When thinking of South Africa, most foreigners think of Nelson Mandela, Table Mountain, wild safaris and excellent wine. But spend a bit of time exploring South Africa and you’ll find there is so much more to this travel destination.
Locals are friendly and immensely proud of the country, generally very happy to share ideas of places to visit and things to see and do. The weather is fantastic for a large part of the year and there is a huge amount of variety. Whether you’re looking for the nightlife & beaches of Cape Town, the Big 5 of the Kruger Park or wine tasting in Stellenbosch, South Africa has something to offer.
In this, our essential South Africa travel guide, we look at the best things to do and see. We answer questions like “do I need a visa to travel to South Africa”, “when is the best time to visit South Africa” or “is it safe to travel to South Africa”?
Contents
Why Visit South Africa
When To Visit South Africa
Getting To South Africa
Getting Around South Africa
Where To Stay in South Africa
Things To Do In South Africa
Eating & Drinking in South Africa
Visas For Travel in South Africa
Crime In South Africa
Vaccinations For Travel To South Africa
Why Visit South Africa
South Africa is one of the cheapest travel destinations on the planet. Mix that with a blend of African and European cultures and friendly people and it’s hard to find a reason not to travel to South Africa.
South Africa is a country with diverse options to suit the tastes of every traveller. Whether you’d interested in lounging on white sandy beaches, going on safari with the Big 5, surfing, hiking, partying or adventuring, South Africa has something to offer.
The currency is relatively depressed when compared to the US dollar and the British pound so, while it is a bit expensive to get there (it’s a long-haul flight!) your travel funds are likely to get you very far once you’re there.
When To Visit South Africa
Like any good traveller, you’ll be asking yourself, “when is the best time to visit South Africa?”
South Africa is a truly year-round destination and the time of year you travel is largely dependent on what you plan to do when you get there.
The Western Cape (home of the famous Cape Town) has gorgeous, scorching hot, dry weather in the summer months which are between November and February. If you’re planning on whale watching, July to November are your best bet.
If your main reason for travelling to South Africa is to view big game in the multitude of safari parks, your best time to travel is in the cooler winter months from May to September. At this time of year, the animals are less likely to be hiding in the shade from the summer sun, meaning you’re more likely to see them.
Check out our South Africa travel guide, broken down month-by-month:
Visiting South Africa in January
January delivers very hot and and very dry weather in the Cape. This means it's a perfect time of year to visit Cape Town (just after the Christmas tourists have left) and the Garden Route. The Kruger National Park and KwaZulu Natal very hery high temperatures, but these hot and sunny periods are broken up with with heavy, tropical rainstorms.
Visiting South Africa in February
February in South Africa is the equivelent of July/August in the northern hemisphere - it's very hot! It's one of the most popular times to visit South Africa, so hotels are usually booked up in advance. It's a brilliant time to visit the wine regions of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl as it's right in the height of harvest season.
Visiting South Africa in March
The Easter break often falls in March, so it's a popular time to visit South Africa. You're nearing the end of the rainy season in the north, so if you're planning on heading on safari at this time, you'll find thick, green bush and full rivers. The country is still hot throughout, although evenings on the coast can begin to feel cooler.
Visiting South Africa in April
April in South Africa is still very warm, but cool enough that you can comfortably move between the regions. It's a popular time of year and an advisable time to travel if you plan on doing safaris, beaches and the winelands all in the same trip. It can begin to rain a bit in the Cape and the rainy season in the north is coming to an end.
Visiting South Africa in May
When May comes around, the summer crowds have started to thin out, but the weather is still great in many parts of the country. The rainy season is almost at it's peak in the Cape, so if you're looking for a beach break, avoid this time of year. However, with cooler and drier days across much of the rest of the country, it's a fantastic time of year to go on safari.Notable events and festivals
- Riebeek Valley Olive Festival in the Swartland
- Wacky Wine Weekend in the Robertson wine valley
Visiting South Africa in June
Winter in the Cape enjoys cooler temperatures and is a great time to visit the Winelands. It's never particularly cold during the days, but you will enjoy roaring fires at night. The mountains of the Cape see a light dusting of snow in the higher altitudes. The Cape experiences it's wettest season at this time of year, so it's not a great time to visit if you're planning on outdoor activities like hiking, camping or lounging on the beach. Cape Town is best seen in the summer, but if you're visiting the Kruger Park, Durban or Johannesburg, this is a perfectly acceptable time to travel. As it's the low season, prices throughout the country are at their best.
Visiting South Africa in July
Whale watching season begins in earnest in July. This amazing natural wonder is best viewed from the coastal towns of Plettenberg Bay and Hermanus. The southern right whales begin their migration, with their baby whales, from the cold waters of Antartica to the warmer climate of South Africa. Equally, it now drier in the north and much of the vegetation will have thinned out, making it much easier to see big game when on safari. The watering holes on the game parks become important sources of water for the animals in the drier months, so you'll see a lot more game congregating around these areas.Notable events and festivals
- Whale watching season starts (July to November). This is the best time of year to catch a glimpse of the southern right whale.
Visiting South Africa in August
August in South Africa is when spring begins. Flowers across the Northern Cape and Western Cape begin to bloom and the regions are carpeted with colourful flowers. Locals often travel to see them. The Cape in general is not warm at this time and the famous cable car to the top of Table Mountain is closed for maintenance. However, August is a fantastic time of year to visit the KwaZulu Natal, as temperatures are still clement.
Visiting South Africa in September
September in South Africa sees the temperatures start to rise and the flowers on the West Coast are now in full bloom. Even so, mornings and evenings remain a bit chilly. Many animals are giving birth at this time of year, so it’s a great time for safaris or whale watching.
Visiting South Africa in October
October is one of the best months to combine regions in South Africa. Temperatures are rising but it’s not yet the rainy season up north. The Garden Route is beautiful at this time of year. If you’re planning on self-driving from Cape Town to Knysna, this is the time to do it.
Visiting South Africa in November
November in South Africa is when the summer temperatures really start to kick in. The rainy season in the Kruger and in Kwazulu Natal are getting started and you’ll be treated to many late afternoon thunderstorms in these regions. The whale watching season is coming to an end and it’s also a great time of year to visit the inland areas before they become too hot. Paternoster, The Karoo and Brede River are all great options for November in South Africa. The penguins of Boulders Beach and Cape Point are a highlight and now is a good time to see them before the summer crowds get too hectic.
Visiting South Africa in December
December is the festive season when the offices, schools and universities are shut. This means that attractions and restaurants can get booked up in advance not only by international, but local holidaymakers as well. The weather in the Cape is very hot and very dry and it’s a perfect time of year for hitting the beaches before the wind picks up in January and February. The beaches are full, but there are so many amazing beaches in the Cape, there are plenty to choose from.
Getting To South Africa
Getting Around South Africa
Public transport in South Africa is patchy. When travelling within the cities, the majority of locals travel in minibus taxis which are unbelievably cheap, but can be unsafe. They are typically overcrowded, as well as being under-regulated (meaning many are potentially not roadworthy). If possible, avoid these unless you’re up for an adventure.
Within the major cities, Uber is fairly common, so this is a good way of getting around for short trips.
When traveling between cities, The Shosholoza Meyl long-distance passenger trains are an unbelievable bargain one of South Africa’s best kept secrets. They travel between all the major cities. You can travel the 1200km all the way from Johannesburg to Cape Town for R690 (that’s £40 or $50) and this includes a bed. On this route, you’ll travel through all the same gorgeous scenery as the ultra-expensive Blue Train for a fraction of the price.
Trains typically don’t travel as regularly as they do in Europe, with many going only once an hour, once a day or even as rarely as 2 or 3 times a week, so you’ll need to plan ahead.
There are international airports in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth and Nelspruit (useful for those looking to fly straight to the game parks in the north). National flights between the major hubs are relatively cheap (check out the budget airlines, Mango and Kulula) but can be quite expensive if you travel on a less popular route.
When travelling between cities, coaches are one of your cheapest options, although bear in mind that South Africa is a vast country, so you might be in for a long journey, depending on where you’re planning on travelling.
Self-driving is also an excellent way of getting around. Car hire is comparably cheap and the roads are mostly in good condition. Most of the major international car hire companies are present in South Africa and there are plenty of smaller independent car rental businesses.
Where To Stay in South Africa
Things To Do In South Africa
Eating & Drinking in South Africa
South Africa was founded as a shipping port for European traders travelling to The Far East. As such, the cuisine is a unique blend of European and Eastern flavours. Meat features heavily in the South African diet and you’re never going to have to try too hard to find a South African having a braai (BBQ), with boerewors (a rich, aromatic sausage), chicken sosaties (skewers) and lamb chops.
Speak to any South African about the local food and it won’t be long before they mention biltong. Biltong is like currency in South Africa. It’s a dried and cured meat – similar to American jerky – Speak to any South African about the local food and it won’t be long before they mention biltong. Biltong is like currency in South Africa.which can be bought at just about any shop in the country. I’ve even seen it served on pizza. If you’ve tried biltong in your home country and didn’t enjoy it, I would still recommend giving it another go, as the local variety is far superior.
South Africa has recently become a global leader in wine production. Predominantly produced in the Western Cape, particularly Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschoek and the Swartland.
Before the the year 2000, South African Wines barely made it onto the lower shelf of the grocery store. Most of the decent wine that South Africa produced was for the local market and the rest was distilled into brandy. Today the story is changing and South African wines have emerged as both some of the best valued red and white wines and in the highest quality.
As is the case in countries across the globe, the South African craft beer scene is booming. Local mass-produced ales and lagers are very cheap (1.50 USD/1.10 GBP/2.00 AUD), but you’ll do well to try some of the local artisanal beers.
Visas For Travel in South Africa
Crime In South Africa
There’s no getting around the fact that South Africa has a terrible (and deserved) reputation for crime. If you live in the west (and particularly in the UK), you’re constantly told horror stories about the crime rate in South Africa. You would be forgiven for thinking that South Africa is no-go zone for tourists. I’m here to tell you, that simply isn’t the case.
Yes, the US State Department and the governments of most Western nations advise that you exercise extreme caution when visiting SA. Yes, 49 people are murdered in South Africa every day. No, you are not likely to be one of them.
Like any country, there are parts that you feel completely safe in and there are parts that you would recommend steering clear of.
Cape Town’s beaches and tourist attractions, for example, has a comparatively low rate of violent crime. Go wine tasting in Stellenbosch and the likelyhood of being a victim of any kind of crime is very low. Equally, you are very unlikely to be the victim of any crime while on safari. While there are risks everywhere, you are unlikely to be the victim of serious or violent crime if you stick to the tourist areas and remain vigilant.
The vast majority of South Africans are friendly and welcoming and always happy to show you around, proudly showing off their homeland. However, South Africa is a country with extreme wealth disparity and much of the country lives in extreme poverty. Flashing your wealth around (smartphones, expensive watches, jewellery, wallets full of cash etc), is has the potential to attract the wrong kind of attention. I would advise you to keep vigilant at night.
Vaccinations For Travel To South Africa
We’re not medical professionals, so we can’t give any advice on vaccinations. However, we have naturally had to do a ton of research into the vaccinations required for travel around the world and South African vaccinations in particular.
All we can do is offer some of the answer and resources we’ve found along the way. It should go without saying but please ensure you speak to a registered, licensed medical professional for the latest travel vaccination advice.
As with any travel, travellers should always ensure they are up-to-date with their routine vaccinations. In the UK, these vaccinations include for example measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine and diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.
Yellow Fever
There is no risk of yellow fever in this country, however, if you are travelling from a country that has a risk of yellow fever, you will require a certificate confirming you have been vaccinated.
This applies to travellers over 1 year old that have travelled from countries with risk of yellow fever, as well as for travellers who have been in transit for more than 12 hours in an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Malaria Risk
The vast majority of South Africa has no risk of malaria. However, depending on where you’re travelling to in South Africa, there is some risk of malaria.
Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease which is transmitted by mosquitoes when they bite you. You cannot be vaccinated against malaria, but you can take anti-malarials to reduce the risk of contracting the disease. However, prevention is better than cure applies here. The only way to 100% protect against malaria is to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes. If travelling to a high-risk area, make use of mosquito repellant, cover exposed skin and sleep under a mosquito net if possible.
Vaccines Most Travellers Will Need
- Hepatitis A
- Tetanus
- Typhoid
Vaccines Some Travellers Will Need
- Cholera
- Hepatitis B
- Rabies
- Tuberculosis (TB)
For more, detailed information on South Africa travel vaccinations, it’s definitely worthwhile checking out these sites:
- Travel Health Pro – South Africa Vaccine Recommendations
- Fit For Travel (NHS) – South Africa Travel Immunisations
