South Africa

South Africa Tours and Safaris

South Africa is a paradise for anyone interested in nature and a wide range of wildlife and bird species that may be encountered in parks and private reserves. Add to it natural scenery, beautiful beaches, famous landmarks plus a well-developed infrastructure and all the modern amenities.

The Republic of South Africa lies at the southern end of the African continent.

With beautiful rural areas such as the Cape Winelands, the towering dunes of the Wild Coast, the magnificent game parks of Kruger and Zululand and the Kalahari and Karoo deserts, the possibilities for tourists are endless.

As an alternative the visitor finds sophisticated cities such as Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town, or charming historic towns like Stellenbosch or Pietermaritzburg. Even the once infamous townships like Soweto are growing into vibrant cities in their own right.

Popular Destinations

  • The Kruger National Park – one of the world’s largest game reserves.
  • The Cape Town & Peninsula – includes Table Mountain, Cape Town and the famous Cape Point.
  • Sun City – like Las Vegas, but created in the bush with facilities for sailing, swimming, golfing, gambling and game viewing.
  • Pilanesberg – a few km from Sun City and closest Big Five Game Reserve to Johannesburg.
  • The Garden Route – a stretch of coast 200km.’s long of beaches, forests and mountains.
  • Kwazulu Natal Parks – various game parks in Zululand and the St. Lucia Lake area.
  • The Drakensberg – enjoy the scenic splendor of South Africa’s highest mountains and mountain resorts.
  • Johannesburg – trace the history of the “city of gold” and visit the sprawling ‘township’ of Soweto and see a different South Africa
  • Winelands – a haven of gracious, white-gabled farmsteads evoking a rich, elegant heritage.
  • Durban – on the east coast and 3rd largest city in South Africa.
  • Port Elizabeth – popular tourist destination in the Eastern Cape.

Good To Know

Visa Requirements

See section below

Languages spoken

English is widely used. The official languages are Afrikaans, English, isiNdebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, Sepedi, Sesotho, Setswana, Siswati, Tshivenda and Xitsonga.

Currency used

Rand (R)

Area (km2)

1,22 million km²

Population

57,78 million (2018)

Capital

Pretoria

Time Zone

GMT + 2

Electricity

220/240 volts AC. Three-pin round plugs are in use.

Communications

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 27. Outgoing international code: 09. Mobile telephone: GSM 900/1800 networks. Fax: Most main hotels have this service. Internet: Visitors can access their e-mail from larger hotels and internet cafes around the country.

Visas

Although these are correct at the time of publishing, please check with the necessary authorities, as such details are liable to change.

Required by all except:
(a) nationals of Britain, Australia, Canada, the USA, Japan and EU countries;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Cape Verde, Iceland, Israel, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Namibia, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Singapore, Swaziland, Switzerland and Uruguay for business, tourist or transit purposes;
(c) nationals of Costa Rica, Ecuador and St Helena for business, tourist or transit purposes of up to 90 days;
(d) nationals of all other South and Central American countries (except nationals of Colombia), Barbados, Belize, Benin, Comoro Islands, Czech Republic, Ivory Coast, Congo, Cyprus, Egypt, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Gabon, Hong Kong, Hungary, Jordan, South Korea, Kuwait, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Malta, Morocco, Mauritius, Mexico, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Peru, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovak Republic, Surinam, Taiwan (China), Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Zambia for business, tourist or transit purposes of up to 30 days.

Please verify information with the relevant authorities as it is subject to change without notification.

Tours

From Big 5 safaris to explorations of coastal wetlands and inland mountains, this is the ultimate South African journey. Spend two weeks discovering the very best of South Africa. Highlights include Big 5 safaris in the Kruger National Park, a trip through the Kingdom of...
15 Days/14 Nights
Who says romance is dead? At Ulusaba we see it every day, and not just from our human guests. The elephants who roam the Sabi Sand Reserve are often spotted cuddling each other, and when something the size of an elephant gets amorous, you’re advised...
4 Days/3 Nights
Experience South Africa’s most famous reserve: the Kruger National Park, before enjoying a meander along the scenic Panorama Route. Discover Africa’s Big Five on this short and sweet Kruger Park safari. Enjoy a number of game drives through the park, before venturing out to explore...
4 Days/3 Nights
Explore indigenous forests, ancient mountain passes and beautiful rugged beaches. Discover the scenic Garden Route, one of South Africas most beautiful coastal regions. From Cape Town travel via Cape Agulhas, the Southernmost tip of Africa, through historic Swellendam to Mossel Bay. Discover iconic sights like...
4 Days/3 Nights
Wind your way along South Africa’s scenic Panorama Route, before heading into the Kruger National Park, Swaziland and Zululand. Embark on a fully escorted adventure through South Africa and Swaziland, as you enjoy spectacular scenery and superb Big 5 game viewing in the World renowned...
7 Days/6 Nights

Climate

Inland all the rain falls in summer (November to April). Summer temperatures are high while the altitude means that nights are cool. Winter nights can be fairly cold, but days are generally warm and pleasant.
The cold Benguela current keeps the coast of the Namib Desert cool, damp and free of rain for most of the year, with a thick coastal fog.

Map

Money

Currency: Rand (R) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of R200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of R5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Currency exchange: Money can be changed at banks, bureaux de change, some hotels, and larger shops and restaurants. Automated foreign exchange machines and ATMs are available at various locations.

Credit & debit cards: MasterCard and Visa are preferred. American Express and Diners Club are also widely accepted. Some ATMs will give cash advances with credit cards.

Travelers cheques: Valid at banks, hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1530, Sat 0800-1130.

Health

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers arriving from infected areas.
Malaria risk exists in the northern regions and in Otjozondjupa and Omaheke from November to May/June and along the Kavango and Kunene rivers throughout the year.
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water, but swimming pools which are well chlorinated and well maintained are safe.

Health insurance is essential.

Public Holidays

Jan 1 New Year’s Day
Mar 21 Human Rights Day
Apr 9 Good Friday
Apr 12 Family Day
Apr 27 Freedom Day
May 1 Workers’ Day
Jun 16 Youth Day
Aug 9 National Women’s Day
Sep 24 Heritage Day
Dec 16 Day of Reconciliation
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 26 Day of Goodwill

Note: Holidays falling on a Sunday are observed the following Monday.