Welcome to the club!
EVERYWHERE IS WAITING FOR YOU. JOIN THE CLUB AND VISIT SOUTH AFRICA!
FAQ BEFORE YOU VISIT SOUTH AFRICA
Languages
As a vibrant multicultural nation, South Africa has 12 official languages which are spoken across the country. The most common first languages of South Africans is Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, and English.
Travelling in South Africa you can easily navigate the country and engage meaningfully with locals using English.
Currency and Budget
The national currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). 1 CAD ≈ 13 ZAR.
It is very possible to travel in South Africa on a budget. Although the cost of flights to get to South Africa come at a high cost, travel within the country and meals and activities are much more affordable with foreign dollars.
Visas
More than half of all countries need a visa to visit South Africa, however tourists from Canada, the United States, and much of Europe can travel visa-free for up to 90 days.
Make sure to check the visa requirements for your country if you are planning a trip to South Africa. For the latest visa requirements I check Sherpa.
Safety
Safety in South Africa can vary between areas. While some neighbourhoods can be more risky, many tourist destinations, like central Cape Town, have enhanced security measures.
Staying aware of your surroundings (particularly after dark), avoiding higher-risk areas, and following local advice helps ensure a safer experience as a traveller.
While it is important to consider the safety and the potential risks of travelling to South Africa, I encourage you to look beyond the ‘scary’ stories that get told about the country. South Africa is incredibly beautiful, full of vibrancy and kind individuals, and is absolutely worth visiting.
As with everywhere, make sure you travel with insurance. Here are my recommendations to ensure your safety.
Travel Season
South Africa’s peak season is during it’s Summer months from November to March.
Uber drivers and bartenders warned me that once Summer hits South Africa (Cape Town in particular) gets extremely busy – especially during December and January when the schools are also on their Summer break.
Although the country is most alive during Summer, it is worth considering shoulder season when things are slightly calmer and before prices jump.
How Many Days
I wouldn’t spend less than 2 weeks in South Africa. My personal recommendation however would be to spend 3 (or more) weeks in the country.
Given it’s geographic location at the southern tip of Africa, for people from most countries it is a serious haul to visit, so it would be a shame to make it a flying visit.
Cape Town: 7 days
Kruger National Park: 4 days
Johannesburg: 1 day (or simply transit through)
Garden Route: 6 days
Winelands: 1 day
Must Try Foods
Biltong – Air-dried, cured meat like a jerky.
Durban Curry – A spicy, flavorful dish that originated in Durban.
Kota – A street food sandwich that originated in Soweto.
Wines – From South Africa’s Coastal Region, including Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoe.
Tap water
Tap water is generally safe to drink in urban South African areas, like the major cities as well as the towns along the Garden Route.
However, in rural areas like Kruger Park it is not recommended to drink the tap water. You can buy bottled water or use a water purifier if you’re staying in the bush.
Where to stay
By far the best place to book accommodations worldwide is through Booking.com. They have a huge selection of places to stay, from boutique hotels, luxury resorts, budget-friendly hostels, or complete apartments you can find it all on Booking and always at the best prices.
