South Africa is a large country of over 1.2 million square kilometres and is known for its rich biodiversity and unique wildlife. Some of the country’s most famous landmarks and attractions include Cape Town’s Table Mountain, Kruger National Park and the historic Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years.
1. South Africa Quick Facts
Language English , Afrikaans , Zulu
Religion Christianity
Currency South African rand (ZAR, R)
Visa 30 Days Visa Free
Power Plugs 240 V 50 Hz (G Type)
Capital Pretoria, Cape Town , Bloemfontein
ATM ATM are easy to find in the city centre, allowing you to withdraw money in local currency using a credit or debit card.
Use card
Paying in local currency, rather than Korean Won and dollars, will result in lower fees. You can pay with credit cards from most card companies, including Visa and MasterCard
APP
Google Maps
2. Packing for your trip
Air plain Ticket
Dollar Flight Club has made it easier and cheaper to buy flights to the Airport.
SIM card
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that solves the pain of high roaming bills by giving you access to 200+ eSIMs (digital SIM cards) globally at affordable prices.
New member one-time use 15% discount coupon
10% discount coupon for multiple use by all members.
Pacsafe Pro safe 800 Luggage Lock
Good protection against snatchers or impulse thieves.
Universal Power Adapter
One of the most essential but most forgotten items in your travel gear? A power adapter!
Travel insurance
Prepare for risky situations Travel insurance can be a big help in the event of an emergency
GoPro HERO11
If you want to capture your own memories of your travels, GoPro is the way to go. It’s small, has great image quality, and is easy to carry around
3. Transportation
Public transport, such as buses and trains, is generally inexpensive, with tickets costing between $1 and $2 for a one-way trip.
Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available in most major cities, with prices varying depending on the distance traveled.
4.Safety
The security situation in South Africa varies by region, but in general, the country is known for its high crime rate. In urban areas, high levels of poverty and unemployment tend to increase the incidence of crime, especially violent crimes such as kidnapping, robbery, rape, and murder, which are well above the world average. For a city, Cape Town’s security is decent, while Johannesburg’s is quite bad, so you should take extra care.
Useful phone numbers for tourists
Police: 10111
Ambulance: 10177
Fire Service: 10111
5. Climate
South Africa has a wide range of climatic conditions, from hot, dry deserts to subtropical and temperate climates. In general, South African summers (December to February) are hot and sunny, with temperatures often exceeding 30°C (86°F) in many areas. Winters are cool and dry, with temperatures ranging from 10°C- 20°C (50°F- 68°F) in most areas. In the northern provinces, especially Limpopo and Mpumalanga, the climate is tropical and there can be a lot of rain during the summer. South Africa’s coastal areas, including Cape Town, Durban, and Port Elizabeth, have a Mediterranean climate with mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The Western Cape, which includes Cape Town and the surrounding area, is known for its Mediterranean climate.
6. price
Prices in South Africa are generally lower than in many developed countries, making it an affordable destination for many tourists.
Petrol (1 litre) 23 ZAR
McDonald’s Combo Meal:75 ZAR
Water (1.5 litres): 16 ZAR
Milk (1 litre) 17 ZAR
7. Travel precautions
South Africa is home to many protected areas, including wildlife reserves, nature reserves, and more. There are even worse penalties for damaging rare protected plants than for hurting people.
In South Africa, there are two types of dinner invitations: one is a ‘teatime invitation’ for tea, and the other is a regular dinner invitation. If you receive an invitation, make sure you know which one it is.
8. Etiquette & Service Tip
Always shake hands when meeting and greeting people, and in the provinces, close friends shake hands three times with their thumbs together and then rotate their hands. A light kiss is also a common greeting between family members and colleagues, even if they are not romantically involved.
When receiving an object, it’s polite to hold out your hand like a cup and take it with both hands, and some indigenous South Africans may consider it rude to gesture with your left hand.
Tip
Tip in South Africa is expected to be around 10-15 per cent. In taxis, expect to pay about 10 per cent in local currency, and in some urban centres and major tourist attractions, it is acceptable to tip in dollars.
10. Holidays
The following are the national public holidays for 2024:
1 Jan Mon New Year’s Day
21 Mar Thu Human Rights Day
29 Mar Fri Good Friday
1 Apr Mon Family Day
27 Apr Sat Freedom Day
1 May Wed Workers’ Day
16 Jun Sun Youth Day
17 Jun Mon Youth Day Holiday
9 Aug Fri National Women’s Day
24 Sep Tue Heritage Day
16 Dec Mon Day of Reconciliation
25 Dec Wed Christmas Day
26 Dec Thu Day of Goodwill
2025 National Public Holidays:
Wednesday, 1 January : New Year’s Day
Friday, 21 March : Human Rights Day
Friday, 18 April : Good Friday
Monday, 21 April : Family Day
Sunday, 27 April : Freedom Day
Monday, 28 April : Freedom Day Holiday
Thursday, 1 May : Workers’ Day
Monday, 16 June : Youth Day
Saturday, 9 August : National Women’s Day
Wednesday, 24 September : Heritage Day
Tuesday, 16 December: Day of Reconciliation
Thursday, 25 December: Christmas Day
Friday, 26 December: Day of Goodwill