South Africa FAQs

Visas
Visas are not required for South Africa if you hold a US, Canadian or UK passport. For travellers who do need to obtain a visa before travel, please ensure you have time for the relevant paperwork before your departure.

Please note that requirements can change, and we recommend contacting your nearest South African embassy for the most up-to-date information.

Passports
It’s important that your passport is valid for at least six months after your intended departure and you should have two consecutive blank pages facing each other for the relevant immigration stamps. If you visit other countries you will need two blank pages per country.

We will confirm certain elements of your trip such as domestic flights, permits or train tickets using your current passport details. If a member of your party changes their name in their passport after booking, for example, through marriage or adoption, this could mean having to reissue important parts of the trip at an extra cost and subject to availability.

For the most up-to-date information on travel document requirements, please visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website, here.

Medical
You will not need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you enter South Africa from the USA or Europe. However, if you are travelling between two East African countries on your trip or you are visiting Zanzibar, you will require proof of yellow fever vaccination.

There are rules regarding travelling with minors in South Africa. If the child is not travelling with both legal guardians, then extra paperwork will need to be obtained before travel. Ensure you allow enough time to arrange the relevant paperwork before departure. Please check with your travel designer or concierge about this well in advance.

Yes, once your trip is confirmed it is essential that you take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover you in case anything unexpected happens.
We always recommend you choose the maximum level of coverage that you feel comfortable investing in. Read more about travel insurance for US travellers here and for travellers from other countries here.

Yes, you should visit a travel doctor before your trip as they may recommend certain vaccinations or medications before or during travel. Some vaccines commonly recommended for travellers to Southern Africa include: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Rabies and Meningitis.

There is a risk of malaria in parts of South Africa. Please speak with your travel doctor about the best anti-malarial medication for you and use insect repellent. Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long trousers with closed shoes in the evenings and early mornings. Seek medical advice before applying strong insect repellent to young children.

Most flights in South Africa flying into safari camps are on light aircraft and require soft-sided duffel-style bags not weighing more than 20kg (44lbs) per person. Flights between towns and cities are typically taken on medium-size aircraft and have a luggage limit of 23kg per person in the economy cabin.

Please speak with your travel designer or concierge if you have any questions regarding your luggage allowance and excess luggage. Inform us in advance if anyone travelling has an individual weight of more than 100kgs (220lbs), as an additional weight allowance on the aircraft must be purchased for safety and comfort.

We suggest that you check in online at least 24 hours well before departure. We will provide you with the tickets and details of the flights we have arranged for you approximately two weeks before travel.

Travel pack
Before you head off on your adventure, and if a hard copy has been requested, you will be sent a travel guide. The travel guide is full of great information about the regions you are travelling to and is a beautiful keepsake. It does not contain any trip-specific information such as your detailed itinerary, tickets or vouchers. It is not necessary to travel with vouchers or confirmations on your trip, but we recommend having a printed copy of your travel itinerary to hand when you arrive in South Africa.

Bon Voyage email
Approximately two weeks before you depart we will email you an electronic version of your travel guide including your domestic flight tickets and detailed itinerary. Once you’ve received this email your travel designer will reach out to arrange a time for you to talk on the phone to go over any last-minute questions and talk you through the information we’ve sent over.

Local currency and US dollars (no old, damaged bills)
The local currency in South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR), but US Dollars are widely accepted. We recommend bringing a small amount of cash, preferably in US Dollars, for minor purchases or tips.

You are allowed to bring foreign currency into South Africa, but amounts over R25,000 or the equivalent must be declared upon entry.

Credit and debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) are widely accepted in cities, hotels, restaurants and retail outlets.

ATMs are available throughout the country, including at airports, shopping centres and fuel stations.

Although tipping is discretionary many workers in the tourism industry do rely on tips to make up part of their income. Below is a rough tipping guide, you may wish to tip more or less depending on service. All the amounts are per day, per person recommendations based on two people travelling together. We recommend you tip in ZAR which is the local currency but USD is also sometimes accepted.

In Cities:

• 10-15% on your bill in restaurants
• ZAR 400 per person per day for your city guide
• ZAR 200 per person per day for drivers on short transfers
• ZAR 400 per person per day for hotel housekeeping
• ZAR 100 for hotel or airport porters

On Safari:

• ZAR 200 per person, per day for your tracker
• ZAR 400 per person, per day for your guide

Etiquette

Before taking photographs of local people you must ask permission first. It’s best to ask your guide, they will then tell you if it’s appropriate to ask or not. For some local cultures, it’s considered ‘bad luck’ for a stranger to take your photo. That said, locals in South Africa are very friendly so if you strike up a polite conversation, using your guide to translate if necessary, you won’t be strangers for long.

South Africa has a varied climate depending on the region. Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers (November to March) and cool, wet winters (June to August). Summer temperatures range from 25–35°C (77–95°F), with plenty of sunshine and strong winds. In winter, expect cooler days around 12–20°C (54–68°F), rain showers and cloudy skies.
Safari regions in South Africa experience dry, sunny winters from May to October, with mild daytime temperatures ranging from 15–27°C (59–81°F) and colder mornings and evenings. In summer (November to April), the weather is hot and humid, with temperatures often reaching up to 35°C (95°F) and frequent afternoon thunderstorms.

Packing list

Clothing

• Sun hat or cap
• Headscarf or bandana, particularly for dusty regions
• T-shirts with sleeves to protect shoulders from the sun
• Long-sleeved cotton shirts
• Shorts and lightweight trousers or slacks
• Comfortable clothing such as loungewear or a tracksuit
• Pyjamas – lightweight for summer and warm or thermal for winter nights
• Underwear and socks (include thermal options in winter)
• Closed walking shoes (running or tennis shoes are suitable)
• Sandals or lightweight shoes for casual wear
• Swimming costume
• Lightweight jersey or fleece for summer evenings
• Warm fleece, anorak or parka for winter
• Scarf, gloves and beanie or wool hat for colder months
• More formal attire for city hotels, luxury trains or high-end lodges

Accessories and gear

• Good-quality, UV-protected sunglasses (preferably polarised)
• Glasses if you wear contact lenses, in case of dust irritation
• Camera equipment with spare batteries, chargers, memory cards and USB sticks
• Waterproof or dustproof bag or cover for your camera
• Binoculars for wildlife and bird viewing (recommended specifications: 8×40 or 10×42)
• Lightweight backpack for carrying essentials

Toiletries and protection

• Personal toiletries
• Moisturising cream and high-SPF (30 or above) sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Hand sanitiser
• Insect repellent for body application
• Basic medical kit – consult your travel clinic for advice (items may include aspirin, plasters, antiseptic and antihistamine cream)

Laundry
Laundry services depend on your lodge’s facilities. In South Africa, most safari lodges will provide laundry service, sometimes at an extra cost, so do check the price list.

We highly recommend that you make restaurant reservations in advance of your trip. Once your trip is confirmed you will be introduced to your concierge who will be able to assist you not only in making reservations but also in offering recommendations based on your preferences.

Getting around South Africa is straightforward for most travellers, with a range of transport options depending on where you are going. In major cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, Uber is a popular and dependable choice. The best choice, especially when heading to restaurants or travelling in the evenings, is Uber Black, which offers added comfort.

Plugs and power in South Africa
South Africa uses Type M plugs, which have three large round pins arranged in a triangular shape. The electrical current is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. A universal adapter is recommended.

Wi-Fi and internet connection in South Africa
Wi-Fi is widely available across hotels and resorts in South Africa, often included in your stay. Connection speeds are generally reliable in urban areas and well-established tourist regions. However, some remote safari lodges may have limited coverage, but you can usually expect stable access in rooms and common spaces.