With a rich and diverse heritage, vibrant cities and wildlife-packed savannahs, South Africa offers travellers a kaleidoscope of experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else. Whether you take the cable car to the top of Cape Town’s dazzling Table Mountain, get a humbling masterclass in apartheid history in the township of Soweto, or spot lions, rhinos and zebra on safari in Kruger National Park, you can expect to be bowled over by the rainbow nation’s splendor.
Visa requirements may change, for the most up-to-date information we recommend using our Entry Requirements tool. Alternatively, check the South African embassy website in your country of departure.
Please note that a yellow fever vaccination will be required upon entry if you’re travelling from these countries in Africa and Latin America.
Other vaccinations to consider include hepatitis a, hepatitis b, rabies, tetanus, typhoid, and polio.
As advice can often change, you can check out our Entry Requirements tool for the most up-to-date details on vaccination requirements.
Generally speaking, the best time to visit South Africa is between May and October when the cooler weather brings the best wildlife viewing opportunities at the country’s national parks.
Summer (November to February) brings the best weather, and if you’re looking to go whale watching, then you’ll need to visit between the months of July to September.
South Africa is a year-round destination, and as it’s so large, the weather changes depending on where you are in the country. In general though, December to the end of March is summer, when temperatures reach an average of 24-30°C (75.2-86°C) and can sometimes go even higher.
In the Western Cape and Cape Town where it has more of a Mediterranean climate, the majority of the rainfall tends to fall between the months of June to September — in the rest of the country, it’s from November to March. Much of the interior of the country is at higher elevation, which lowers temperatures significantly — expect lows of around 4°C (39.2°F) at night.
There’s a tipping culture in South Africa, and the usual ballpark figure is around 10% for good service in restaurants and other hospitality venues. If the service is exceptional, then go for 15-20% instead.
You can use this guideline for staff on your tour if you'd like to show appreciation:
Even though it’s not the best or fastest internet access in the world, there are loads of places you can access Wi-Fi across South Africa — particularly in the Western Cape and Cape Town. In rural areas like national parks, it may be much slower so be prepared.
Most ATM machines in South Africa accept Mastercard and Visa debit cards and don't charge a local ATM fee. There are ATMs everywhere here, even in small rural towns, though due to power outages, they may be out of use.
Also, ATMs outside of larger centres often run out of cash or can be out of order unexpectedly. As such, please don't rely on credit or debit cards as your only source of money. A combination of foreign currency and debit/credit cards for cash advances is best.
As currency exchange rates can fluctuate often we ask that you refer to www.xe.com for daily exchange rates.
South Africa is famous for being Africa’s most LGBTQ+-friendly destination, and it remains the only country in Africa to allow same-sex marriage. Cape Town is probably the epicentre of LGBTQ+ culture, and there’s a whole host of bars, restaurants, and clubs catering to LGBTQ+ people. Be aware though that in certain other areas of the country, it’s much more conservative.
As part of their commitment, all CEOs receive LGBTQ+ inclusion training so every traveller feels respected and welcomed on all of our tours. We commit to making our tours a safe and inclusive place for people to express their authentic selves without judgment, free from any discriminatory language or harassment.
While travelling with G Adventures, all travellers must treat each other with dignity and respect to create an environment that is positive, safe, and where everyone feels welcome. You can find out more via our LGBTQ+ travel page.
There are eleven official languages in South Africa — English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, and Zulu are the most widely spoken — but there are countless other languages spoken here too including Venda, Tswana, and Sesotho.
The safety of tap water varies across South Africa. In larger cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg, the water is generally safe to drink. However, in rural areas, you should stick to bottled water.
Please note however that all drinks provided on our tours are safe to drink (including drinks with ice), as well as the water in most hotels and restaurants visited on tour. If in doubt, please ask your CEO for further info.
South Africa has high levels of crime, and you do need to have your wits about you — particularly at night. Always take an Uber or similar if you’re looking to go out when darkness falls, and don’t flash your valuables at any point. Avoid inner-city trains, and be careful on walking trails where you can be targeted by robbers.
Be aware that there are sharks, snakes, and other dangerous animals here, so take heed of local warnings, and be prepared for significant weather changes throughout the day. Most visits here are safe — it just pays to be vigilant just in case.
G Adventures takes all reasonable measures to ensure your safety and enjoyment while travelling with us. All of the included activities are properly vetted and regularly checked by us, and we take great care in choosing the right transportation, stays throughout your trip, and guides to lead your tour. However, there are always inherent risks when travelling — you can find out more via our travel safety page.
South Africa’s got it all. We’re talking about world-class hiking trails, white-sand beaches, and centuries-old towns brimming with cultural heritage. But what should you pack to ensure your trip will be a blast?
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