Located on the southernmost tip of the African continent, South Africa is one of the prefered destinations for safaris in the world. Full of adventure, history, wildlife and world-class wines; these are just a few of the many reasons why you should visit South Africa at least once in your life.

Why Visit South Africa

WILDLIFE

South Africa is home to an abundant variety of wildlife with nearly 300 species of mammals and 850 species of birds. Going on a safari and spotting the famous Big Five is on many people’s bucket lists. Kruger National Park, in the north of the country, is one of the most famous places where you can spot the Big Five.  

LANDSCAPES

South Africa is the world’s top most biodiverse country, featuring an incredible diverse scenery with mountains, forests, coasts and deserts.

ADVENTURE

If you are an adrenaline junkie, South Africa is the perfect destination for you. It offers a wide range of activities available such as bungee jumping, rafting, kitesurfing, white water rafting, hot air ballooning, abseiling, mountain biking, helicopter rides, skydiving and much more.

DIVERSITY

As the country has 11 national languages, you can just start to imagine. With a rich history that dates to the beginnings of the human race, the african tribes and the colonization, the country boost a variety of cultures and languages, that influenced their traditions, culture and cuisine. 

South Africa Postcard

Located on the southernmost tip of the African continent, South Africa is one of the prefered destinations for safaris in the world. Full of adventure, history, wildlife and world-class wines; these are just a few of the many reasons why you should visit South Africa at least once in your life.

South Africa Postcard

Why Visit South Africa

WILDLIFE

South Africa is home to an abundant variety of wildlife with nearly 300 species of mammals and 850 species of birds. Going on a safari and spotting the famous Big Five is on many people’s bucket lists. Kruger National Park, in the north of the country, is one of the most famous places where you can spot the Big Five.  

LANDSCAPES

South Africa is the world’s top most biodiverse country, featuring an incredible diverse scenery with mountains, forests, coasts and deserts.

ADVENTURE

If you are an adrenaline junkie, South Africa is the perfect destination for you. It offers a wide range of activities available such as bungee jumping, rafting, kitesurfing, white water rafting, hot air ballooning, abseiling, mountain biking, helicopter rides, skydiving and much more.

DIVERSITY

As the country has 11 national languages, you can just start to imagine. With a rich history that dates to the beginnings of the human race, the african tribes and the colonization, the country boost a variety of cultures and languages, that influenced their traditions, culture and cuisine. 

  • Name: Republic of South Africa
  • Capital: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)
  • Official Languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Tswana, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda, Southern Ndebele
  • Independence from the United Kingdom
  • Currency: South African Rand
  • Time Zone: UTC + 2 (SAST)
  • Name: Republic of South Africa
  • Capital: Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial), Cape Town (legislative)
  • Official Languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Tswana, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, Swazi, Venda, Southern Ndebele
  • Independence from the United Kingdom
  • Currency: South African Rand
  • Time Zone: UTC + 2 (SAST)

Bucket list

What to expect

LANGUAGE

Even though South Africa has 11 official languages, Zulu is the most spoken one (23% of the population). The majority of its citizens are fluent in at least two.  English is widely used as a second language and common language of communication, mainly in the cities.

ELECTRICITY

In South Africa the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. That’s the standard voltage in the UK, Europe, Australia and most of Asia and Africa; If you are traveling from the US you will need an adaptor

CURRENCY

South African Rand is the official currency in South Africa. Dollars and euros are accepted in the majority of touristic places, restaurants and hotels, as well as all the major credit cards, but some places like local markets and small vendors will only take cash in rands so it is smart to exchange some money during your trip. 1 USD is equivalent to about 15.25 South African Rands.

SAFETY

South Africa does have a high crime rate, but mostly on the big cities and poor neighborhoods, especially after dark. Muggings, break-ins, and petty theft are common, but still thousands of visitors travel there every year without a incident. Caution and common sense will do it. Try not to wear expensive jewelry, and avoid leaving valuables inside if you rent a car. 

CLIMATE

South Africa’s weather is not so easily summarized as the country features diverse climate depending on the location and altitude. It is a seasonal country, with summer, fall, winter, and spring. I would recommend to check the weather of the specific places you are going to visit, and to pack for all occasions just in case. 

How to get around South Africa

By plane: South Africa offers a really good network of internal flights (with O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg being the busiest airport on the entire continent) but prices can get a little high. Most in-country routes are operated by SAA or its affiliates, or by budget carriers Mango and Kulula.

By bus: If you are willing to visit the remotes area of the country, bus is your best (and cheapest) option. They are also safe, and they usually offer air conditioning. Intercape, Greyhound and Translux are the three main companies. For shorter distances, Baz Bus, (a hop-on, hop-off service) offers great deals and is usually the cheapest option available. 

By train: Even though trains are the slowest transportation option, they offer great comfort and an alternative to enjoy South Africa’s scenic views and landscapes. They are also less expensive than flights.

By car: Roads are really well maintained and renting car is a great option to get around. Most major rental companies offer their services in South Africa. Renting a car also gives you the flexibility of visiting wildlife reserves and national parks without joining a tour. The challenge in here (if you are coming from the US or Europe) is to get used to drive on the left side. 

Taxis are also available if you wanna move around the city. Private taxis aren’t that common and it would be easier to contact a company for the service (or ask for help at your hotel). Minibuses on the other hand are the most common way of transportation for south africans, they are really inexpensive but they are not precisely safe to take some precautions before hopping in.

Visa Policy

A visa is not required for the majority of nationalities (like European Union and the US) who are free to enter the country without visa. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 1 month after departure. If you wanna find whether you are required to apply for a visa or not, check this article.

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