Welcome to South Africa!

As a first-time traveller, you may have questions and uncertainties about your upcoming trip to this beautiful and diverse country, South Africa.

This FAQ guide aims to address some common queries and provide you with essential information to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

From stunning landscapes and vibrant cities to rich cultural heritage and fascinating wildlife, South Africa offers a wide array of attractions and experiences.

Whether you’re planning a safari adventure, exploring bustling urban centres, or immersing yourself in the country’s history and culture, this guide will help you navigate your way through the journey.

We’ll cover topics such as visa requirements, transportation options, safety considerations, local customs, and more. So, let’s dive in and get you well-prepared for your exciting adventure in South Africa!

If this is your First International Trip, please check out this first time Guide for Travellers.

Best Wishes
Dome Home
🧡


🟢🟡⚫️🔴How much is the taxi from Johannesburg to Mpumalanga?🟢🟡⚫️🔴
The fastest way to get from Johannesburg to Mpumalanga is to taxi which takes 3h 24m and costs R 2 200 - R 2 700. Is there a direct bus between Johannesburg and Mpumalanga? Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Johannesburg Park and arriving at Witbank. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 How many hours from Mpumalanga to Cape Town with a bus?🟢🟡⚫️🔴
The best way to get from Mpumalanga to Cape Town is to bus which takes 22h 27m and costs R 1 000 - R 1 500. Alternatively, you can fly, which costs R 2 700 - R 6 000 and takes 5h 17m.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Which Airlines fly out to Nelspruit?🟢🟡⚫️🔴
There are 4 different airlines at Nelspruit (MQP) with direct flights to 7 destinations in 5 countries.

Airlink (South Africa) 6 destinations.
Safair. 2 destinations.
Air Botswana. 1 destination.
Fastjet. 1 destination.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 When we land and collect the car we want to be able to pick up groceries and snacks for the park. Where is the safest place to buy groceries and some yummy food? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
We have for sure very yummy food/snacks in SA. Like "biltong, boere beskuit, melktert etc... and mush more to try ... 😋.

We have several outstanding grocery shopping centres around: 1.
Pick'nPay 2. Checkers 3. Spar 4. Woolworths 5. Food Lover's Market 6. Macro


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 If you come to SA as a family, pls. bring the right paperwork 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
Carry the relevant paperwork if you’re travelling with a kid. If you’re entering or leaving South Africa with a child under the age of 18, you’ll need to have a few extra bits of paper in your carry-on bag. In a bid to stamp out child trafficking, all minors need to have an "unabridged" birth certificate – that is, one that lists both parents’ names. If only one parent is travelling with the child, you’ll need an affidavit from the other parent confirming that they give consent for the child to travel. The rules keep changing and papers are not always checked, but it’s wise to have the documents on hand just in case.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Carry cash, just not too much 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
While credit and debit cards are widely accepted, there are still a few places in South Africa that only take cash. It’s best to keep a small stash of notes and coins for purchases at corner stores, buying things from market traders and for the various tips you’ll be expected to give throughout the day (more on tipping below).

Of course, it’s not wise to walk around with large wads of cash on your person, so keep the bulk of your money hidden away in the hotel safe, or withdraw modest amounts from ATMs while you are out and about. Be wary of using ATMs on the street; theft and card scams are common, so it’s best to stick to machines inside malls or banks.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Buy a South African SIM card and use local Wi-Fi 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
Public Wi-Fi is fairly easy to find in larger cities and more touristed towns, but if you’re planning on wandering far from the main population centres, it’s worth picking up a South African SIM card on arrival at the airport. The card costs just a few rand, but like pretty much everything in South Africa, it does come with a bit of paperwork. You’ll need to “RICA” your SIM card – a fairly simple registration process that requires a photo ID and confirmation of your address in South Africa (a simple booking confirmation will suffice).


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 If you want to see SA, you need to rent a car 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
There's no sugar-coating it – public transport in South Africa often falls short. Long-distance bus services exist but routes tend to bypass many smaller destinations, and fares can be expensive for shorter hops. Long-distance trains are unreliable, and hitchhiking is most definitely not recommended. If you want to see the country, you’re going to have to rent a car. Fortunately, there are plenty of fantastic road trips to choose from, and all the big car hire companies are represented in South Africa – just be sure to book ahead, especially if you’re travelling in the November to March peak season.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Be more cautious when driving in cities 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
When first moved to South Africa, there was so much talk of carjackers that I expected to find balaclava-clad people lurking at every intersection waiting to appropriate my vehicle. I remember panicking at the gas station because I had to lower the window to pay, then passing my cash through an inch-high gap before driving away, stressed and sweating.

These days I often drive with the windows down, but I do approach "robots" (the local term for traffic lights) with caution, always leaving a car-length gap in front of me just in case I need to make a quick escape. Be cautious while driving, but not paranoid. Keep your doors locked and be extra vigilant when driving at night, keeping your windows up and your wits about you.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Listen to the locals (but be ready for a little exaggeration) 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
Local advice is always important, particularly in countries that have a reputation for crime and social problems. In South Africa, the host at your accommodation is a good person to ask about the best bars or restaurants, how to get around and which areas to avoid.

Just be aware that there are many awesome attractions found in areas that South African locals – particularly older locals – wouldn’t consider visiting. Once, while staying in a guest house in suburban Durban, I asked the owner if there were any places to avoid and she replied “The CBD” (city centre), which would have cut my sightseeing rather short. South Africans tend to exaggerate the danger posed by crime – it’s almost a part of the national psyche, and a favourite topic of conversation. You might have to do a bit more research to sort out the worthwhile warnings from the sometimes-inevitable scaremongering.

Expect to tip at restaurants, gas stations and even parking lots.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Be prepared to tip 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
South Africa has a strong tipping culture. In many customer-facing industries, salaries are low and workers make much of their money from tips. Restaurant staff will expect a top of around 10%, but leaving 12–15% will generate bigger smiles. Drivers never pump their gas in South Africa; you’ll be expected to pay at least R5 to the person filling your tank, or R10–20 if the attendant also checks your tyres, oil or water.

Then there are South Africa’s informal parking attendants. While larger cities and towns have areas with pay-as-you-go street parking, in most places, you can park at the side of the road for free… sort of. Ubiquitous car guards will offer to keep an eye on your car while you’re away, and they come in a range of helpfulness levels.

Some will go the extra mile, stopping traffic to help you back out into a busy street. Others are opportunists who approach as you pull out your keys, claiming they were keeping a close eye on your car while you were shopping. Reward car guards according to the service they provide – a R5 coin is the standard thank you but R10 is more appropriate for someone who provided a more useful service.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 South African English takes some getting used to 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
While there are 11 official languages in South Africa, you’ll almost always find someone who speaks English, unless you’re in a remote rural area. There will still be a few local phrases that trip you up. One thing that often baffles foreigners is the (extremely liberal) use of the word “shame.” It’s a versatile word in South Africa. A cute child fell asleep in the car? Shame. A close family member passed away? Shame. Busy week at the office meaning you couldn’t make Friday drinks? Shame. The word is often preceded by the utterance "ag" and followed by the word "man." So the phrase "Ag, shame man" can mean anything from “awww” to “Oh no, that’s terrible!”

Also frequently used is the word “hectic.” While it can be used to discuss a particularly busy intersection, it could also be used to describe a ridiculously tall building, a very long line at the bank, an insanely windy day or a particularly large baby being born. In South Africa, hectic doesn’t mean busy – it usually means "wow."


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Expect lots of talk about politics and power outage 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
Certain subjects are off-limits in every country, but in South Africa, politics is not one of them. Everyone has an opinion on the government’s latest endeavours, whether that’s discussing the abundance of potholes, the latest corruption scandal or – more often than not – the government's failure to provide (electrical) power to the people. You'll very quickly become familiar with the inconvenience of what locals call "load-shedding."

Load-shedding is a never-ending series of planned power outages designed to take pressure off the ailing electricity grid. Cities and towns are split into zones, and depending on the severity of the load-shedding, you might end up without power for anything from two to 12 hours a day. There are eight "stages" of load-shedding, broken up into two-hour slots. Larger hotels won’t be affected thanks to backup generators, but if you’re staying in a guesthouse, hostel or private home, you are bound to encounter load-shedding at some point in your stay.

Many places come equipped with fail-safes such as emergency lights, backup power for fridges and Wi-Fi hubs, and sometimes generators big enough to power the whole property. Your host will likely give you daily updates on when the power will be off, or there’s a handy app – EskomSePush – that has all the details and comes with a handy warning notification.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Driving in the emergency lane is standard practice 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
While greetings, table manners and general day-to-day etiquette in South Africa should largely be familiar, the way South Africans drive can be a bit of a culture shock for visitors. One of the most idiosyncratic rules of the road is “yellow line driving” – many roads are single-lane highways, and enterprising drivers often use the emergency lane (hard shoulder) as a backup.

If you’re on a highway and a driver behind you indicates that they want to get by, you'll be expected to briefly move across the yellow line into the emergency lane to let them pass. If you don’t, you’re likely to find yourself privy to another favorite local driving habit: tailgating. Drivers will usually flash their hazard lights in thanks as they pass, but be aware that obliging drivers aren’t the only thing to be found on the hard shoulder. Always make sure there is good visibility before you pull over, for around the next corner you might find a troop of baboons, a stray cow or a bunch of school kids walking home.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Do I need a visa to visit South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
Yes, American, English, French, Italian & Spanish etc. citizens are required to obtain a visa before traveling to South Africa. You can apply for a visa at the South African embassy or consulate in your country.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Is it safe to travel to South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
South Africa, like any other destination, has its own safety considerations. It is advisable to take necessary precautions, such as avoiding isolated areas at night, keeping valuable belongings secure, and being aware of your surroundings. Stay updated on travel advisories and follow local guidelines for a safe and enjoyable trip.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 What currency is used in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
The currency used in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR). It is recommended to exchange currency at authorized exchange offices or withdraw cash from ATMs. Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities and tourist areas.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 What language is spoken in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
South Africa has 11 official languages, including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Xhosa, and more. English is commonly spoken, especially in tourist areas and major cities.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 What is the best time to visit South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
South Africa’s climate varies across regions, but generally, the best time to visit is during the spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May) seasons when the weather is mild and pleasant. However, it is worth considering the specific attractions and activities you plan to engage in as different regions may have different optimal times.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 What are the must-visit attractions in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
South Africa offers a wide range of attractions, including iconic landmarks such as Table Mountain in Cape Town, Kruger National Park for wildlife safaris, the stunning Garden Route, the vibrant city of Johannesburg, and the picturesque Cape Winelands, to name a few. Research and plan your itinerary based on your interests and preferences.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 What vaccinations do I need before traveling to South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
It is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional or travel clinic to determine the required vaccinations for your trip to South Africa. Routine vaccinations, such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, and influenza vaccine, are generally recommended. Additional vaccinations may be required based on the specific areas you plan to visit and the activities you will engage in.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Is it necessary to have travel insurance? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
While travel insurance is not mandatory, it is highly recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation or interruption, lost or stolen belongings, and other unforeseen circumstances. It provides peace of mind and financial protection in case of any unexpected situations.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Can I drink tap water in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
It is generally safe to drink tap water in major cities and tourist areas of South Africa. However, if you are unsure or prefer to be cautious, it is advisable to drink bottled water, especially in more remote locations.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 What are some cultural customs and etiquette in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
South Africa has a diverse cultural landscape, and it is important to respect and embrace the local customs and traditions. Greeting with a handshake and using appropriate titles when addressing people is customary. It is also polite to ask for permission before taking photographs of individuals or religious sites. Learning a few basic phrases in the local languages, such as greetings and thank you, can also be appreciated by the locals.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Are there any specific safety precautions I should take while on safari?🟢🟡⚫️🔴
While on safari, it is essential to follow the instructions of your guide and maintain a safe distance from wildlife. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that could startle animals. It is advisable to stay inside the designated safari vehicle unless instructed otherwise. Respect the wildlife and their natural habitat to ensure a safe and responsible safari experience.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 What is the transportation system like in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
South Africa has a well-developed transportation system, including airports, trains, buses, and taxis. Major cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban have efficient public transportation networks. It is recommended to use reputable taxi services or ride-hailing apps for safe and reliable transportation.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Can I use my mobile phone in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
Most American mobile phones will work in South Africa, but it is important to check with your service provider regarding international roaming plans and charges. Alternatively, you can purchase a local SIM card to use during your stay. Wi-Fi is also widely available in hotels, cafes, and public areas.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Are there any specific customs or rules I should be aware of in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
South Africa is a diverse country with various cultural customs. It is important to respect local traditions and be mindful of cultural sensitivities. Avoid discussing sensitive topics like politics or racial issues unless engaged in a respectful conversation. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites, and always ask for permission before taking photos of people.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 What are the tipping customs in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
Tipping is customary in South Africa. In restaurants, it is common to leave a tip of around 10-15% of the total bill. Hotel staff, tour guides, and drivers can also be tipped based on the quality of service provided. It is always appreciated to tip in cash.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Are there any specific health risks in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
It is advisable to check with your healthcare provider or travel clinic for any recommended vaccinations or medications before traveling to South Africa. It is also important to take precautions against mosquito bites, especially in areas with a risk of malaria. Use insect repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, and sleep under mosquito nets if necessary.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Can I use my credit cards in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
Credit cards are widely accepted in major establishments, hotels, restaurants, and shops in South Africa. However, it is always good to carry some cash for smaller vendors or in more remote areas where card acceptance may be limited.

🟢🟡⚫️🔴 What is the voltage and plug type in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
South Africa operates on a 230V electrical system with Type C, D, M, and N plugs. It is advisable to bring a universal travel adapter to ensure compatibility with different outlets.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 Are there any specific customs regulations or restrictions I should be aware of? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
It is essential to familiarize yourself with the customs regulations of South Africa before your trip. Ensure that you comply with restrictions on prohibited items, such as certain foods, plants, and animal products. Declare any goods that may be subject to customs duties upon arrival.


🟢🟡⚫️🔴 What are some must-try dishes or culinary experiences in South Africa? 🟢🟡⚫️🔴
South Africa offers a diverse and delicious culinary scene. Don’t miss the opportunity to try local specialties such as bobotie (a traditional Cape Malay dish), biltong (dried cured meat), boerewors (sausage), bunny chow (a popular street food), and malva pudding (a sweet dessert). Also, be sure to sample South African wines, known for their exceptional quality.



Remember to research and plan your trip, stay informed about local customs and safety guidelines, and embrace the unique experiences that South Africa has to offer.
Enjoy your journey!


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🆘 EMERGENCY NUMBERS 🆘

POLICE
(10111)

AMBULANCE
(10177)

CELL PHONE EMERGENCY (MTN VODACOM, CELL C AND TELKOM
(112)

POISON INFORMATION
(0861 555 777)

CHILD LINE
(116)

CRIME STOP
(0860 010 111)

ANIMAL WELFARE
(021 534 6426)

📍When you call for an emergency, make sure you have the following:📍

Location, Details from Incident, contact person name/phone number, description of suspect(s) or vehicle (reg. number, model colour) & Patient involved (conscious/breathing/description/injuries)