe to consume.
For more information please contact African Sands
Hello,
I am a student who will be travelling to SA this year. when is the best time to go? Can anyone help? I also want to visit other African countries, is it easy to travel to them from South Africa?
Hi Mike,
Glad you are thinking of SA. It is a fantastic country.
I may be biased, but there is not really a bad time to travel to the country it all depends on what you want to do!
I would suggest that the best times to:
•Go on safari is June to September as this is the dry season and makes game viewing easier, but it does mean that it is winter in South Africa and the temperatures can get quite cold at night. A bonus is that the game reserves do offer cheaper rates during this time to compensate!
•Visit Cape Town is November to March as this is summer and the weather ius generally excellent. It can get quite windy during February and March, but that is all part of the fun. Winter in Cape Town is traditionally rainy season, but again, many of the hotels offer special rates during this season to compensate!
•Go rafting is December to February as this is the rainy season and it can make the waters become much more fun. We have some excellent grade 5 rapids to try out if you are an adrenalin junkie!
•Natural flower displays is August to September which is spring. The Namaqualand comes alive at this time. It is an incredible carpet of colour. Well worth seeing.
•Go whale watching is June to December which is when many of the whales come closer to shore to calf. Hermanus is an excellent place to view the whales from the land, or their are many companies that offer excursions by sea to see the whales if you want to get up close.
Unlike the northern hemisphere, the big school holidays in South Africa are from December to January, so this does many that many of the attractions do get much fuller and accommodation becomes more booked up.
Regarding travelling to other African Countries from South Africa… yes, yes, yes! We are one of Africas greatest hub cities and there are usually good flights to most other cities. Road transport is often available too. Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi are all easily accessable from South Africa!
I hope that this helps! Need any more advice, give me a shout.
Happy travelling.
I have 3 days in Cape Town what is best to do with limited time?
Thanks for the commenst to Mike RE best time to go to SA.
I heard there is a town crier in Hermanus? Is this true?
Can you really see the whales from shore?
I want to go on safari but have no budget, what can I do that is best?
I have heard the North Coast of KwaZulu Natal is really nice and that you can see game there too. Is this true? What do you recommend?
Hi Jenny,
3 days in Cape Town is fine. Obviously more time would be good, but I would suggest you do the following things:
1. Go up Table Mountain – I would do this as soon as you can depending on the weather as sometimes the cable car can be shut due to low clouds or strong wind. The views up at the top are amazing and will give you a good overview of the city!
2. Cape Point – this is a great tour to do and if you walk all the way down to the old lighthouse the views are very dramatic
3. Go to the winelands – my favourite place is Franschhoek, I think this is just such a charming town with a very French flair. It also has great wine estates for you to do wine tastings at, but Stellenbosch and Paarl are also well worth a visit. Try pop into “Oom Samie se Winkle” in Stellenbosch, it is an old fashioned corner store that stocks just about anything and everything. Quite fun!
4. Do a Cape Town city tour – especially the Cape Malay Quarter. It is very cultural and well worth a visit. Thier colourful houses are very cheerful and the history behind the area is interesting
I hope this helps… let me know if you need anything else.
http://www.africansands.com
Hi Mark,
Yes there is a Hermanus Town Crier. He is the pride of the town. You can usually find him down at the beach. He is dressed for the part. In the months of June through November (from 10am – 4pm), when the Southern Right whales come to the warm waters of the bay, it is his mission to alert hundreds of shore-based whale watchers to the whereabouts of whales. He does this by blowing his kelp horn. The sandwich board he wears tells whale watchers how to interpret the code which will lead them to the spots where the whales have been sighted.
It is an experience! He makes for unforgetable photos!
Yes, you can see the whales from the shore. There are lots of pathways and cliffs that allow you good sightings. Just follow the criers directions…
Happy whale spotting!
http://www.africansands.com
Hello,
There are lots of excellent places in the Kruger National Park that you can go to with a limited budget. Safari does not always have to mean expensive. The Kruger National Park has many rest camps that offer budget accommodation that is clean and comfortable. It is generally offered on a self catering basis, but there is usually a restaurant in the rest camps and a basic corner shop for food purchases. This means that you will be doing a self drive safari in the Kruger National Park. This allows you to explore the Kruger National Park at your own leisure. If you wanted to, there are game drives with game rangers in open 4 x 4 safari vehicles that are bookable through the South African National Parks Board – they usually depart early in the morning or in the late afternoon. It might be a nice idea to do one or both of these game drives for the experience. This way you can get the game rangers experience when sighting the animals.
The Kruger National Park and its rest camps are very popular, so you would need to book in advance as far as possible.
The 12 main rest camps are: (Listed from South to North)
Berg-en-Dal
Malelane (satelite camp with check-in at Malelane Gate)
Crocodile Bridge
Pretoriuskop
Lower Sabie
Skukuza
Satara
Orpen
Tamboti (satelite camp with check-in at Orpen)
Olifants
Balule (satelite camp with check-in at Olifants)
Letaba
Mopani
Shingwedzi
Punda Maria
Let me know if you need any extra details…
Happy Big Five spotting
http://www.africansands.com
This is probably my favourite part of the world (I am not biased because I come from here or anything!)
Compared to the hustle and bustle of the big cities, the tranquil way of life of the North Coast is most refreshing. Here you can experience the sights and sounds of the ocean’s mammals, such as the dolphins and whales. Go diving or deep sea fishing. Explore the legacy and heritage of Africa’s greatest warrior; King uShaka. Travel further north and spot the Big Five at one of South Africa’s premier Game Reserves – Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve. You can also go Microlighting over the Indian ocean – a real treat!
This is a magical place where the influx of colonial explorers from Europe and India blended in with the existing indigenous people of the area, creating a rich and cultural infusion.
The Coastal towns boast crystal clear paddling pools, stunning beaches, and rocky coves, that provide the ideal mixture for water-sport fanatics, fishermen and sunbathers on the long stretches of golden sand.
I would suggest that you spend a few days at one of the hot spots like Balito or Umhalnga Rocks – just chilling and relaxing on the beach.
Then move up the north coast to iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly Greater St Lucia Wetlands) and do the game reserve where you can spot the wildlife on the way back down. This is a very special part of South Africa and offers the ecotourist some of the most diverse wildlife and outdoor experiences imaginable.
Besides Lake St Lucia – a unique, 38 000 ha expanse of lake, islands and estuary – the park incorporates an astonishing variety of habitats ranging from the Ubombo mountains to grasslands, forests, wetlands, mangroves and vegetated dunes, with magnificent beaches and coral reefs. The park is internationally recognised and a World Heritage Site.
This diversity gives rise to fauna and flora unrivalled anywhere in South Africa. It supports an abundance of Nile crocodile and hippo, as well as rhino (both black and white), elephant, buffalo, giraffe, waterbuck, kudu, nyala, impala, duiker and reedbuck, amongst a host of other species.
Unfortunately you can not swim in the lake beause of the crocodiles, but there are still plenty of things to do in the area such as diving on coral reefs, or walk for miles along golden beaches, explore great dunes, or wander through lush tropical coastal forests, go fishing or take a boat cruise on Lake St Lucia. It is also a great place to try your hand at canoeing while enjoying a wilderness trail.
Watch out for migrant whales along the coast and leatherback and loggerhead turtles, nesting on the beaches at night in summer.
If you want to spot the Big Five, then stop in at the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve (2 game reserves combine to make one big reserve).
Imfolozi lies in the heart of Zululand, where ancient trails lead through the bushveld and along the mighty rivers. Besides the elephant, leopard, lion, buffalo and rhino, it harbours the elusive cheetah, wild dogs and many other well-known bushveld species inhabit the park, offering visitors a rich game viewing experience. “Operation Rhino” in the 1950’s won Imfolozi world recognition for white rhino conservation and its specialist Game Capture Unit. Hluhluwe, in the north, is characterised by diverse terrain and vegetation and is exceptional for its biodiversity. Together they offer unforgetable Big Five viewing!
Enjoy yourself…
http://www.africansands.com
I am impressed with all this useful information. Was WAY more than I expected. I just cannot keep up with your posts. So much information to read about.
Great. Thanks for the comment! Let me know if there is ever anything you want to read about and I will try and write a post about it.
Wow, good info. How about some Cape Town tips?
Where’s the best place in CT to try traditional South African food?
Is the hike up Table Mountain that difficult? The online guides say to only travel in groups.
Are their buses/shuttles from the airport to downtown hotels or just taxis? (getting in late)
Is the ocean fairly warm for swimming in March?
Thanks.
Hi there,
Thanks for the comments. Hopefully you will find these tips useful.
1. Where’s the best place in CT to try traditional South African food?
It depends on what you are looking for and how far you want to travel.
There are a few great restaurants in the Cape Town area that serve good traditional South African cuisine. My favourites are:
Mama Afrika
This is probably one of the original restaurants in Cape Town that started serving “African” cuisine. It has been operating for 13 years and is very popular. You do have to book for this restaurant. But it is a one stop food festival for your taste buds. It is located in the centre of Cape Town and has a diverse menu ranging from speciality sweet potato dishes to ostrich meat this restaurant has it all. The decor consists of the unpolished timber floors, hand-painted walls, woven basket lampshades, and recycled tables and chairs – it is quite basic, but works well to create a great , warm and friendly vibe. The restaurant has various marimba bands that play during the evening. The restaurants motto is “enjoy yourself, leave with a full belly a happy heart and a smile”
GOLD Restaurant, Cape Town
This is a fun, funky restaurant that serves Pan African cuisine in a courtyard that has been transformed into a tropical jungle, in the heart of Cape Town. A typical evening at GOLD Restaurant starts off with the drumbeat of the djembe drumand an interactive drum circle offers you the opportunity to join in and learn how to play the djembe, after pounding the skins of the drums, you get your hands washed in a traditional hand washing ceremony as you are led into the ancient courtyards for dinner. The menu has a wide range of traditional South African and African dishes – and they are all good!
This is a bit more touristy… but it is great fun if you have not experienced the African culture before and the food is worth it.
Moyo at Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
If you are planning on visiting the winelands, then this is the perfect restaurant to include on your winelands tour. It is a restaurant like no other! Bedouin tents and gazebos are placed throughout the garden and create a setting similar to a nomadic African village. There are also tree platforms that you reach via walkways where you can dine high up in the tree tops. It is designed to be both an excellent restaurant and a unique experience. The setting, the entertainment, and the amazing food all work together to make for a wonderful experience. The food itself is a massive African buffet with a lot of different foods on offer – steaks (beef, gemsbok, ostrich and more), game meat, potjies (several), salads (several), fish, breads, calamari, various chicken dishes, various kinds of boerewors, stacks of vegetables and of course a good dessert buffet. All of this food is of course delicious and very well presented. The whole set up is quite big and is divided into various sections – the main tent, private tents and the tree houses. My recommendation is to either book the private tents or the tree houses (my favourite) as the main tent is big and can feel a bit commercialised.
Five Flies
I love this restaurant. It is a bit more contemporary and has a more international flair to it, but it still serves excellent local dishes. It is located in the centre of Cape Town in Heritage Square and is in a listed building. It has been sympathetically restored and surrounds a great courtyard. There is the contemporary restaurant, and the fantastic bar – which is a bit of a Cape Town hot spot. The food is simple yet delicious. My favourite is their Springbok speciality. It is expensive, but the food and the vibe make it worth
2. Is the hike up Table Mountain that difficult?
It depends on the route that you take. Some are easy hikes and others are for experienced mountain climbers. I climbed Platteklip Gorge which is probably one of the easiest routes and I did it in about 3 hours (bearing in mind I am not that fit). We packed a picnic lunch and had it at the top of the mountain. Seeing the views after I had walked up it, made them all that more special. Of course, I did take the cable car down! Remember, if you do decide to hike, never go alone. Always take a good map of the area with you and make sure that you tell people where you are going and which route you are walking, just in case you run into difficulty.
3. The online guides say to only travel in groups.
South Africa has a reputation of being a crime ridden country and that you must always travel in groups. Yes, sadly there is crime in South Africa, but it does not usually affect the tourist areas. As long as you take all the standard precautions that you would when travelling in any big cities then you will be fine. i.e. don’t wander around at night alone, don’t go into any areas you are unsure of by yourself, don’t flash lots of money or expensive cameras about etc.
4. Are their buses/shuttles from the airport to downtown hotels or just taxis? (getting in late)
Taxis are the easiest form of transport around the city, but there are shuttle buses that take you into the centre of town .There are plenty of shuttle services available from the airport. One of the best known providers is Magic Bus. This service includes daily, scheduled shuttles to and from the airport and 24-hour door-to-door transfers.
5. Is the ocean fairly warm for swimming in March?
The ocean around Cape Town is generally cold. It is the Atlantic Ocean. However, the waters might be warmer at Muizenburg which has a good swimming beach and is on the False Bay side of Cape Town, so more protected from the elements. Fishhoek might also be warmer. If you feel like a bit of a drive to explore the Cape then Gordons Bay or Hermanus will also probably have warmer waters for swimming.
I hope this helps you. If you need anything else, or any help. Let me know
http://www.africansands.com