air travel in south africa

What’s It Like to Travel to South Africa Right Now?

A dispatch from an american who recently spent three weeks in the country..

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While the Sabi Sands is known for leopard sightings, you also have prime elephant viewing.

Photo by Kayla Douglas

Editor’s note: In her role as Marketing and Social Media manager at SmartFlyer, NYC-based Kayla Douglas looks after the agency’s website and social feeds. She’s passionate about empowering the ever-growing community of SmartFlyer agents to approach social media marketing with authenticity.

When South Africa opened its borders to Americans last fall, I decided to plan a bucket-list trip combining its safari regions with Cape Town and the nearby Winelands. As the news developed around the “South African variant,” I knew I was going to have a difficult decision to make. Could I still go? Should I still go? Thankfully, I didn’t have to rely on doom scrolling alone—one of my dear friends and colleagues is travel advisor Tiffany Figueredo , who splits her time between Cape Town and Fort Worth.

She gave me real-time guidance on the situation on the ground, and this intel ultimately empowered me to make an informed decision. I spent three weeks there [in February 2021], managing marketing and social media projects for SmartFlyer and enjoying some personal leisure travel.

Lesson 1: Buy all the insurance

After deciding that I was going to take the leap, I armored up with extra insurance coverage on top of my annual Arch RoamRight’s Multi-Trip insurance policy and annual MedjetHorizon membership. For this trip, I invested in COVAC Global, the only travel membership that will bring you home if you contract COVID-19 while traveling; their motto is “if you get sick, you get home,” plain and simple.

Naturally, these precautions were on top of my negative PCR test required no more than 72 hours before departure for South Africa. In terms of PPE, I had extra peace of mind thanks to Kaze Origins N95 masks and lots of TripWipes used in-flight. All of this was worth it—once I got there, I felt reassured that I’d made the right decision both for my mental health and in support of our recovering industry.

Lesson 2: Advisors are a big help when it comes to planning a safari

Let the safari begin: Boarding a Federal Airlines PC12 flight

Courtesy of Kayla Douglas

Flying to—and through—South Africa

I flew from Newark on United Polaris into Frankfurt, then connected on Lufthansa to Johannesburg. To acclimate [from the jet lag], I stayed one night at the Four Seasons Hotel the Westcliff , though I’m excited to see that the Saxon Hotel is reopening on May 1 to give travelers another luxury option in the city.

The bush planes out to Sabi Sands and Kruger National Park are most easily accessible via Johannesburg. These flight logistics are nearly impossible to Google, which is just another reason to book with a savvy travel advisor. Mine booked me on Federal Air, a carrier that services the safari regions on its beautifully outfitted PC12s. Pro tip: You can store larger, hard-sided luggage at the Federal Air Lounge in Johannesburg since you can only bring a small, soft-sided duffel on safari. My advice would be to pack accordingly and remember that [most] lodges do complimentary laundry service, so less is more.

Lesson no. 3: Know the differences between Sabi Sands and Kruger

On safari in the Sabi Sands

Lesson 4: Want to see leopards? Sabi Sands is the place

The ways in which these two regions are governed makes for highly distinct experiences. Sabi Sands is privately owned by six of the original families who took over this previously agricultural land. They work together to maintain the landscape to this day, which has long been a gathering place for leopards. While the lodges across Sabi Sands communicate with one another, you won’t see guests from another lodge out on a game drive because it’s all privatized.

Kruger is owned and controlled by the government—there are strict rules that prohibit vehicles from leaving the demarcated roads. Many locals flock to Kruger to do self-drive safaris. For those staying in luxury properties, a handful of lodges have exclusive use of particular plots of land that aren’t subject to the limitations of the national park. This affords them the option to do spot-lit night drives, guided nature walks, and off-road driving for close-up encounters. Ultimately, you can see the Big 5 in both Sabi Sands and Kruger, so it will most likely come down to which lodge(s) you’re most compelled to experience—another place where your travel advisor can help.

Starting Singita-style in Sabi Sands

We began our safari portion in the Sabi Sands—a vast game reserve about an hour’s bush plane ride from Johannesburg—at Singita Ebony Lodge . This was the very first Singita [it opened in 1993], and it sits on the Sand River, with just a dozen suites, each with its own private plunge pool. It feels like a fresh interpretation of a classic safari lodge. For those seeking more contemporary design, sister property Singita Boulders Lodge is just next door. The underground wine cellar at Boulders offers an extensive collection, including premium South African wines and rare auction wines. Finally, for those looking for a buyout, there’s Singita Castleton , also close by.

You don’t even always have to leave the lodge to see animals. On the very first afternoon we were at the lodge, a leopard decided to enjoy our personal suite deck just moments after we’d come inside. Our neighbor captured the entire situation on video, which we reviewed together in absolute awe during afternoon tea before the same leopard casually strolled through camp. It was an unbelievable start to our stay.

A morning coffee at Londolozi with Tiffany Figueiredo

While safarigoers typically wouldn’t do a split stay in this way, we opted to check out nearby Londolozi to maximize our knowledge as travel professionals. Their collection of five lodges is relaxed and familial—it grew out of a family camp established in the 1920s. The Varty family has always had a total commitment to conservation—they first acquired the land where Londolozi now stands in 1926 when there was absolutely nothing but bushveld stretching to the horizon.

Nearly 100 years later, they still live there and have contributed so much to the richness of the Sabi Sands. In Zulu, Londolozi means “Protector of All Things,” and this was the basis under which the camp was developed and how it is maintained. They pioneered the concept of a photo safari during a time when wildlife tourism presented the opportunity to salvage land divided by both literal fences and racial tension, especially during apartheid. Nelson Mandela once visited the property and said, “Londolozi represents a model of the dream I cherish for the future of nature preservation in our country.” Like all stays, it was the people who left the most sincere impact on me.

One night, as we were watching a pride of lions, I asked our game ranger, Krist, how she landed in her career. She said she had previously been a primary school teacher, and one of her students asked her what she had wanted to be at her age. She replied that she’d always wanted to be a game ranger. A week later, she resigned from the school and enrolled in Londolozi’s intensive ranger school —an intensive training program that culminates in the rangers-in-training being out in the bush by themselves for days! It was awe-inspiring to see a woman succeed in such a male-dominated field.

Many of the lodge guests right now are locals. With international tourism numbers still recovering due to COVID, South African properties have seized the unique opportunity to cater to domestic travelers with more rates more favorable to local currency.

Next up: Kruger National Park

We stayed at Singita Lebombo Lodge , easily one of the highlights of my time in South Africa. I flew with Federal Air from Sabi Sands to Kruger. It’s a relatively short trip, but feels like a completely new landscape now that you’re even farther east. You can see the ridge to Mozambique with the sounds of the N’wanesti River and all the birds as your backdrop. The sleek, contemporary suites have been built into the cliff to resemble eagle’s nests and completely blend in as if you’re floating between the earth and sky. If you can manage to leave your room (did I mention the outdoor bed?), there is an on-property cooking school that nurtures local talent.

Singita Sweni Lodge is right next door and has more rich pops of color than neutrals. Like in Sabi, these sister properties share a spa and shop. I chose a 90-minute crystal healing massage and I felt in a trance by the time I left. I’m not big on souvenir buying, but Singita’s chic boutique has homewares and furnishings that help you recreate the safari dream at home. For those eager to peruse, they actually just launched an online version !

Lesson no. 5: Bake in some down time between safari and Cape Town sightseeing

Hiking on Cape Town’s Lion’s Head Mountain

After safari, I routed back to Cape Town . When working on your South Africa itinerary, I’d keep in mind that safari is more tiring than you may imagine. It’s a lot of early mornings on top of your jet lag. If you’re going straight to Cape Town, be sure to create some breathing room in your itinerary. I was working during the days while in the city and would highly recommend this for anyone whose job allows them similar flexibility.

I was fortunate enough to base myself at Ellerman House for part of the time, and during the stay, met a fellow guest who is a University of London professor and has been teaching all of his classes via Zoom right from the property’s library for months. I mean, why not? You’ve got the sun, beach, art, a gym, exquisite food, and of course, Wi-Fi. We are ushering in a new way of working and the chance to WFHotel is probably one of the biggest upsides.

Ellerman House is a privately owned, 11-room [plus two villas] hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, and with its incredible art collection, an assortment of mid-19th-century to modern-day South African art, it could easily be a museum. But it feels cozy and not at all stuffy. One of the best parts about a stay here—well, aside from the gin cart!—is that you can go on a private art tour with their in-house curator, and learn about the complex history of South Africa through the art.

If you stay at the Silo, it has the dual benefit of owner and avid art enthusiast Liz Biden’s curated collection and it sits above Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA). Both spaces have a focus on Africa’s emerging contemporary artists. I was really impressed by MOCAA’s integration of the pandemic into its collections. What a surreal moment to see art made in 2020 hanging on a wall addressing a pandemic that we are very much still living in. It was a reminder that we are literally making history every single day. For both your time taking in the art at the Silo and MOCAA, I’d recommend partnering with Royal Portfolio’s Resident Art Concierge for more in-depth storytelling and historical context.

A stop near Hermanus en route to the Winelands

Since we had a fair amount of room in our itinerary, we built in a stop before routing to the Winelands a bit further south at Grootbos Private Nature Reserve , an ecofocused property about two-and-a-half hours from Cape Town. Visiting in July would be ideal, when you can do a floral safari and see the country’s famous fynbos at their pink peak. Here, you can also ride horses, go shark diving, whale watch, and so much more. I loved how the Grootbos team is incorporating sustainability and community enhancement through the Grootbos Foundation , a nonprofit that has an on-site ecotourism and hospitality training school—you can even visit during your stay.

In the Winelands, we stayed at two family-owned properties, La Residence , a Royal Portfolio property, and Babylonstoren , a working farm. It is a dream to be at the La Residence pool in one of their photogenic white and yellow cabanas overlooking the Franschhoek Valley after a winetasting.

For those who crave less of a chandelier vibe and lean more to clean lines, Babylonstoren is another top contender for the Winelands, a place I equate to a Disneyland for adults. There is every imaginable amenity under the sun: a wine cellar, fruit and vegetable garden, multiple restaurants, an essential oil shop, a bakery, a butcherie, the spa and pool, and more. I adored our stay in one of the stand-alone Fynbos Cottages outfitted with a kitchen, fireplace, and private patio. You’re given a golf cart and bikes at check-in so you really have free rein to explore the vast property as you see fit.

At the end of a leisurely walk through the grounds with the head gardener en route to breakfast, there was a moment when I heard one of the farmers whistling as he worked, assembling a fresh fruit basket for a guest’s room. It reminded me that despite the doom and gloom we hear every day, there is real goodness—whistling while you work goodness—if you’re willing and able to leave your bubble. The world awaits.

Lesson no. 6: Have cash on hand, even at the airport

My departure back to New York was a reminder of how flexible we need to remain with travel these days. While my SmartFlyer travel agent had already handled the cancellation of my flight from Cape Town and rerouted me through Johannesburg, the constantly evolving testing requirements caught up to me on this leg. It was seamless to get a PCR test in the Winelands to meet the U.S. requirement for a negative result no more than 72 hours before departure but, despite having this completely valid PCR taken just 24 hours prior, I hit a block.

There was a third party scanning passports and test results before you even got the Lufthansa check-in who insisted mine didn’t meet the requirements of my transit destination, Frankfurt. They refused to take the results for basically anyone on our flight, and negotiating with them wasn’t working.

Conveniently, there was a tent set up in the airport providing rapid tests with an immediate result. My advice here is to just have local cash on you just in case something like this happens to you, too. It was only 500 rand [around $33 now], but they did not accept international credit cards. That said, build in more time than you think you’ll need at the airport. Expect that travel right now simply has more red tape and you’ll have to show your COVID test multiple times. And above all, remember that leaving your bubble is a privilege—travel responsibly.

When’s the best time to go to South Africa?

The summer time in Cape Town (December to March) doesn’t exactly match up with the dry season in the bush. So, there are pros and cons to any time of year. But for South Africa’s high season for safari running from June to August, this cooler, dryer time of year comes with less availability and higher rates. Conversely, low safari season, which runs from November to April, comes with more accessible rates, some rain showers, and more lush landscapes that make for gorgeous photos but can make spotting game a bit more challenging. Talk to your travel advisor about what would be the best fit for your schedule and personal preferences.

As told to Annie Fitzsimmons.

>>Next: 11 Overwater Bungalows Around the World to Book for 2021

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Stuff your carry-on, arrange your South Africa flights, and prepare for an adventure. We get that making plans is half the fun when the time comes for your next getaway. Selecting your region, considering all the perfect pursuits, and seeking out plane tickets are all a part of making memories that will last a lifetime. And no matter if you're looking for a thrilling getaway with the family or a soulful trip on your own, when you use Expedia to arrange your trip to South Africa, you'll find myriad ways to tweak your adventure with our sweet deals and super simple booking process.

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On your vacation in South Africa, immerse yourself in the indigenous scene by sampling regional dishes and partaking in the outdoor attractions. And if you'd like to explore even more of this region, pay a visit to Cape Town, Johannesburg, or Kwazulu-Natal . Regardless of where in this country you decide to go, spend some time at the famous landmarks on your journey, and enjoy panoramas of the most scenic areas. It's easy to see why so many adventure seekers, culture enthusiasts, and wanderlusters from all walks of life are attracted to this alluring locale.

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South Africa Flights Information

Frequently asked questions.

• United Airlines - 56 flights to or near South Africa each month, including 30 flights to O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) and 26 flights to Cape Town Intl. Airport (CPT) per month.
• Delta Air Lines - 43 flights to or near South Africa each month, including 30 flights to O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) and 13 flights to Cape Town Intl. Airport (CPT) per month.
• O.R. Tambo Intl. Airport (JNB) - 60 flights per month.
• Cape Town Intl. Airport (CPT) - 39 flights per month.

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This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight to cape town departing on 5/1. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to cape town.

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Flights to cape town - travel insights & trends, get data-powered insights and trends for flights to cape town to help you find the cheapest flights, the best time to fly and much more., what is the cheapest flight to cape town.

In the last 3 days, the cheapest flight deal to Cape Town was found on the route from New York , at $503 one-way and $896 return. The most popular connection is from Newark to Cape Town and KAYAK users have found round-trip deals for as low as $982 in the last 3 days.

How much is a flight to Cape Town?

On average, a flight to cape town costs $1,465. the cheapest price found on kayak in the last 2 weeks cost $994 and departed from washington, d.c. dulles intl airport. the most popular routes on kayak are washington, d.c. to cape town which costs $1,561 on average, and new york to cape town, which costs $1,654 on average., see prices from:, what is the cheapest day to fly to cape town, based on kayak data, the cheapest day to fly to cape town is tuesday where tickets can be as cheap as $1,439. on the other hand, the most expensive day to fly is saturday, where prices are $1,569 on average., what is the cheapest month to fly to cape town, the cheapest month for flights to cape town is february, where tickets cost $1,271 on average for one-way flights. on the other hand, the most expensive months are december and july, where the average cost of tickets from the united states is $1,784 and $1,721 respectively. for return trips, the best month to travel is march with an average price of $1,234., what is the cheapest time of day to fly to cape town, the cheapest time of day to fly to cape town is generally in the afternoon, when flights cost $995 on average. the most expensive time of day to fly to cape town is generally at night, which is peak travel time and where the average cost of a ticket is $1,511., what is a good deal for flights to cape town, if you’re looking for cheap airfare to cape town, 25% of our users found tickets to cape town for the following prices or less: from washington, d.c. dulles intl airport $1,117 one-way - $1,411 round-trip, from newark airport $1,177 one-way - $1,508 round-trip, from atlanta $1,612 one-way - $1,961 round-trip., how far in advance should i book a flight to cape town, to get a below average price, you should book around 1 week before departure. for the absolute cheapest price, our data suggests you should book 9 days before departure., which airline offers the most flights to cape town, of the 6 airlines that fly to cape town, flysafair offers the most flights, with around 276 per week, followed by airlink with 193 flights per week., how long is the flight to cape town, the duration of your flight to cape town depends on your departure and arrival airports. obviously any flights that include a layover will also be longer. the most popular routes to cape town on kayak are from boston , which takes 19h 05m, san francisco , which takes 22h 30m, new york , which takes 22h 55m, and miami , which takes 27h 07m., how many direct flights to cape town are there each day, there are around 2 direct flights from within united states to cape town every day. most flights depart in the evening, with 8:00 pm the most common departure time and 100% of flights departing in the evening., how many direct flights to cape town are there each week, each week there are around 9 direct flights from within united states to cape town. the most common day for departures is saturday, with 22% of flights taking off on this day., how many long-haul flights are there to cape town each week, each week there are around 89 long-haul flights (6-12 hour flight duration), 29 medium-haul (3-6 hour flight duration) and 806 short-haul (up to 3 hour flight duration) flights to cape town. the most long-haul flights depart from london., how many cities have direct flights to cape town, from the united states, there are direct flights to cape town from 3 cities. the city with the most direct flights is washington, d.c., with 3 direct flights each week., good to know, when to book flights to cape town, faqs - booking cape town flights, what are the stopover options for the us to cape town flights.

The stopover options for the flights to Cape Town from the US vary depending on your airline and departure city. Passengers flying with Delta or KLM from New York should expect stops in Amsterdam and Boston. Airlink and British Airways offer flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to CPT and have common stops in London and Johannesburg. If you’re flying with United Airlines from Los Angeles, expect layovers in New York, Chicago, Houston, and Denver. Flights from Atlanta to Cape Town have common stops in New York, Amsterdam, Johannesburg, Frankfurt, Philadelphia, and London.

Which airlines offer eco-friendly flights to Cape Town from the US?

On average, every passenger on a flight to Cape Town from the US emits about 7,467 kg of CO2. Delta and KLM offer some of the most sustainable flights from the US to Cape Town. They operate two-stop and single-stop flights from the US to Cape Town and emit about 50% and 48% less carbon respectively than their counterparts.

How can I get around Cape Town International Airport?

CPT has a main terminal building that is split into the Domestic Concourse and International Concourse. The concourses are connected by the Central Terminal. The airport has underground walkways that run to the parking lots. A free bus runs from the International and Domestic Terminals to the Baggage Area in the Central Terminal.

Does Cape Town International Airport offer accessible services?

Yes. Passengers who need wheelchair assistance services can visit the Information Desks on the Ground Floor or the Central Terminal Building's check-in areas. You can also use the courtesy phones at the airport to request a wheelchair. Passengers who need wheelchair assistance from the aircraft to the arrivals area should contact their airlines 48h before the travel date. CPT also offers Passenger Aid Units that make boarding and getting off the planes easier for travelers with wheelchairs.

Does Cape Town International Airport have play areas for children?

Passengers who booked flights to Cape Town and are traveling with small children will want to stop by the play area to let them run around. The Jimmy Jungles Play Zone is located on the top floor of the airport in the Departure Hall. It has a ball pit, trampoline, and a toy airplane. There is a fee to use the play area but if you have young children, it’s a wonderful place to visit.

Are there good restaurants in Cape Town International Airport?

Yes, restaurants are located on the third floor of the airport. You can dine at Spur where you can watch the planes land and take off. Or you can choose from a number of delis and cafes. Most restaurants in the airport close by 9PM so it is important to plan ahead if you have a late arrival or a layover.

Are there good shopping places in Cape Town International Airport?

If you want to shop once you arrive at the airport, you can choose from regular and duty free shops. You can also find local specialties and handmade souvenirs at stores like Africa Eco, Out of Africa, Made in SA, and Cape Farm & Wine.

Are there airport hotels in Cape Town International Airport?

If you’re looking for airport hotels, you are in luck. The Road Lodge Cape Town International Airport is located on the airport grounds. Or, if you prefer, the Hotel Verde is located only two minutes from the airport. There is a free airport shuttle that is available from 4AM to midnight every day. The airport shuttle leaves every 30 minutes.

How far is Cape Town from central Cape Town?

The distance between Cape Town and downtown Cape Town is 10 miles.

What is the name of Cape Town’s airport?

All flights to Cape Town land at Cape Town. The airport code is CPT,and it can also be referred to as Cape Town or Cape Town Intl.

On average, a flight to Cape Town costs $1,465. The cheapest price found on KAYAK in the last 2 weeks cost $994 and departed from Washington, D.C. Dulles Intl Airport.

How does KAYAK find such low prices on flights to Cape Town?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can find for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Cape Town.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy my flight ticket to Cape Town?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a flight to Cape Town is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

What is the Hacker Fare option on flights to Cape Town?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets in order to save you money over a traditional round-trip ticket. You could then fly to Cape Town with an airline and back with another airline.

What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care when looking for a flight to Cape Town?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you all the options when flying to Cape Town up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. You can then pick the flights that suit you best.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Cape Town

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Cape Town flight deals.
• Cape Town International Airport (CPT) hosts several ATMs and Currency exchange counters. ABSA runs an ATM in Shop 14 at the Central Terminal while Bidvest has an ATM in Shop 2 at the same terminal. Rennies Bank offers currency exchange services in the Arrivals Area of the Domestic Terminal.
• If you're planning to self-drive around Cape Town, rent a car at CPT. The airport hosts several car rental companies. You will find the following car rental companies at CPT: Avis, Europcar, Budget, Sixt, Hertz, and FirtsCar, among others. You can find the agencies at the Rental Plaza and the Central Terminal.
• You're welcome to send your last-minute letters to your family from CPT's Post Office. The airport's Post Office is after the Permit Office on the Ground Floor of Parkade 2. Postal services are available from 8 am to 4:30 pm from Thursdays to Tuesdays and from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Wednesdays.
• US citizens are allowed to stay in Cape Town for up to 90 days visa-free. However, you must have a valid US passport with at least two blank pages.
• Passengers arriving at CPT will be happy to know that the airport offers multiple charging stations throughout the airport. One such station is next to the food corner on Floor No. -1.
• If you have booked flights to Cape Town and you want to relax before your connecting flight, stop by the Yemaya Express Nail Bar in domestic departures to touch up your manicure. Or, you can visit Gloss in the central terminal for a trim.
• Passengers that are flying to Cape Town for business reasons will be happy to learn there are several services available. Conference rooms are available for passengers who need them. There is also free WiFi throughout the airport for up to 4 hours or 1 GB. Mobile phone rentals are available from Vodafone’s Vodashop Rent A Phone. There is also a post office on the ground floor past the permit office.
• Looking for an easy way to get from the airport to your hotel or local attractions? You will find that an Uber is generally more affordable than a taxi. Be sure that you ask about recommended taxi services at the airport if you choose to use one. If you’d prefer to take public transportation, you can take the MyCiti Bus from the airport to the Civic Center.
• If you have at least 6 hours between connecting flights, you might want to see a little bit of Cape Town while you wait. Drop your luggage at the A-Teck in Parkade 2 so you can explore hands-free. You can then take a short 25-minute ride via an Uber or a taxi to the city center where you can explore the local attractions.
• If you want to freshen up between flights, consider paying for access to one of the VIP lounges. These lounges offer members access to shower facilities. Or, you can buy a special package from Hotel Verde that provides access to showers, a gym, pools, walking trails and restaurants.

Prefer to fly non-stop to Cape Town Intl?

Find which airlines fly direct to Cape Town Intl, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Nonstop departures

United States to Cape Town Intl

Aegean Airlines, Air France, Air India, +37 more

Aegean Airlines, Air France, +38 more

Aegean Airlines, Air Botswana, Air France, +39 more

Aegean Airlines, Air Botswana, +40 more

Aegean Airlines, Air France, Air India, +36 more

Aegean Airlines, Air France, +37 more

Aegean Airlines, Air Botswana, Air France, +38 more

Aegean Airlines, Air Botswana, +39 more

Aegean Airlines, Air Botswana, Air France, +40 more

Aegean Airlines, Air Botswana, +41 more

Nonstop returns

Cape Town Intl to United States

Top 5 airlines flying to cape town.

Carly the flight attendant was extremely helpful and very accommodating to passengers on the flight from what I noticed. Couldn't be more satisfied with the service and assistance from Delta's flight attendant, Thanks again Carly!!

I didn’t not like that I could not select my seat and ended up with the worse seat.

I didn’t like that I could not select my seat and was assigned a seat when I checked in at LAX

Delta did an awful job w logistics at DTW. Missed connection. We were there an hour early. SUCKED

Inflight entertainment stopped working as we taxi to runway and never worked again until landing and taxi to gate. Grrrr

Had to run to make it only to have the flight delayed to wait for all the late connectors Second drink service skipped up

Boarding was a sh!t show. JFK BOARDING was awful. The agent called three sections at a time Clogging the area then yelling at people to not block the walk way. How are you going to call delta one , premium select and comfort plus at once and the yell at highest paying passengers. Need to do a lot better and the flight attendants in the galley need to understand that their voices travel. They were talking about others and everyone in the cabin heard them

Uncomfortable seats on 14 hour flight. Mediocre food. On time and great crew.

Please see my lengthy description on MSP to Atlanta survey. Tailbone is killing me from old hard seats. Seat would not recline and were not near exit row. Entertainment did not work properly and couldn’t use. No audio and touch screen failed. 3 plus hours of discomfort in narrower seats than previous flight not in comfort plus. Very dissatisfied and deserve comfort plus charges refunds, at the very least, for both my wife and I. The plane needs to be retired. Please feel free to contact me directly for further details.

MSP to Atlanta was much better than Atlanta to St. Kitts. Paid $180 each for myself and wife for Delta comfort from Atlanta to St. Kitts. Seats were more narrow and obviously old and worn out. Tailbone is killing me. Seat would not recline. Seats behind reclined and we were not an exit row or in front of an exit row. Entertainment did not work in that the movie jumped forward and back and there was no audio. The plug in the arm rest was loose. Flight attendant tried “resetting” the video for my seat but no good. She never checked back. Someone else near me had the same issue. Touch screen was unresponsive. No where near as comfortable as MSP to Atlanta flight. 3 plus hrs. flight time without the basic amenities and not even remotely close to comfortable but paid for Comfort plus. I will be very disappointed if I have the same on my return “Comfort Plus” flight St. Kitts to Atlanta. At the very least my wife and I should be refunded for round trip “Comfort Plus” charges. Please feel free to contact me directly for more details.

Qatar airways from Doha to guangzhau was excellent big bird Boeing 777 more room and smoothly flight, I Love it

It was good no problems made it on time for the next flight overseas!

The made us waiting and held our passports and boarding pass making us miss our flights

Not impressed. Only allowed one carry on on such a long flight.

The flight was good but my neighbor had the vent open full power for the whole flight and because the air was blowing from the side instead of from the top and I got very cold and ended up with a sore throat.

Bad experience with the delay n long wait time for connecting flight after missing the connection flight from Doha.

Wore experience due to delay and took me 3 days to reach my destination.

All over with Qatar airlines my experience was really bad due to delays and then putting me on different airlines and after 8 hours of wait I had to listen to their is no plane to fly for another 24 hours. Wore experience ever.

Excellent will be flying again in May with Qatar. to Botswana.

Ultimate customer care humble and excellent service oriented crew , perfect timing maintained by the crew . My profound appreciation.

Quality of service on board was very inconsistent. FA service primarily seemed robotic and they barely engaged with passengers

I’m unclear why I had to pay extra for assigned seats as Turkish airlines did not honor the seating. We were placed across the aisle from each other on TK 34, and were seated behind one another on TK 694. Because my name was misspelled on e-ticket (Klawiter, instead of Klawitter) I could not log onto website to get the connection gate number in Istanbul. The monitors in the airport were a jumbled mess 1/2 Arabic and 1/2 English.

On line check in needs a lot of improvement. I tried and gave up.

Food not good, flight attendants not the best, not accommodating very ruff

the female flight attendant was racist towards me. I could tell she treated the two other passengers next to me with more softness.

Oh my god! For an13 hour flight they serve you food just one time. Also don’t be thirsty they give you a little small cup of soda to drink. They seem like their goal is to feed you one so they don’t have to be bothered with you. It quite surprise for such a long flight there are several times to eat at least three and the food was well lackluster. The food and lack of offering drinks which were always hot no ice provided.

We were traveling first class. Checkin counter lady and her manager, both were in bad mood and did not treat us well about checking in the handbag. The gate agent took care of it right away. I travel Turkish twice a year in first class. No one has ever refused to check in the hand bag. Not sure, why this agent and her manager refused. Everything else was excellent.

The 787 economy was a disaster for long haul. The space was too little compared to 777 or 747. Also the extremely low tray table behind the seat made any dining effort a nightmare. However, the movies were up to date, and the food taste was good, despite of terrible serving process caused by small space.

A little bit more comfort. It’s tight space around the seats. But all else is great and a smooth flight!

0ur assigned seats were given to other individuals when we boarded the plane. We were given new boarding passes with new seats all the way at the back of the plane. The reason given to us was that there were issues with the seats. We found out that there were no issues, and someone else's were seated on those.

Awful. I got stuck next to a person carrying a dog and behind someone with a dog. People need to board these dogs downstairs. The cabin is crowded enough with your pets

The flight was canceled. Got rebooked to Chicago and when we arrived our luggage where to there. They were going to our original destination the day after. They would not deliver them to our house. We had to go pick them up.

Too many fees (but that seems to apply to all airlines nowadays)

Packed in like sardines, very uncomfortable. Sitting the aisle my shoulder was rammed into numerous times by rushing flight attendants. Also flight was very cold.

Your app is impossible to use. I couldn't load it. Then i couldn't open it. When i finally got both those things done -with much help -then i couldn't open the app to install a credit card. The upshot was 4 flights without access to food or drink. When i first tried to download united app some company called starlier opened instead and i would up signing up for some 49 dollar a month music service which i still have not been able to cancel.

Delayed a day due to snow storm. Was upgraded. That kind of made up for significant delays from FLL to COS with no compensation or acknowledgement.

It was delayed several hours which delayed our connection in Denver. Not happy.

Ok, but comfort was lacking as the seats were way to small

The Polaris experience is top notch. From departure lounge to arrival lounge. Everything was top notch. One of the best first class experience

The plane was delayed 2 hours. The wifi did not work. The seat in first class was not comfortable because the bottom felt like it lost all of its padding. And I did not like when the flight attendant made me wait at my seat to use the bathroom and didn't tell me why. If there were too many people using the 1st Class bathroom, she should have told me to go in the back, coach bathrooms. I guess I have to feel fortunate that they found 2 local pilots to still fly the plane tonight after the original pilots ended up at an airport 60 miles away due to high winds.

Fare was much lower with a layover in London as I was able avoid numerous landing fees that would have been added to the ticket price had I booked a direct flight to Amsterdam.

We have business class seats from Los Angeles to London. The crew is friendly and provided great service. The flight was very comfortable and very smooth. Will use this airlines again in the future.

The flight was delayed numerous times with inconsistent updates and very ambiguous information. When it was finally cancelled the logistics of handing out vouchers and rebooking was extremely chaotic. Meal vouchers were completely inadequate for the airport restaurants, and not even accepted at some. All-in-all, it was a very disappointing experience.

Terrible. The flight from Islamabad to London took 3 hours more then previously planned, I missed my connection to Chicago, and instead had to go New York, spend an extra day before arriving at my final destination. The return leg of the journey was similar. The connection time in Qatar was shrinked to less then an hour unannounced, I had to scramble to barely make it to my flight to Islamabad. Terrible experience, never using British airways again.

The crew on this flight were attentive, efficient and friendly. It really made for an enjoyable flight.

The crew on this flight were excellent. They were friendly and attentive. It really made the flight more enjoyable.

They canceled my flight , they put me on a different flight that was delayed and the connection was lost . They lost my luggage. And now I’m stuck with any of my belongings.

British Airways canceled our plane and gave us a new flight scheduled to leave in only three hours, so we had to drop everything and rush to the airport. The new itinerary only left us a one hour layover in Madrid, which was too short because the plane landed late and so we missed our connecting flight. We were then booked onto a flight scheduled to take off 8 hours later, and were not given any compensation or remedial measures.

Seat layout, flight/club attendant service, food variety and quality could have been better. Business class Standard is visibly low compared with 6 other airlines that we have traveled for the past two years.

Despite many attempts to work out a change, neither British Airways nor Kayak nor Chatdeal would allow us to cancel or change this flight so we lost all of the payments when we were not able to fly. Absolutely terrible customer service. We will never use either of the services again.

Book Cheap Cape Town Plane Tickets

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Cape Town (CPT) South Africa

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Cape Town - United States

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Cheap flights to South Africa from $433

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 5/3. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., flights to south africa in 2024, find the latest flights to south africa in 2024, with up-to-date prices and availability. in the last 7 days, cheapflights users made a total of 2,967,817 searches and data was last updated on april 5, 2024., find flights to south africa, browse one-way and round-trip flights deals to south africa on cheapflights. flight deals are based on user searches and were last updated on april 5, 2024, explore south africa, cheap flights to south africa in april & may 2024, search the best deals to popular south africa cities recently found by cheapflights users, the below flights offer some of the lowest fares to south africa in april and may 2024. prices refresh often so be sure to come back soon for more deals., cheap flights to johannesburg, cheap flights to cape town, cheap flights to durban, south africa 2024 flight deals, explore flight deals for south africa in 2024, offering the best prices and options to suit your preferences. in the last 7 days, cheapflights users made a total of 2,967,817 searches and data were last updated on april 5, 2024., these are some of the best deals we've found on flights to south africa in 2024 at this time. if these deals don't appeal to you, be sure to come back soon for more options., one-way flights to south africa, explore one-way flight options to south africa for greater flexibility in your travel plans. find up-to-date pricing and availability for one-way flights. in the last 7 days, cheapflights users made a total of 2,967,817 searches and data was last updated on april 5, 2024., choose from one of these one-way flights departing to south africa. if you're in need of a round-trip flight to south africa instead, make sure to update the search form at the top of page., direct flights to south africa, find flights to south africa within your budget, locate flights to south africa that fit your budget, with regularly updated fares and availability. in the last 7 days, cheapflights users made a total of 2,967,817 searches and data was last updated on april 5, 2024..

$691 - $1,029

New York John F Kennedy Intl Johannesburg OR Tambo

New York John F Kennedy Intl

1 stop 27h 05m

Johannesburg OR Tambo

1 stop 41h 20m

New York John F Kennedy Intl Cape Town Intl

2 stops 33h 45m

Cape Town Intl

2 stops 34h 40m

1 stop 39h 50m

1 stop 34h 25m

1 stop 25h 55m

2 stops 23h 05m

2 stops 28h 05m

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Johannesburg OR Tambo

Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson

1 stop 39h 30m

1 stop 32h 20m

1 stop 37h 10m

1 stop 41h 15m

Flights are sorted by cheapest first

Deals found on 4/3

Average price of flights to South Africa by month

Plan your trip to south africa by taking into account the cheapest months to travel. the average price of a one-way flight to south africa is currently $548 while a round-trip flight costs $881. price data was last updated on march 31, 2024..

Currently, January is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight to South Africa (average of $1,187). Flying to South Africa in July will prove the most costly (average of $1,810). There are multiple factors that influence the price of a flight so comparing airlines, departure airports and times can help keep costs down.

Temperature and rainfall in South Africa by month

Plan your trip to south africa by taking into account the average temperature and rainfall totals by month..

If weather is an important factor for your trip to South Africa, use this chart to help with planning. For those seeking warmer temperatures, January is the ideal time of year to visit, when temperatures reach an average of 68.0 F. Travelers looking to avoid the cold should look outside of June, when temperatures are typically at their lowest (around 50.0 F).

When is the best time to book a flight to South Africa?

Use this chart to determine the optimal time to book a round-trip flight to south africa. price data was last updated on january 28, 2024., the best time to book flights to south africa is 70 days before your desired departure date. the cost of your flight will likely increase significantly if you book two weeks in advance of your flight., reviews of airlines servicing south africa, get insights into the airlines that provide service to south africa. read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to south africa. reviews last updated april 5, 2024., read through reviews of airlines servicing south africa, such as saudia, egypt air and swiss. reviews also offer insight into each airline's entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process..

Entertainment

Food could have been better they served beef on the flight to India so they did not have enough option of the veg option for customers and half the flight did not get a meal

Best Time to Fly to South Africa

Peak season:

South Africa is a year-round destination so cheap flights to South Africa can always be found. The best times to visit depend on the activity you have in mind. Southern-hemisphere rules apply when it comes to seasons. South Africa’s summer lasts from November to February – warm with heavy rains in the afternoons.

Average winter temperatures range between 52 degrees (F) in Johannesburg and 63 degrees in Durban; while summer temperatures hover between 66 (in Johannesburg) and 75 (in Durban).

The best time to watch game is spring (August to October). Whale watchers should visit between mid-June and the end of October for Southern Right Whales and between August and December for Humpback Whales.

For diving and surfing – April to September; hiking – spring and autumn as summer temperatures can be very high.

Why you should take a flight to South Africa

South Africa has been the center of trials and tribulations over the centuries, but today travelers book flights to South Africa on far more personal journeys. 

Traditional black cultures still reign through much of South Africa, making this country the must-see spot for anyone booking flights to South Africa in search of their history and heritage. However, a trip to South Africa means dealing with more than just rejoicing a post-apartheid way of life. After centuries of struggle, South Africa finally shed its oppressive policies and continues to rebuild its reputation, post-apartheid and social exclusiveness. Still, most of its people still live in poverty and are plagued by disease. In vast contrast, the country is blessed with natural beauty, landscape, wildlife and endless opportunity. This is also the reason many travelers book South Africa flights. As the country continues to grow, airline tickets to South Africa and tourist travel help build the economy. 

Whether you travel to South Africa on a safari or a spiritual mission, your South Africa flight will be the first part of a true exploration.

South Africa is generally sunny and hot in the summer, which lasts from December to April. The winter is mild. The country is large and has many different climates. The Cape is cold and wet in the winter, with snow falling in the mountains. Northern areas get regular thunderstorms on summer evenings, while winters are warm by day and cold at night.

There are eight domestic airlines operating South Africa flights. British Airways flies from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, and between Cape Town and Durban. South African Airways, the national carrier, flies to several destinations including Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, George, Upington, Kimberley, East London, Mthatha, Margate, and Sun City. South African Express flies between Johannesburg, Cape Town, East London and George and several other cities.

Other airlines offering domestic South Africa flights include Airlink , Kululu.com , 1time , Mango and Nationwide. There are also smaller charter airlines

Intercape, Greyhound and Translux offer services around the country.

Rail: Spoornet connects the major cities; Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth, Cape Town or Durban for example. The Blue Train is a luxury service (scheduled and charter) that runs Pretoria – Cape Town – Pretoria. There are special packaged routes too. Rovos Rail is another luxury service and the Steam Train Company offers scenic tours old-style.

Roads are good and car rental companies with branches at the airports and around the country include Avis, Budget and Europcar. It’s also possible to rent a motorbike or campervan/motorhome. Drive on the left.

The following chart gives approximate journey times from

The following chart gives approximate journey times from Cape Town (in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in South Africa.

• South Africa has 20 national parks, of which Kruger is the largest and best-known. It was established in 1898 and is 217 miles long, 40 miles wide and about 7722 square miles. It is home to 147 mammals, 114 types of reptiles, and 507 species of birds. Among them are hippos, crocodiles, Impala antelopes (most numerous animal), zebras, buffaloes, giraffes and elephants. The big cats call Kruger home too – there are 1,500 lions, 900 leopards and 300 cheetahs. There are several rest camps throughout the park ranging from huts and family cottages to luxury guest houses.
• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is composed of the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (of South Africa) and Gemsbok National Park (of Botswana). It lies on almost 9 million acres. In such a large space, vegetation is sparse and most of the animals concentrate around the Auob and Nossob riverbeds. Ground squirrel and suricate (meerkat) are the most numerous animals; badger, pangolin (anteater) and fox are also in residence. There are raptors (eagles, vultures, falcons and kestrels) as well as predators (cheetah, leopard, hyena and lion).
• Whales, turtles and penguins: view breaching whales at Hermanus , south of Cape Town. The town has its own whale crier, which can be heard from some Hermanus hotels , who blows his horn in a “Morse” code, signaling the location of whales. There are African Jackass Penguins on Boulder’s Beach in Simonstown (Simon’s Town). To spot Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles nesting, head to St Lucia in KwaZulu Natal . The turtles nest between November and January and hatch between January and March.
• Johannesburg has the Apartheid Museum and MuseuMAfricA, a history and cultural museum. Far from Austria, the South African Lipizzaners, are in action each Sunday morning in Kyalami. During Easter, the horses will dance to the music of the 1970s. Ask your Johannesburg hotel for museum information when you arrive.
• Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town . The cable car whooshes up the mountain (3,560 feet) in less than 10 minutes and has a rotating floor offering 360-degree views of the city. If heights aren’t your thing, keep your feet on the ground and enjoy the sights from your Cape Town hotel .

How long is the flight to Kruger Mpumalanga?

Flights from the United States to Kruger Mpumalanga, South Africa range from about 17h-38h. The precise length of your flight will depend on your departure city, as well as the number and length of stopovers you experience during your journey. If you’re departing from a major airport on the east coast, such as New York’s JRK or Boston Logan Airport, you can expect your flight to be on the shorter end of the range. On the other end of the spectrum, those flying out of the west coast, like from Seattle or San Francisco, may experience a flight time on the longer end of the range, due to distance and the increased chance of an added stopover.

Where can you get direct flights to Kruger Mpumalanga from?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights to Kruger Mpumalanga from the United States. To try to decrease the length of your flight time, consider your nearest international airport and whether it services the airlines that typically fly into Kruger Mpumalanga, such as South African Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, and United Airlines. Booking a flight with these airlines may help decrease the number of stopovers for quicker overall flight time. You can expect to make stopovers in cities common to this route, such as New York, London, and Johannesburg.

How do you get from Kruger Mpumalanga Airport to the city center?

Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) mainly serves travelers to Nelspruit in Mpumalanga and Kruger National Park. To reach downtown Nelspruit from the airport, which is about 17 miles southwest of the airport, you can take a taxi, which will cost about $20-$25 and take about 25 minutes. If Kruger National Park is your destination, it isn’t advisable to take a taxi there, as the drive is about four hours away and a taxi would be exorbitant. You can, however, take a taxi from the airport to Whiteriver, just north of Nelspruit, and then take a bus to Phalaborwa, at which point you can take another taxi to Kruger National Park. This journey will cost between $52-$68 and take about four and a half hours. You can also rent a car, especially ideal if you’d like to explore Mpumalanga by car yourself.

What are some things to do in Kruger Mpumalanga?

Kruger Mpumalanga is an ideal gateway to Nelspruit city and the gorgeous Kruger National Park. Golf lovers will enjoy swinging the clubs at Ermelo Golf Club’s, thanks to its gorgeous greenery and location near the Vaal River. Visit Barberton Museum to gain further insight into the town’s history as the center for a gold rush in the late 19th century. Hike God’s Window along the Panorama Route to explore waterfalls, canyons, and rock formations.

Do I need a passport or visa to fly to Kruger Mpumalanga?

United States citizens traveling to Kruger Mpumalanga, South Africa need a valid passport, although a visa is not required for stays under 90 days.

Can I find cheaper flights to South Africa if I am willing to have layovers?

Yes, flights with layovers are often cheaper than direct flights. Keep an eye out for flight deals to South Africa on Cheapflights that require 1 or 2 stops for potential cost savings.

Where can I fly direct to South Africa from?

At the moment, Cheapflights users can find direct flights to South Africa from {2} origins, with {3} being the most popular.

What is the best airline to fly to South Africa?

Based on reviews from Cheapflights users, SAUDIA is rated the highest out of the airlines that fly to South Africa.

What is the cheapest airport to fly to in South Africa?

Bloemfontein Intl Airport is currently the cheapest airport to fly to in South Africa. One-way flights to Bloemfontein Intl Airport typically cost $26, while round-trip flights cost around $37.

How much is a round-trip flight to South Africa?

A round-trip flight to South Africa will typically cost around $37, however they can be found for as little as $254.

Where does the fastest flight to South Africa depart from?

For those looking to save time traveling to South Africa, New York offers the quickest one-way flight (14 hours 30 minutes).

Which airport is closest to Waikiki Beach?

If being close to South Africa is important to you, you’ll want to land at Incheon Intl Airport.

Does Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport have rental cars?

Yes. Those touching down at Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport can take advantage of the rental car services offered upon their arrival.

Are there hotels close to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport?

Yes. Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport has hotels nearby for those requiring accommodations. Protea Hotel by Marriott Transit O.R. Tambo Airport is the closest property to Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport (0.0 mi away from Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport).

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on cheapflights for your next trip., popular flight searches, check out other popular destinations found by fellow travelers in 2024, search flights to south africa by cabin class, find flights to south africa, based on your preferred cabin class, be it economy, premium economy, business, or first class., book a flight to one of these trending destinations, user searches for flights to these destinations increased 20% or more in the past 90 days compared to other destinations, book with flexibility, travel smart.

South Africa

• 1.1 Territories
• 3.1 National parks
• 3.2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• 4.1 Economy
• 4.2 Geography
• 4.3.1 Colonialism
• 4.3.2 Modern history
• 4.5 Retirement destination
• 4.6 Place names
• 4.7 Climate
• 4.9 Public holidays
• 4.10 Tourism information
• 6.1.1 With children
• 6.1.2 Document safeguard
• 6.2 By plane
• 6.4 By boat
• 7.1 By plane
• 7.4.1 Mid-range
• 7.4.2 Splurge
• 7.5 By taxi
• 7.6 By thumb
• 7.7 By bicycle
• 8.1 Wild animals in their natural habitat
• 8.2 Areas of natural beauty and botanical interest
• 8.3 Cultural heritage
• 8.4 Other attractions
• 10.2.1 Petrol and diesel
• 10.2.2 Toll roads
• 10.2.3 Food
• 10.3 Shopping
• 10.4 Tipping
• 11.1 Cuisine
• 11.2 Fast food
• 11.3 Special diets
• 11.4 Smoking
• 12.3 Liquors
• 12.4 Tea and coffee
• 13.1 Backpacker lodges
• 13.2 B&Bs
• 13.3 Self-catering
• 13.4 Guest house
• 13.5 Camping and caravaning
• 13.6 Timeshare
• 13.7 Long-term
• 15.1 Scarce skills and work permit quotas
• 16.1.1 From a fixed line
• 16.1.2 From a mobile phone
• 16.1.3 International calls at local rates
• 16.2 Wildlife
• 16.3 Loadshedding
• 17.1 Emergency and medical assistance
• 17.2 Hospitals
• 17.3 Pharmacies
• 17.5 Sunburn
• 17.6 HIV and AIDS
• 17.7 Malaria
• 17.8 Smoking
• 18.1 Race and apartheid
• 18.2 Religion
• 19.3 Internet
• 20.1 Beggars
• 20.2 Embassies and consulates
• 20.3 Funerals
• 20.4 International banks
• 20.5 Stay legal
• 20.6 Photography

South Africa is a superb destination rich in culture, fauna, flora and history. Africa 's southernmost country is a large country with widely varying landscapes, 12 official languages, and an equally diverse population and is often known as the "Rainbow Nation".

Regions [ edit ]

South Africa is divided into 9 provinces:

Territories [ edit ]

• Prince Edward Islands , more commonly known as Marion Island (the largest of the two) - two small islands in the sub-Antarctic Indian Ocean. Access is restricted to research and conservation management.

Cities [ edit ]

• -25.746389 28.188056 1 Pretoria – the administrative capital of the country. Home to numerous embassies as well as three universities.
• -33.925278 18.423889 2 Cape Town – the legislative capital and seat of Parliament. A world-class city named for its proximity to the Cape of Good Hope. Also within a stone's throw of South Africa's winelands . One of the most beautiful cities in the world, nestled between the sea and Table Mountain, it is a popular summer destination by domestic tourists and those from abroad. The heart of the Cape Coloured and Cape Malay communities.
• -29.1 26.216667 3 Bloemfontein – location of the Supreme Court of Appeal, the highest court in non-constitutional matters. The Constitutional Court in Johannesburg became the highest court in constitutional matters in 1994.
• -29.858333 31.025 4 Durban – largest city in KwaZulu-Natal , third largest in South Africa, the heart of South Africa's Indian community, and is a popular coastal holiday destination for South Africans.
• -26.204361 28.041639 5 Johannesburg – the economic heart of South Africa and the most common entry point into Southern Africa .
• -28.738333 24.763889 6 Kimberley — capital of the Northern Cape Province. Famous for its diamonds and the "Big Hole".
• -23.9 29.45 7 Polokwane – capital of Limpopo ( formally known as Pietersburg ) and a good jump off point for visits to the northern parts of the Kruger National Park and Zimbabwe .
• -33.958056 25.6 8 Gqeberha/ Port Elizabeth – coastal city in the Eastern Cape with Port of Ngqura (a deepwater harbour) and Addo Elephant National Park located close by.
• -28.457222 21.2425 9 Upington – located in the arid Northern Cape province, this city is a good base when exploring the Kalahari desert and the national parks located in the Northern Cape .

Other destinations [ edit ]

National parks [ edit ].

South Africa is a paradise for anyone interested in natural history. A wide range of species (some potentially dangerous and endangered) may be encountered in parks, farms, private reserves and even on the roads.

• -24.011389 31.485278 1 Kruger National Park is an exceptionally well managed and favorite tourist destination.
• -25.766667 20.383333 2 Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the heart of the Kalahari desert with wide open spaces and hordes of games including the majestic 'Gemsbok'. This is the first park in Africa to cross international borders.
• There are also a large number of smaller parks, like the -28.248614 31.989259 3 Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park , -33.4461 25.7458 4 Addo Elephant National Park , -24.3833 27.6167 5 Marakele National Park , -25.2611 27.1008 6 Pilanesberg National Park or the -28 32.5 7 iSimangaliso Wetland Park .

See African Flora and Fauna and South African National Parks for additional information. There are hiking trails available in almost all the parks and around geographical places of interest, Hiking in South Africa contains information on those.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites [ edit ]

• The -25.967231 27.66244 8 Cradle of Humankind near Johannesburg is a must see for anyone interested in where it all started. A large collection of caves rich in hominid and advanced ape fossils.
• -33.805 18.37 9 Robben Island just off the coast from Cape Town , where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years.
• The Cape Floral Region in the Western Cape
• -28 32.5 10 iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Mapungubwe Kingdom in the North-West
• Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape in the Northern Cape
• -29.4 29.52 11 Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park for its landscape, biodiversity and rock art.
• -27.016667 27.383333 12 Vredefort Dome, remnants of the largest and oldest meteorite impact crater.

Understand [ edit ]

If you want to travel in southern Africa then South Africa is a good place to start. While you can fly into any country in southern Africa, most flights will route through South Africa anyway. South Africa is also a good place to get used to travelling in the region.

Although some rural parts of South Africa remain among the poorest and the least developed parts of the world and poverty in certain areas of townships can be appalling and squatter camps can grow overnight, progress is being made. The process of recovering from apartheid, which lasted almost 46 years, is quite slow. In fact, South Africa's United Nations Human Development Index, which was slowly improving in the final years of apartheid, has declined dramatically since 1996, largely attributed to the AIDS pandemic, but also due to maladministration and squandering of state resources which led to an increase in the poverty rate and ever-widening income disparity between rich and poor. South Africa boasts a well-developed state and privately funded infrastructure and keeps up to date with all the modern amenities and technologies. National quality standards of construction, roads, technologies, goods manufacture, medicine and hospitals, communications and IT, aeronautics, banking, brokerage and investment, beverage and food chain quality are on a par with the best worldwide. The government is stable, although corruption has become prevalent in certain areas such as immigration officials at land border posts demanding a fee for stamping any passports or home affairs personnel dealing with visas and permits, traffic enforcement officers trying their luck and crime syndicates buying their way out of trouble. Bigger business may bribe high placed government. The government and the primary political parties generally have a high level of respect for democratic institutions and human rights while the press is free and uncensored and the judicial system and constitutional court are fully independent.

Despite structural governance problems the country faces, South Africa remains the strongest and most diversified economy in Africa, and is the only African country to be a member of the elite G-20 group of major economies.

Economy [ edit ]

South Africa is renowned for its wines and fruits. Its agriculture output keeps the nation roughly self-sufficient in food, with maize, sugarcane and sunflower oil being major crops. Sea fishing and processing are increasingly important. It is the world's largest producer of platinum and its family group metals and a major producer of gold, iron, coal, diamonds, nickel, chromium, aluminium, stainless steel and uranium, among others. It also manufactures many industrial products and is a pioneer in the production of synthetic fuels. It maintains sizable armed force and is an influential player in African politics.

All that said, the economy has more potential than has been realised, as reflected in a 35% unemployment rate, which many South Africans and foreign observers agree is due to mismanagement and corruption. However, the new administration, in power since early 2018, campaigned on cleaning up governance and management and has already taken concrete steps to do so. Another important challenge the state is trying to tackle is a "brain drain" which has worsened since 2000 and includes all types of skilled professionals from doctors and engineers to artisans and teachers.

Geography [ edit ]

South Africa is located at the southernmost tip of Africa, with a long coastline that stretches more than 2,500 km (1,553 mi) and along two oceans (the South Atlantic and the Indian). It is a relatively dry country within the interior and the Kalahari Desert proof of this, particularly in the Northern Cape and north west Atlantic region. The two major river systems are the Limpopo, running easterly along the northern border and the Orange river, running roughly from the central regions southwestwards to the Atlantic Ocean. The Drakensberg Mountain range runs from the lower Eastern Cape to the KwaZulu-Natal and Eswatini with elevations exceeding 3000 metres (Mafadi is 3450m). The Highfelt and Platterland regions of Free State, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Northwest, range between 1200 and 1800 metres altitude and is home to some of the best wildlife conservation reserves in the world. The coastal areas from the southern Cape and farmland region, up the Indian Ocean seaboard all the way to KwaZulu-Natal and the Eswatini and Mozambique borders, provide the country with the densest green regions.

History [ edit ]

The tip of Africa has been home to the Khoikhoi ( collective name for Hottentot (derogatory) ), Bushmen (San) and Bantu people for thousands of years. Khoisan or according to the contemporary Khoekhoegowab orthography Khoesān (pronounced: [kxʰoesaːn]), is an artificial catch-all name for the so-called "non-Bantu" indigenous peoples of Southern Africa , combining the Khoekhoen (formerly "Khoikhoi") and the Sān or Sākhoen (also, in Kitchen Dutch: Boesmans , or in English: Bushmen). Rock art believed to be of Khoisan tribes can still be found in many places throughout the South Africa. It is thought that Bantu tribes may have started to slowly expand into the northernmost areas of what is today South Africa more than 2,500 years ago the different cultural groups as we know them today had been established in the areas to the north, east, east central and south east of South Africa. The desert and semi-desert areas of the Western and Northern Cape provinces, as well as the western parts of the Eastern Cape province remained unsettled by the Bantu as the arid climate, limited seasonal rainfall, sparse vegetation, scarcity of natural resources and water could not sustain large migrations of people and herds of cattle.

Nguni Cattle were the primary livestock reared by the Bantu and fulfilled numerous cultural and economic functions within the tribal society while growing numbers of Bantu populations settled within green fertile areas. Cattle remains to this day a status symbol and served as a rudimentary currency and basic unit of exchange with a mutually agreeable value between bartering parties, thus fulfilling the function of money.

The regions of the Karoo, Cape Peninsula, the Kalahari, Namaqua, Graqua and Bushman land gradually become "Khoisan" territory in South Africa. In these mostly dry areas, the "Khoisan" being already semi-nomadic, are believed to have not permanently settled as conditions of searching desert game and dwindling water sources during winter months, consequently determined their own migration. Not until the Boer "Voortrekkers" keen to avoid conflict with the Bantu (see next paragraph) came into these areas and established boreholes and containment ponds, could any permanent settlements be established in these regions.

In the southeast, the Zulu Kingdom would grow into a powerful kingdom under King Shaka, who ruled from 1816-1828, and was also known for being a brilliant warrior and military commander.

Today, with more reliable sources of water and modern methods of water conservancy, the agricultural activity remains limited mainly to sheep and ostrich ranching as these animals are better suited to the sparse feed and limited water.

Colonialism [ edit ]

The Portuguese explorer Bartolomeo Dias is the first known European to have rounded the Cape of Good Hope in 1488. 10 years later, Vasco da Gama made his first voyage to India, but the Portuguese ignored the Cape of Good Hope as a stopover base; the first permanent European settlement was built at Cape Town by the Dutch East India Company in April 1652. In the late 1700s, the Boers ( the settling farmers ) slowly started expanding first westward along the coastline and later upwards into the interior. By 1795, Britain took control of the Cape, as a consequence of the Napoleonic wars on the Dutch, and in 1820, a large group of British settlers arrived in the region, disrupting the Dutch Boers way of life. In 1835, large numbers of Boers known as the "Voortrekkers" (pioneers) started out on the Groot Trek (the great migration) northwards into the interior after becoming dissatisfied with the British rule. In the interior, they established their own internationally recognized Oranje Free State and Transvaal republics. Meanwhile, the British would defeat the Zulu Kingdom in the Anglo-Zulu War 1879, thus establishing colonial rule over the Zulu people.

Modern history [ edit ]

After the discovery of large deposits of diamonds in Kimberley and gold in the Transvaal, two wars for control over the region were orchestrated by English investment interests to cause the fight between the Boer Republics and the British in 1880 and 1899, to alienate control of the mineral resources from the "Boers" hands. The second war occurred after British settlers flooded into the area surrounding Johannesburg known as the "Witwatersrand" (white water escarpment) in response to the discovery of gold in 1886. The Second Boer War (Afrikaans: Die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog or 'Second War of Independence') was particularly brutal, as the British administration imprisoned the Boer civilian population in concentration camps, resulting in one of the earliest recorded genocides. With the victory at any cost and scorched earth policy, most Boer farms, livestock, crops and homesteads were also largely destroyed. Ironically, this war was the first to be captured on motion pictures, with the resulting screenings causing public opinion in the UK to turn against the British Army's inhumane treatment of prisoners in the camps.

After peace was restored by the 1902 Treaty of Vereeniging, the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910, consolidating the various Boer republics and British colonies into a unified state as a member of the British Commonwealth, contributing significantly to World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, with raw materials, arms production and soldiers. In 1961, the Republic of South Africa under the apartheid regime, was formed and SA exited the Commonwealth. Non-Europeans were largely excluded from these political changes as they had received sovereign lands in which to live under self-rule, in accordance with their own tribal legal system and hierarchical form of government.

In 1948, the National Party came to power. The NP introduced numerous apartheid laws to give a national/tribal, independent and sovereign "homeland" to each of the various tribes within South Africa, who were frequently engaged in raids and border wars against each other. The laws also implemented a system of institutionalised, or systematic, racial segregation and discrimination, and ensured a continuation of white minority rule over the black majority, and over Indian, Coloured and other minority groups. This move was welcomed by the majority of the different tribal kings and chieftains, as most of the tribes sought self-governance. But soon, apartheid became practically synonymous with racism and oppression as millions of non white people were forced to leave their homes under housing policies that enforced racial segregation. The African National Congress (ANC) was banned and forced into exile for conducting and plotting terrorist activities. Other political parties that were considered 'dangerous' and 'subversive' were also banned by the South African government during this time, while free thinking individuals and unaffiliated anti apartheid activists of all races were also harassed, ostracised, imprisoned or murdered. Meantime, the refining of the apartheid system became insidious and very efficient, as victims won small legal battles in court, the regime used its parliament majority to pass new laws to close legal loopholes, creating a vicious circle of judicial moving goal posts to suit their objectives, therefore, tying up sympathetic high officials and judges hands to keep everything "legal". South Africa in its attempt to keep apartheid going, used the cold war and communist danger as an excuse to bypass UN sanctions and violently suppress civil disobedience within and on the former German colony of "South West Africa" (Namibia), invaded Angola, supported UDI Rhodesia and aided anti government armed insurrections in post colonial Mozambique and Angola.

The Republic, despite experiencing rapid infrastructure development and strong economic growth until the late 1980s, also experienced frequent domestic uprisings in response to the apartheid laws. During this time the international community also increased political pressure mechanisms and trade embargoes against South Africa, and banned its athletes from competing in the Olympic Games and most other international sporting competitions.

By the late 1980s, many white citizens began to recognize that change was inevitable, seeing as international sanctions and internal strife were beginning to take a severe toll on South Africa. Thus, moderates within the security services, armed forces and the National Party followed the white liberals' lead and began quietly reaching out to ANC leaders to negotiate how to dismantle apartheid, which started with the freeing of political prisoners in 1990.

Political violence worsened during the early 1990s as extremists of all kinds attempted to derail ANC-NP peace talks in favor of their own visions of the future of South Africa. In 1992, 73% of the eligible white population voted in a referendum to have the apartheid system abolished. This was quickly followed by a new constitution in 1993 and the nation's first truly all inclusive democratic election set for April 1994, in which all voting age South African citizens were allowed to vote regardless of their ethnic and cultural background. Former political prisoner Nelson Mandela became the country's first democratically elected president. The ANC won a 63% majority and proceeded to form a Government of National Unity with the NP.

Despite much hope for a "rainbow nation" as Nelson Mandela envisioned following the end of apartheid, South Africa's economy began to take a turn for the worse after Mandela stepped down in 1999 and Thabo Mbeki succeeded him. Mbeki would invite controversy by calling into question the causal relationship between HIV and AIDS, instead believing that AIDS was caused by poverty. Mbeki banned anti-retroviral drugs from South African hospitals, leading to countless premature deaths of HIV positive patients. Mbeki would be forced to resign in September 2008, and he would eventually be succeeded by Jacob Zuma in May 2009. As Zuma grew up in poverty and never received any formal education, the masses of poor black South Africans were initially hopeful that he could empathise with them and enact policies to alleviate poverty. However, Zuma's tenure would be plagued with massive corruption scandals, and he was forced to resign in February 2018. Zuma was succeeded by Cyril Ramaphosa, who has promised to fight corruption, revitalise the economy and close the massive wealth gap, though whether or not his policies will prove successful remains to be seen.

While affirmative action policies have resulted in the formation of an elite black upper class, much of the black population continues to live in poverty with no access to proper sanitation facilities or good schools. This has caused significant racial tensions, with some extremists in the black community proposing depriving the white community of their properties without compensation for re-distribution to black people as restitution for the atrocities committed under colonialism and apartheid. On the other hand, many right-wing whites blame the black majority for mismanaging the country after power was handed over to them. The Indian and Coloured communities, who were also discriminated against under apartheid but to a lesser extent than the black community, also harbour some degree of resentment for not being eligible for affirmative action policies, often using the moniker "not white enough then, not black enough now". Similarly, the Khoisan people, despite having settled in South Africa long before the arrival of the black Bantu peoples, have been largely left out of the post-Apartheid affirmative action policies, resulting in some degree of resentment against the Bantu-dominated government.

People [ edit ]

Modern South Africans are very diverse, with many different ethnicities making up the population numbers. Nevertheless, besides the Xhosa, Venda, Shangane, Sotho, amongst others, the Zulu people constitute the largest group with approximately 20% of the total. There are also two main ethnic groups among white South Africans; the Afrikaners, who are descended from Dutch settlers and form the majority of white community, and Anglo-South Africans, who are descended from British settlers. South Africa is also home to the largest Jewish community in Africa, mostly Ashkenazi Jews of Lithuanian ancestry. This melting pot of people also includes sizable numbers of other Africans, Asian and European descendents, with Mozambicans, Zimbabweans, Malawians, Middle Eastern, Indians, Malays, Chinese, Portuguese, Greek, English, Italian and many mixed peoples, to name a few contributing to a true rainbow nation. The existence and survival in Southern Africa of the ancient Khoikhoi and San peoples, their culture, language and traditions, provides a window into a way of life largely gone unchanged for more than 10,000 years. By and large, the vast majority of its people irrespective of background, colour or creed, are friendly, helpful and a bit curious about visitors while good manners and respect go a long way towards an enjoyable rapport.

Retirement destination [ edit ]

The South African immigration regulations provide a special temporary residence permit system that after some years can be elevated to a permanent residence status . This allows older or retired foreigners in an otherwise good health condition, with a certain level of legally obtained steady income or pension and in possession of a clean criminal record certificate, to settle down and buy property locally in their retirement. Such an opportunity may be attractive to Northern Europeans seeking sunny mild weather in a country that offers the best of both worlds by being very cosmopolitan and at the same time, keeping African traditions very much alive, and with a much lower cost of living, given the advantageous exchange rates while being in approximately the same time zone of country of origin. Such permit holders are treated like all South Africans nationals from a legal stand point, thus, subjected to all laws and regulations governing the nation.

Place names [ edit ]

Many region, city, street and building names in South Africa have been changed after the end of apartheid and some of them are still being changed today. These changes can sometimes lead to confusion as many of the new names are not yet well known. This travel guide will use the official new names, but also mention the previous names where possible.

Climate [ edit ]

The climate in South Africa ranges from desert and semi-desert in the north west of the country to sub-tropical on the eastern coastline. The rainy season for most of the country is in the summer, except in the Western Cape where the rains come in the winter. Rainfall in the Eastern Cape is distributed evenly throughout the year. Winter temperatures hover around zero, summers can be very hot, in excess of 35 °C (95 °F) in some places.

The South African Weather Service provides up to date weather information, forecasts and radar imaging.

Sport [ edit ]

Football, cricket, rugby union and track and field athletics are the most supported and participated national sports. South African swimming, cycling and tennis produce some world-class athletes from time to time. In 2010, South Africa hosted the first FIFA World Cup to be held on the African continent. South Africa was also host of the 1995 Rugby World Cup , the only edition of that tournament to be held in Africa.

Public holidays [ edit ]

The public holidays in South Africa are:

• New Year's Day (1 January)
• Human Rights Day (21 March)
• Easter weekend A 4-day long weekend in March or April consisting of "Good Friday", "Holy Saturday", "Easter Sunday" and "Easter Monday", the dates are set according to the Western Christian tradition.
• Freedom Day (27 April)
• Workers Day (1 May)
• Youth Day (16 June)
• Woman's Day (9 August)
• Heritage Day (24 September)
• Day of Reconciliation (16 December) - see Bloodriver .
• Christmas Day (25 December)
• Day of Goodwill (26 December)

If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the following Monday will also be a public holiday.

The school year is divided into four terms. School holidays occur early December to the middle of January, early in April, middle June to the middle of July and in late September. Most South Africans go on leave during these times and accommodation will be harder to find. The main holiday period is in mid-summer (December-January).

Tourism information [ edit ]

South African Tourism operates a number of offices in other countries. Check their website, or contact the office in your country for any additional information or assistance.

• Angola , Travessa Rodrigo de Miranda, R/C N33, Luanda , ☏ +244 222 320261 , fax : +244 222 320253 .  
• Australia , Level 3, 117 York St, Sydney , ☏ +61 2 9261-5000 , fax : +61 2 9261-2000 , [email protected] .  
• China , 6 Gong Ti North Road, Suite 2606, Beijing , ☏ +86 10 8523-6881 , fax : +86 10 8523-6897 , [email protected] .  
• France , 61 Rue La Boetie, Paris , ☏ +33 1 45610197 , fax : +33 1 45610196 , [email protected] .  
• Germany , Friedensstrasse 6-10, Frankfurt , ☏ +49 69 929-1290 , fax : +49 69 28-0950 , [email protected] .  
• India , Unit No.3, Ground Floor, TGC Financial Centre, Mumbai , ☏ +91 22 6158 5100 , fax : +91 22 6158 6101 , [email protected] .  
• Italy , Via XX Settembre 24, 3F, Milano , ☏ +39 2 4391-1765 , fax : +39 02 4391-1158 , [email protected] .  
• Japan , Akasaka Lions Bldg, 1-1-2 Moto Akasaka, Minato-Ku, Tokyo , ☏ +81 33 478-7601 , fax : +81 33 478-7605 , [email protected] .  
• Netherlands , Jozef Israëlskade 48 A, Amsterdam , ☏ +31 20 471-3181 , fax : +31 20 662-9761 , [email protected] .  
• United Kingdom , No 1 & 2 Castle Lane, 2nd floor, London , ☏ +44 20 8971-9350 , fax : +44 20 8944-6705 , [email protected] .  
• United States , 500 Fifth Ave, Ste 2200, New York , ☏ +1 212 730-2929 , fax : +1 212 764-1980 , [email protected] .  

Talk [ edit ]

South Africa has 11 official languages, namely Afrikaans , Southern Ndebele , Xhosa , Zulu , Swazi , Northern Sotho , Southern Sotho , Tswana , Tsonga , Venda and English.

Afrikaans is the mother tongue of the majority of the white and Coloured population, a first language of 14% of the population, spoken by 30%. Often Afrikaans is incorrectly called 'Afrikan' or 'African' by foreigners. This is very incorrect as 'African' for a South African corresponds with the native African languages: Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, etc. (and, of course, there are thousands of languages in Africa so no single language can be called 'African'). Afrikaans has roots in 17th-century Dutch dialects, so it can be understood by Dutch speakers and sometimes deciphered by German speakers.

Other languages with many speakers are Zulu (23%/46%; mainly in KwaZulu-Natal ; South Africa's largest single linguistic group) and Xhosa (16%/33%; mainly in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape ), Pedi (9%/23%), Tswana (8%/20%), Sotho (8%/20%) and Tsonga (5%/10%).

English is the lingua franca and spoken as a second language by most urban South Africans, but as a first language only by a minority of the white community (over all: 10%/33%). English proficiency can be limited in rural black communities. South African English primarily follows British spelling and vocabulary choices, but is also heavily influenced by Afrikaans and, to a lesser extent, other South African languages.

A few words you may encounter are:

• eish — as in, "eish, it's hot today", "eish, that's expensive" or "eish, that's too far to drive"
• lekker — nice, enjoyable
• howzit — how is it? (generally a rhetorical question)
• boet , bru , china or ou — brother or man (equivalent to dude or bro )
• koppie — a small hill (can also mean a cup)
• Madiba — Nelson Mandela
• Molo — Hello (in Xhosa)
• robot — traffic light
• tannie — (auntie) respectful term for an older woman
• oom — (uncle) respectful term for an older man
• tinkle — phone call
• just now — sometime soon (from Afrikaans "net-nou")
• now now — sooner than just now! (from Afrikaans "nou-nou", pronounced no-no)
• braai — barbecue.
• cheers — used for saying good-bye, as well as saying thank you and for the occasional toast.
• heita — hello
• sharp — (usually pronounced quickly) OK
• sure-sure more pronounced like sho-sho — Correct, Agreement, Thank you
• ayoba — something cool
• zebra crossing …. a crosswalk. named for the white & black stripes that are generally painted on crosswalks.
• bakkie — pick-up truck (from Afrikaans)
• Ekse — whats up

Get in [ edit ]

Entry requirements [ edit ].

Foreign nationals of the following countries/territories can enter South Africa visa-free :

• For up to 90 days : Andorra , Argentina , Australia , Austria , Belgium , Botswana , Brazil , Canada , Chile , Czech Republic , Denmark , Ecuador , Eswatini , Finland , France , Germany , Greece , Iceland , Ireland , Israel , Italy , Jamaica , Japan , Liechtenstein , Luxembourg , Malta , Monaco , Mozambique , Namibia , Netherlands , Norway , Panama , Paraguay , Portugal , Russia , Saint Vincent and the Grenadines , San Marino , Singapore , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , Tanzania (maximum 90 days in 1 year), Trinidad and Tobago , Tunisia , United Kingdom , United States , Uruguay , Venezuela , Zambia (maximum 90 days in 1 year) and Zimbabwe
• For up to 30 days : Angola , Antigua and Barbuda , Bahamas , Barbados , Belize , Benin , Bolivia , Cape Verde , Costa Rica , Cyprus , Gabon , Guyana , Hong Kong , Hungary , Jordan , Lesotho , Macau , Malawi , Malaysia , Maldives , Mauritius , Peru , Poland , Seychelles , South Korea , Thailand and Turkey

Other nations require a visa application to enter South Africa. The country has trialed an e-visa system for the following nationalities with 90-day entry and the obligation to enter through O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg: Albania , Algeria , Belarus , Bulgaria , Cameroon , Comoros , Republic of Congo , Democratic Republic of the Congo , Côte d'Ivoire , Croatia , Cuba , Egypt , Ethiopia , Ghana , India , Indonesia , Iran , Kenya , Liberia , Lithuania , Mali , Mexico , Morocco , Niger , Nigeria , Oman , Pakistan , China , Philippines , Republic of Guinea , Romania , Saudi Arabia , Senegal , Slovakia , Uganda . Countries not eligible for e-visa must apply for a visa on paper at a South African embassy or consulate.

If needed, you can extend your visa in South Africa. With an extension the total amount of time you are allowed to stay is 6 months. Additional information as well as Visa application forms can be found at the Department of Home Affairs [dead link] , ph +27 012 810 8911.

The Department of Home Affairs does not handle visa applications directly: VFS.Global, a separate office deals solely with immigration services, visa applications and processing. The VFS.Global portal provides information regarding offices in the country and online services available. The Johannesburg, Sandton office is in Rivonia Boulevard next to the ShopRite Checkers Supermarket. Make sure to apply for visas and visa extensions as early as possible. A way to 'extend' your visa while avoiding bureaucracy is by leaving and re-entering South Africa via Mozambique. A 30-day visa cannot be 'reset' when leaving and re-entering South Africa from the bordering countries of Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. You will not get a new visa. For example, when you have a 30-day visa, and exit South Africa and enter Lesotho or Eswatini after 5 days of validity, then re-enter South Africa after 5 days, you are only allowed to stay the remaining 20 days of the original visa for South Africa and will not be given a "new" 30-day visa. However, if you fly back to Europe or go to Mozambique, and then re-enter South Africa, you will be issued a new 30-day visa.

Make sure you have 2 blank pages back to back in your passport and that it is valid for at least 30 days after your intended date of departure, or you will be sent back! Make sure you have a return ticket available or they will send you back. If you need to pick up a ticket at the airport have the flight number and details handy and speak with the customs officer, they should check your story out and let you in (be firm). Be wary of arriving with a damaged passport as new security measures might trip up your entry.

With children [ edit ]

South Africa had the world's strictest laws about travelling into and out of the country with children to combat child trafficking. However, this has changed in 2019. From 2019 on, all foreign children are allowed to enter South Africa without carrying additional supporting documents such as birth certificates and consent letters.

Document safeguard [ edit ]

Within South Africa, if you plan to spend time travelling around, like touring with a vehicle, you can use copies of documents to safeguard originals. Such copies of important papers like passports, ID cards and drivers licences, must be authenticated (for free) at any Police Station. Just bring the original and the copies and ask the agents on duty to help you. In case of passports, the relevant pages showing the visa and entry stamps must also be copied and placed together with the personal details page. These authenticated copies are only recognised within the national borders.

By plane [ edit ]

South Africa is a major hub for air travel in the Southern African region. The country's flag carrier, South African Airways (SAA), has an extensive global and pan-African network of connections, some of which are operated by its short-haul subsidiary SA Airlink .

South Africa has 10 international airports. The primary intercontinental hub is the O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg ; the secondary one is Cape Town International . They serve as gateways for tourists and foreign visitors, and hubs for travel within South Africa and Southern Africa in general.

O.R. Tambo International Airport has direct flights from major European centres, the Middle East, Asia, a few U.S. cities, Brazil, and Australia.

Durban International Airport is the third biggest airport with regular flights from cities in Africa.

Baggage theft at airports is common especially at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg so avoid putting valuables in your main luggage if you can. Since these thieves have only a window of a few seconds to steal, you can make it harder for them by using plastic quick-tie straps in all zippers, even if there are metal locks already and having your luggage wrapt up in cling wrap. The cling wrap can be done at the airport for R80 per item or you can buy a large roll of the stuff in any supermarket and DIY for a fraction of the cost.

By car [ edit ]

Should you be entering from one of the other countries in Southern Africa you might want to do so by car. South Africa operates a number of land border posts between itself and immediately neighboring countries. The more commonly used ones are:

Botswana border

• Skilpadsnek ( On the N4, 54 km/34 mi from Zeerust ), ☏ +27 18 366-1469 . 6AM-10PM .  

Lesotho border

• Maseru Bridge ( 15 km/9 mi from Ladybrand on the N8 towards Maseru ), ☏ +27 51 924-4004 . Open 24 hours .  
• Ficksburg Bridge ( Just outside Ficksburg ), ☏ +27 51 933-2760 . Open 24 hours .  
• Sani Pass ( In the KwaZulu-Natal Drakensberg park ), ☏ +27 51 430-3664 . 8AM-4PM .  

Mozambique border

• Lebombo ( On the N4 btwn Mbombela and Maputo ), ☏ +27 13 790-7203 . 6AM to 10PM .  
• Kosi Bay ( R22 btwn Hluhluwe and Ponta do Ouro ), ☏ +27 35 592-0251 . 8AM-4PM .  

Namibia border

• Nakop ( 132 km/82 mi from Upington on the N10 towards Ariamsvlei ), ☏ +27 54 571-0008 . Open 24 hours .  
• Vioolsdrift ( On the N7 N of Springbok ), ☏ +27 27 761-8760 . Open 24 hours .  

Eswatini border

• Oshoek ( 120 km/75 mi from Ermelo on the N17 towards Mbabane ), ☏ +27 17 882-0138 . 7AM-10PM .  

Zimbabwe border

• Beit Bridge ( On N1 approximately 16 km (10 mi) N of Messina ), ☏ +27 15 530-0070 . Open 24 hours .  

Open times are often extended during South African holidays.. For a full list of entry ports or any additional information see the South African Border Information Service [dead link] or contact them on +27 086 026-7337.

By boat [ edit ]

Most of the larger cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises offer Cape Town as one of their destinations, but you can also try something different

Get around [ edit ]

South Africa has a well-established domestic air travel infrastructure with links between all major centres. There are multiple daily flights to all the major airports within the country. Contact any of the airlines for details. It is worth comparing low cost airlines like Mango with the SAA rates as they usually have online specials which can be cheaper than the "low cost" carriers.

Driving can be a practical way for getting around in South Africa, for instance national parks are some of the country's foremost attractions but they are rarely served by public transport. Visitors hiring or buying a car is fairly common.

Major roads are in general in good condition, though South Africa still has a high rate of road accidents. Traffic rules including speed limits are not always respected, and in the countryside animals (wild and domestic) next to or on the road are not an uncommon sight.

By bus [ edit ]

There are scheduled bus services between Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban and other cities (with stops in between), as well as connections to neighboring countries. The main bus companies are:

• Greyhound , ☏ +27 83 915-9000 .  
• Intercape Mainliner , ☏ +27 21 380-4400 .  
• Translux , ☏ +27 86 158-9282 .  
• SA Roadlink , ☏ +27 11 333-2223 .  

Booking for the above can also be done via Computicket [dead link] .

Smaller services include City Bug and Lowveld Link [dead link] .

An alternative is the Baz Bus . It offers a regular hop-on-hop-off service on some of the most interesting routes for the tourist (Cape Town to Durban via the Garden Route;Durban to Johannesburg via the Drakensberg). Baz Bus picks you up and drops you off at many hostels along the route, so you don't have to hang around at a downtown bus stop at night.

If you're really in a pinch, you can use minibus taxis . They are poorly maintained and rarely comply with safety standards. They also require patience as they make many detours and changeovers at the taxi rank (hub) where the driver will wait for passengers to fill up the bus. But they cover many routes not covered by the main bus service and are quite cheap (25 cents per kilometre per person on the main routes).

Warning: Many buses are removed from service by the police, due to lack of legal road-worthiness. Seek up-to-date advice on which companies are more reputable. Occasionally, the driving can be rather wild, and if you're prone to motion sickness, be prepared.

By train [ edit ]

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) is the national rail operator. There are budget passenger services between major South African cities (known as Shosholoza Meyl [dead link] ) and luxury services (known as Premier Classe ) between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.

Central Reservations (for both Shosholoza Meyl and Premier Classe) can be contacted as follows:

• From within South Africa, phone 086 000 8888 (share-call)
• From outside South Africa, phone +27 11 774 4555
• By using the 0027 prefix instead of +27 calls may cost less, the same applies calling SA from outside.
• Email [email protected] or [email protected]

To book tickets, phone Central Reservations on one of the numbers given above and make your booking. You can pick up and pay for the tickets later at any train station.

There are also commuter trains in larger cities (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth and East London ); these are run by MetroRail [dead link] . Most services are perfectly safe, but certain routes are overcrowded and not always safe.

As of July 2023, only minimal train services have resumed in South Africa after being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. It has been reported that the only scheduled long-distance trains run weekly between Johannesburg and East London and Johannesburg and Port ELizabeth, and are subject to cancellation.

Mid-range [ edit ]

• Shongololo Express , ☏ +27 11 781-4616 , [email protected] . Rail safaris across South Africa  

Splurge [ edit ]

• Blue Train , ☏ +27 12 334-8459 , [email protected] . This world famous luxury train operates between Pretoria and Cape Town, with a stopover in Kimberley . They advertise as a "five-star hotel on wheels" and charge accordingly: prices start from R15,500 one-way per person in low-season "Deluxe" twin-sharing. You can pay as much as R34,925 (high-season "Luxury" single) (2017 prices) The trip takes 27 hours, and your fares includes a private suite with attached bathroom, and all meals and drinks (except champagne and caviar). ( updated Jan 2017 )
• Rovos Rail , ☏ +27 12 315-8242 . Offers luxury rail travel throughout Southern Africa. Destinations include Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban, George , Swakopmund in Namibia, Vic Falls in Zimbabwe and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania .  

By taxi [ edit ]

Ride-hailing is available in South Africa and the following are the most anticipated providers:

• Bolt . Includes many towns. ( updated Jul 2020 )
• Uber . Works in Johannesburg and Pretoria. ( updated Jul 2020 )

By thumb [ edit ]

Hitchhiking in South Africa is not so hard, but most people will think you are catching a ride with the local taxis and thus expect you to pay. You may want to tell them you are looking for a free ride before climbing aboard. The main issue is crime : some drivers may hijack you and your belongings. Hitchhiking is generally frowned upon and considered unsafe. Drivers are also wary of potentially criminal hitchhikers. Never hitchhike at night. It is unwise to be outside at night, if you are in an area considered unsafe. Remember, most middle-class homes are protected with walls and armed guards; they have this for a reason.

By bicycle [ edit ]

Cycling is probably the best way to experience the country, as you really get to admire the views and get the opportunity to mingle with the locals. It could be considered unsafe to cycle through the cities because of crime and reckless drivers. However, Cape Town is somewhat bicycle friendly with several bike lanes. There are many farm/dirt roads throughout South Africa. Locals and Farmers are generally willing to provide you with food and a place to sleep, as long as you are willing to talk.

See [ edit ]

Hundreds of thousands of visitors come to South Africa every year to see the country's many natural and cultural attractions. From wild elephants to stunning landscapes, cave paintings, colonial heritage and bustling townships, South Africa is an enchanting land of contradictions and great beauty. Some of the best ways visitors can explore South Africa's natural scenic and cultural experiences, apart from private run enterprises, are provided by state-developed entities such as the various Provincial Park Boards and National Nature Reserves. Also available but less known by outsiders are government resorts mainly operated under the Forever Resorts brand for example. There are more than 20 of these resorts nationwide. They provide a mix of activities to be enjoyed by small or large groups of people. Activities such as thermal water spas, leisure, kids activities, hiking, camping, mountain biking and guided game viewing are all catered for. Accommodation available in these resorts is reasonably priced outside school holidays or long weekends and consists of a choice between, 3- or 4-star hotel, bungalows, cottages, thatched rondavels, caravan park and camping grounds, accommodation is priced per unit, therefore, making a six-sleeper bungalow or four sleeper cottage, a very affordable proposition. The resorts provide all amenities within and you are free to go to the restaurants or cater for yourself. Bring in your own supplies, as wine, beer, whisky and soft beverages and food items like meat, butter, cheese, coffee, can be substantially more expensive bought inside than from outside supermarkets.

Wild animals in their natural habitat [ edit ]

South Africa is the most popular safari destination in the world and for many visitors a glance at the "Big Five" and other wildlife is a must. The iconic Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga is surely the most famous place to have that glance, but Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape is another popular pick. The vast dry plains of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park with its migratory herds of wildebeast covers parts of both South Africa and Botswana. Along the border with Mozambique another transfrontier park, the iSimangaliso Wetland Park , offers very different landscapes and fauna. For scuba divers, South Africa's underwater wildlife has a lot to offer, with the annual sardine run being a highlight. The popular seaside town of Hermanus is probably the best place in the world to go whale watching , with cage diving opportunities with great white sharks for the truly adventurous.

Areas of natural beauty and botanical interest [ edit ]

South Africa's landscapes are grand and diverse, varying from flat desert scrublands to lush green coastal areas and high peaks. The view from the famous, flat-topped Table mountain is a classic Africa experience. Also in the Cape Town region, the beautiful beaches attract thousands of sun lovers. The green coastal Garden Route is a great natural experience, passing countless lagoons, several interesting towns and the beautiful Tsitsikamma National Park . The Augrabies Falls National Park boasts a 60-m-high water fall. Close to the Kruger Park is God's Window and Blyde River Canyon , the largest green canyon in the world, not far from there are the high peaks of the Drakensberg mountain range. The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park is one of the country's 8 Unesco World Heritage sites for its exceptional natural beauty and the many cave paintings found there. The Namaqualand transformation from a dry monochromatic landscape into a colourful myriad of flowering during spring season, is a sight to behold, but there are many others including areas of the Kalahari desert, where stubborn endemic life forms defy the harsh environment and thrive.

Cultural heritage [ edit ]

Large numbers and some of the oldest hominid fossils have been found in South Africa, especially in the Cradle of Humankind , another World Heritage Site. Over 30 different caves held important fossils, but the caves of Sterkfontein are perhaps the most important one at the site. Far more recent, the 17th-century Castle of Good Hope in beautiful Cape Town is one of the cultural heritage sites from colonial times. Robben Island , where Nelson Mandela was famously imprisoned, has become a major destination. For more insight in the Apartheid times, visit the District Six Museum in Cape Town or the Apartheid museum in Johannesburg .

Other attractions [ edit ]

• Although regularly criticized, visits to the infamous townships are increasingly popular. Some say such trips turn poverty into entertainment while others think they benefit all those involved. In any case, a township tour is an experience that will stick.
• The Cango Caves near Oudtshorn is an extensive and complex cave system within the Swartberg Mountains, containing many unique natural limestone formations. Management of the site falls under the Western Cape Parks Administration and is open to visitors. The shorter "standard tour" is available for everyone and lasts about an hour, however, the "adventure tour" is only open to experienced cavers , as it can last 4 to 6 hours and requires a high degree of physical fitness to belly crawl through tight spots and nooks to reach the various chambers spread over 4 km.
• Soweto , in Johannesburg , is particularly well known.
• South Africa has gained world-wide fame as a wine country, and if you're interested, a visit to one of the over 800 wineries can be a great addition to your trip. Head to the Cape Winelands around Stellenbosch for some of the best picks.
• Rand Airport in Germiston, near Johannesburg, is a regional airport serving mostly private pilots, small air service operators and flying schools. It also houses several well kept and maintained vintage aircraft such as the privately owned World War II "Harvard Squadron" usually quite active on weekends. Helicopter sight seeing and nostalgic air tours, specifically flying on a "Dakota DC3" and a wind in the face "Tiger Moth" biplane, are also available.
• Don't be astonished that South Africa is a republic run by a democracy, but it is possible to visit dozens of non-sovereign kingdoms governed by their own traditional rulers.

Do [ edit ]

• Hot air ballooning , the "Cradle of Mankind" in Gauteng near Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape offer some spectacular balloon safaris. Booking arrangements can be made through a variety of operators easily found online.
• Dive , see Diving in South Africa for details.
• River rafting: The Orange River on the border to Namibia is a popular destination for rafting tours. Several tour operators launch 4-6 day trips in blow-up boats from Vioolsdrif with camping under the stars.
• Hiking and mountaneering are very popular in the Highlands of KwaZulu-Natal and in certain areas of the Eastern and Western Cape. Advance bookings may be essential to secure a place as some eco-sensitive places allow only a limited number of people to visit per year.
• Rugby union , cricket and soccer are all popular spectator sports, traditionally associated with Afrikaner, Anglo-South African and black South African culture respectively, although this has changed since the fall of Apartheid, and the Springboks (national Rugby union team) has had a lot of black fans at least since the 1995 World Cup, hosted in South Africa, when South Africa won with Nelson Mandela (then president) in attendance wearing a Springbok jersey. In 2019, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup for the third time, this time with a multi-racial team and a black captain.
• Friends of the Rail are based in Pretoria. This non-profit preservation society looks after steam locomotives and period rolling stock. Steam train outings are organized regularly departing in the morning from their own station in Hermanstad, Pretoria, and arriving in Cullinan for an extended stop over allowing sufficient time for lunch or a picnic before returning to base in the afternoon.
• The Magaliesberg steam train is another vintage steam train trip, operated by South African Railways (Transnet). It departs Johannesburg's main Park Station in the morning once or twice per month, offering a day long scenic tour through the nearby Magaliesberg Mountains. A packed lunch or picnic basket is essential.
• Battle sites : Many well documented Zulu-Indigenous, Boer-Indigenous, Zulu-British and Boer-British war sites are well kept, easy to access and worthwhile a visit. Mostly found in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, The War Museum in Johannesburg can provide maps and literature to help one plan a tour of where to go.
• Self-driving tours : Due to the size of the country and well developed extent of the national road network, a practical and fulfilling way of seeing the country is by driving through. The natural beauty of areas like "Golden Gate", "God's Window", "The Garden Route", "The Wild Coast", "St. Lucia and Cape Vidal", offer the leisurely vacationer unskeptic to mingle with locals or stay in farmsteads, a wide variety of tinkling sensations not experienced any other way.
• Motor racing in Gauteng is a regular calendar event, with Kyalami and Swartkops raceway facilities being among others, the main backdrops for all sorts of top notch national and regional two and four wheel competitions.

Buy [ edit ]

Money [ edit ].

The currency is the rand , denoted by the symbol " R " (ISO code: ZAR ). It is divided into 100 cents (c). Notes are in denominations of R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10. Higher value notes are slightly larger in physical size than small value notes. All notes have a metallic security strip and a watermark. A new series of banknotes was introduced in 2012, and both the old and the new series are circulating and legal tender.

Coins are in denominations of R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c. Production of 2c and 1c coins was suspended in 2002 although those still in circulation remain legal tender. All transactions are rounded down to the nearest lower 5c, so as not to require the use of 2c and 1c coins. There are two types of R5 coins in circulation: one is a silver-coloured coin while the other is silver-coloured with a copper insert. Both are legal currency.

South Africa is part of the Southern African Common Monetary Area and the rand can be used in Namibia (where it is an official currency along with the Namibian dollar), and in Lesotho and Eswatini (where it is widely accepted, but not an official currency). The currencies of each country are tied to the rand at the rate of 1:1.

Traveller's cheques are a safe way of carrying money around. You can exchange them at all banks (which are found throughout the country even in rural areas) and you will get a refund if they are stolen. The disadvantage is that you cannot pay with them and you will need change when exchanging them into rand. Use ATMs instead if possible.

Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) , linked to all major international networks, are available throughout the country and will generally dispense money in a mixture of denominations between R200 and R10, with about 80% of the value requested being high value notes and the rest in smaller denominations. You can use any Cirrus or Maestro card and all major credit and debit cards at the ATMs. South African bank ATMs charge fees in addition those levied by your own financial institution: e.g., R50 by Nedbank, or R75 by ABSA, as of March 2023

It is best to use only ATMs that are inside a mall or other building. Always be careful to make sure no one is watching you enter your PIN, and be vigilant about scams (e.g. machines that seem to eat your card and won't give it back after you enter the PIN). Do not accept help from strangers when withdrawing money at an ATM. If you are approached and offered unwanted help, cancel the transaction immediately and go to a different ATM.

The till points at some major retail stores ( such as Pick 'n Pay ) also act as ATMs; simply tell the checkout clerk that you would like to withdraw money. Transaction costs will be less than at ATMs.

Visa and MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere. American Express and Diners Club are also accepted, but not as widely.

Most retail stores accept credit cards and PIN-based debit cards as payment. South Africa has moved towards a chip-and-PIN credit card system like Europe. Thus, credit card users from countries also on that system (like the United States) will have no problem using their credit cards in South Africa, provided that they have notified their bank in advance of their travel plans.

VAT (Value Added Tax) is levied at 15% on almost all products in South Africa. Government legislated bread (rectangular loaf) and basic food stuff like uncooked meats, fresh milk, raw and unprocessed fruit and vegetables, are all tax exempt. By law, advertised prices should be inclusive of VAT except when explicitly stated otherwise. Foreign passport holders may claim back the VAT only on material products that were bought in South Africa and are being taken out of the country, provided that the total value of the goods exceeds R250, but not for things like accommodation and food costs or car rental. Full details of the procedure to follow are available from the Department of Foreign Affairs and their new TAX Refund for tourists site . VAT Refund Administrator's offices are available at both Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo) and Cape Town International Airports. Refunds will be credited to a Travelex Visa card that you will be given, denominated in U.S. dollars or euros, the fees in conversion associated with this card can leave you with up to 10% less than you thought you were getting. The cards can only be used outside of South Africa.

Costs [ edit ]

Petrol and diesel [ edit ].

Liquid fuel prices in South Africa are regulated and are fixed by region monthly. In general, petrol is cheaper near the ports (Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth). A litre of petrol will cost around R17 (2018).

• Tyre punctures and small vehicle repairs can be done in garages almost anywhere. Private or chain/franchise tyre shops are easily found and charge around R90/120, including puncture repair kit, new air valve and wheel rebalancing. Although prices for things like new radiator hoses or air and oil filters, new batteries, aircon gas refills and so on, may be wise shopping around for better prices, these services are also carried out while you wait.
• Windscreen chipping can often occur both on South African asphalt or dirt roads. Major urban centers have specialists in windscreen repairs able to invisibly and permanently fix small chips and cracks while you wait for about R500. If not found online, any proper garage or windscreen agent will be able to recommend someone near you. If a crack results from someone else's vehicle and you are insured, record the date, time and location, plus the other vehicle's registration plate number, colour and make to give your insurer.

Toll roads [ edit ]

The most expensive toll gate in South Africa is the Swartruggens toll plaza on the N4 between Swartruggens and Zeerust , cost is R71 for a normal car. In total, road tolls between Pretoria and Mbombela or between Johannesburg and Cape Town will cost you just under R100. If travelling from Beitbridge to Cape Town, down the N1, expect to pay as much as R270.

Food [ edit ]

• You can buy a McDonald's Big Mac for around R39,90 (2020)
• A sit-in lunch at an average restaurant will cost you about R120 per person (2018).
• A dinner at a restaurant in a fancy or posh area may cost R200 R500 p/person (without drinks).
• A basic 30-cm pizza will cost about R85 (2018), however, known chains offer bulk buy specials.
• Beverages of all kinds in most restaurants tend to be too overpriced. Unlicensed establishments may charge a "corking" fee, ranging from cheap to questionably high.

Shopping [ edit ]

Prices in shops are fixed, but prices in open markets or from street vendors are open to barter.

South Africa may not the best place to find bargains for most goods, for example, most ordinary consumer goods, electronics, and appliances are by and large manufactured in China nowadays, while most luxury goods are manufactured in Europe. In any case, by law, everything has to specify place of origin/manufacture in addition to, in the case of garments, accessories and shoes, the various types of materials used and the respective percentages. Nevertheless, the South Africa garment and shoe industry has begun a new chapter by reviving some dormant factories and in partnership with new brilliant local fashion designers, combining to produce very attractive high quality affordable shoes and clothing items made from nationally sourced top grade raw materials, like leather, wool and mohair, the Young Designers Forum label is an example of this development and Cape Town leads the way, while others can be found on the web. On the electronic goods market, prices needs double checking, a simple GPS navigator for your car will cost about R2000 - more than double the cost in the US or Europe! Nevertheless, in major urban centers like Johannesburg and Cape Town, retail parks with direct to public factory outlets, offer very discounted prices on well known global brands in clothing, sports shoes and equipment, accessories, home entertainment and electronics.

However, South Africa is a superior destination for buying African art, curios, and souvenirs which are far more difficult to obtain outside of Africa. In Johannesburg particularly, the Jewellery Council of SA and Diamond Board of SA certified diamond and coloured gemstone dealers and jewellers make jewellery in gold or platinum, available from reputable manufacturers at much better prices than on high street. Much of these business are concentrated in Jewel City , Main St., Jhb. or The Hamlet , Ridge Rd., Parktown, Jhb. All of these business provide the necessary documentation for a full VAT refund when leaving the country.

Tipping [ edit ]

Tipping is the norm in restaurants. Indeed, most of these businesses pay their staff the legal minimum-wage, relying on customer tips to bring staff incomes up to live-able levels. Tips of around 10% of the bill are considered the norm but you may refuse to tip if the food and/or service were below par. Please note some restaurants management shares all "official" tips, you may want to rather give an actual cash tip to the waiter involved, instead of adding it to the bill being paid by cr/card.

A small amount, usually around R5 or more, is given to petrol station attendants for additional services, such as cleaning one's windscreen. Toilet cleaners at service stations along major road routes are sometimes tipped when they provide good service and keep the facilities clean. "Car guards", who claim to "look after" one's parked car are often given a small tip if they are in uniform and authorized; however those without uniforms are usually regarded as a nuisance, and tipping them is not compulsory, despite the fact that they often harass motorists looking for payment.

The 10% tipping rule also applies when taking a taxi. As most cabs work with cash only, it's better to ask how much you'll be expected to pay for your journey before getting in. This will ensure that you always have enough to give the driver as a tip.

Lastly, when checking into your hotel, it is customary to tip your porter as well. The generally accepted rule is to give them R5 per bag they handle.

Eat [ edit ]

Cuisine [ edit ]

South African cuisine is just as diverse as its cultures, with influences from British , Dutch , German , Indian , Malay , Portuguese , Greek , Italian and of course the native African influences.

• Braaivleis , meat roasted over an open wood or charcoal fire, is very popular and generally done at weekend social events. The act of roasting the meat as well as the social event is referred to as a braai .
• Pap , a porridge made with corn meal. Slappap (runny porridge), is smooth and often eaten as a breakfast porridge, Stywepap (stiff porridge) has a doughy and more lumpy consistency and is often used as a replacement for rice or other starches. "Krummel" pap also called umphokoqo (crumby porridge) is drier, resembles couscous and is often served at a braai covered in a saucy tomato and onion relish called sous .
• Potjiekos , a meat and vegetable stew made in a cast iron pot over an open fire. A favorite at braais .
• Boerewors , a spicy sausage. Boerewors Rolls are hotdog buns with boerewors rather than hotdogs, traditionally garnished with an onion and tomato relish.
• Biltong and Droëwors , seasoned meat or sausage that has been dried. Beef, game and ostrich meat is often used. A favourite at sports events and while travelling.
• Bunny chows , half a loaf of bread with the inside replaced by lamb or beef curry, a speciality of the Indian community in Durban .
• Bobotie , meatloaf with a Cape Malay influence, seasoned with curry and spices, topped with a savoury custard.
• Morogo , a wild spinach on its own or with potato. Sometimes served with pap .
• Waterblommetjiebredie , mutton and indigenous water lily stew.
• Masonja , for the culinary adventurer, fried Mopanie worms.
• Melktert , "milk tart", a milk-based dessert.
• Koeksisters , a deep-fried sticky dessert.
• Vetkoek , deep fried dough ball made from flour, served with curry mince or apricot jam.
• Umvubo , sour milk mixed with umphokoqo, commonly eaten by the Xhosa people.

Fast food [ edit ]

You will find the usual array of international fast food outlets. McDonald's , KFC , Domino's Pizza and Wimpy are found throughout the country.

Local franchises worth mentioning are Black Steer , Spur and Steers for the best burgers and Nando's peri-peri chicken. Chicken Licken is also a very popular choice for the locals, especially for their hot wings.

Pizza delivery is available in most urban areas whereby food can be ordered online with places such as Domino's Pizza [dead link] and Debonairs.

If you want to keep to a budget and not bother with cooking, everywhere all supermarkets chains have a deli, bakery and kitchen sections providing a wide range of ready to eat meals and sandwiches or you can choose yourself from the hot buffet or salad bar. These items are sold by weight at reasonable prices.

• Seafood franchises like Ocean Basket and Fishaways specialise in seafood, either to eat in or take away. Inland, due to the distances from the coast, fresh fish dishes are not easily found. However near rivers, some establishments offer what's regionally available. In coastal cities and towns, the situation is reversed with Cape Town and Durban being particularly good in having a choice of excellent seafood establishments at their respective waterfronts.

Special diets [ edit ]

• Vegetarian and Vegan fast food and sit in outlets or restaurants are quite popular in urban South Africa, the Kauai franchise usually present in shopping malls and CBDs amongst other places, lead the way in variety, quality and keen pricing. Another source of affordable ready made such meals, can be found at supermarket chains like Fruit&Veg , Woolworths , Pick & Pay , Spar or Checkers , while a growing number of regular restaurants will also cater for such diets.
• Kosher and Halal dietary requirements are well known in SA. In areas with reasonable to high concentration of Jewish and Muslim populations, is quite easy to find restaurants, butcheries and supermarkets catering for these needs. In other areas, it may require searching to ascertain their existence or a Jewish or Muslim person can always contact their nearest respective religious place of worship or organization for enquires.

Smoking [ edit ]

Most restaurants and even pubs have been declared "smoke-free" areas. However, this is often ignored. In some restaurants you will find a dedicated smokers area where children are not allowed. Rule of thumb is to check for an ashtray on your table. You will, however, in all probability be greeted at the door of the establishment with a "smoking-or-nonsmoking". Check as smoking in non-designated areas is not permitted and you'll be met with some rude gestures.

Drink [ edit ]

Municipal tap water is usually safe to drink. In some area such as Hartebeespoort Dam, it is advisable to boil your water before drinking.

Milk is widely available at most supermarkets, but bottled orange juice not-from-concentrate is much, much harder to find than in North America. Most South African retailers carry only orange juice reconstituted from concentrate or orange juice blended with other juices or milk. Soft drinks like Coca-Cola and Pepsi are widely available, though.

The legal age to purchase and drink alcohol in South Africa is 18. Almost all restaurants are licensed to serve liquor.

Witblits or Mampoer are locally distilled under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture, and allocated a manufacturers' licence. They are safe and enjoyable to consume and does not resemble the names for moonshine or firewater . The alcohol content is controlled by the Department, so is the quality.

Beer [ edit ]

Local beer production is dominated by SABMiller with Castle, Hansa, Black Label and Castle Milk Stout being most popular brands. There are also Micro Breweries all over South Africa. Imported beers such as Stella Artois and Grolsch or Laurentina, are also widely available. The Namibian Windhoek brand beers are also popular and generally available.

Prices can vary widely depending on the establishment. Expect to pay R25 for a 0.5 L beer (July 2017).

Wine [ edit ]

South Africa has a well established wine industry with most of the wine produced concentrated in the Cape Winelands in the Western Cape and along the Orange River in the Northern Cape . Wine is plentiful and affordable throughout the country, a 750ml bottle of a really good red starts at R100, a Chardonnay at R90. Good quality wines are also available in 5L and 3L cartons. A 3L of good red will cost about R110 and a 3L Chardonnay, about R95. Since prices are not fixed, it pays to shop around.

Liquors [ edit ]

Amarula Cream [dead link] is made from the marula fruit. The marula fruit is a favourite treat for African elephants, baboons and monkeys and in the liqueur form definitely not something to be passed over by humans. Pour over crushed ice and enjoy. The taste, colour and texture is very similar to Baileys Irish Cream. Cape Velvet is a favourite in and around Cape Town.

Tea and coffee [ edit ]

The local Rooibos tea, made from a herb from the Cederberg Mountains is a favorite for many South Africans. You will find coffee shops in most shopping malls, such as Mugg&Bean and House of Coffees . Coffee shops similar in concept to Starbucks, like Seattle Coffee Company and Vida e Caffe [dead link] (Portuguese themed), are becoming commonplace.

Sleep [ edit ]

Establishments in South Africa can have themselves graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa [dead link] on a 5-star basis. Many establishments make use of this service and you will see the star grading displayed on most advertising material. An inconsistent pricing system that sees many establishments offering a "per person" price instead of a "per room" rate, should be made aware of. Also, not everyone makes very it clear if breakfast is included or not and if not, how much extra will be. If you are budget sensitive, in the last few years, accommodation costs at many greedy establishments, in big or small towns alike, have been going up far out of sync with actual inflation, making it unwise to pre-book without doing a thorough search. In certain instances, a global brand or comparable hotel will cost much less in Europe or America than in SA. One of the excuses for this is the exchange rate, so, shop around. Another anomalie, is the inconsistency within the star rating. A three or four star guest house, B&B or hotel, maybe better kitted out, more spacious, better maintained and run than a five star establishment in the same area, therefore, rendering the system a rough guide-line indicator and not a systematic reliable set of standards. Similarly, in game reserve areas for example, is not uncommon to spot a slightly above average establishment charging just a slightly cheaper rate than the nearby ultra luxurious game lodge, but offering nothing comparable in quality or variety to its seven star counterpart, so, beware. For the price conscious and average tourist, the game reserve experience is better done within game camps under the control of the Provincial Parks Authorities or National Parks Board. There, prices for accommodation, food and guided safaris are very reasonable.

• 1 star - Clean, comfortable and functional.
• 2 star - Good: Quality furnishings, service and guest care.
• 3 star - Very good: Better furnishings, service and guest care.
• 4 star - Superior: Excellent comfort and very high standard furnishings, service and guest care.
• 5 star - Exceptional: Top of the line quality and luxurious accommodation to match the best international standards. Flawless service and guest care.

Backpacker lodges [ edit ]

Backpacking lodges or hostels are widespread all over the country. Most establishments offer great value tours and activities in the areas. There is a great network of transport around the country making it suitable for single and younger travellers. Some lodges provide meals especially in the more remote areas. Most have self-catering facilities and shared bathrooms although en-suite bathrooms are also common.

B&Bs [ edit ]

Bed and Breakfast establishments are becoming very popular. The accommodation is usually provided in a family (private) home and the owner/manager lives in the house or on the property. Breakfast is usually served. Bathroom facilities may be en-suite. In general, the guest shares the public areas with the host family.

Self-catering [ edit ]

A house, cottage, chalet, bungalow, flat, studio, apartment, villa, houseboat, tents or similar accommodation where facilities and equipment are provided for guests to cater for themselves. (This can include a fridge, oven, stove, and microwave.) The facilities should be adequate to cater for the maximum advertised number of residents the facility can accommodate.

Guest house [ edit ]

A guest house is a converted house or manor adapted to accommodate overnight guests or it may be a purpose built facility. A guest house is run as a commercial operation and is often owner-managed. A guest house has areas which are for the exclusive use of the guest. The owner/manager either lives off-site, or in a separate area within the property.

Camping and caravaning [ edit ]

Caravan parks can be found in most towns that are holiday destinations. Most caravan parks also offer camping sites where you can pitch a tent (double check because sometime tents are excluded).

The parks generally have central ablution facilities.

Also see the By motorhome and By offroad vehicle sections for additional camping options.

Timeshare [ edit ]

There are many timeshare resorts in South Africa, most participate in international exchange agreements. Many timeshare owners also rent their time when they can not make use of it.

Long-term [ edit ]

Many real estate agents in South Africa also offer rental services. The rental properties are mostly available on unfurnished long term lease, but you will also find furnished properties on offer with 1 to 12-month lease agreements

Your local branch of an international estate agent with a presence in South Africa might also be able to assist you.

Learn [ edit ]

Non-South African citizens need to be in possession of a study permit to study inside the country. You should apply for one at a South African High Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission in your country of origin, or in the nearest country, should there be no South African representation is available in your country. Government form BI-1738 [dead link] needs to be completed for the application.

You will need to do some preparation to gain a study permit . At a minimum you will need acceptance by a South African University, repatriation guarantees, return air ticket and proof that you can cover living expenses while in South Africa, including cover or insurance for the eventuality of medical need, before a permit will be issued. Having a SA family relation or friend with good social standing, does make such matters easier to deal with. The cost for obtaining a study permit is R425 and applications take about 6 weeks to process.

Expect to spend at least R6,000 per month on general living expenses ( accommodation, food, travel, etc ) in addition to tuition fees.

There are many secondary and tertiary education centres in South Africa. The University of Cape Town is the top-ranked university in Africa, placing 198th in the world, according to the 2007 Times Higher Education ranking. The Universities of the Witwatersrand, Stellenbosch, Pretoria and KwaZulu-Natal also routinely appear in the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Top 500 rankings.

PPL and Boat Skipper : South Africa is also an excellent venue to learn new skills such as flying, sailing and scuba diving since costs are generally far lower than in more developed countries while quality of training will be equal or better.

Commercial diving : South Africa is quite popular for commercial diver training as the qualification is internationally recognised by the International Diver Recognition Forum, and the Department of Labout is a member of the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). A South African Department of Labour certification as a Class I or Class II diver is acceptable for offshore work in many other parts of the world, including the North Sea and Nigerian offshore oilfields.

Work [ edit ]

Due to the high levels of unemployment in South Africa, there are limited work opportunities for foreigners.

Non-citizens are only allowed to work in South Africa if they are in possession of a work permit . Students in Canada can apply for a work visa through SWAP , although costs are high the service is helpful and well organized.

The process of applying for a work permit is similar to applying for a study permit, contact a South African High Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission in your country of origin, or in the nearest country, should there be no South African representation is available in your country. Government form B1-159 (A&C) needs to be completed for the application. Processing of the application will take 8 to 12 weeks.

Scarce skills and work permit quotas [ edit ]

There are some skills that are in short supply in the country and the Department of Home Affairs has a Quota Work Permit program aimed at sourcing these skills from abroad. A list of skills in demand and set quotas for each of those skills are published yearly. Applicants with formal qualification and work experience in the required fields may apply for a quota work permit. This permit costs around R1600 and applications will take between 6 and 8 weeks to process. If the application is approved one will have a 90-day period ( from the time of entering the country ) to find employment in the field that the permit was issued for. Once employed, the permit will stay valid as long as one is employed within the same field of work ( changing employers is allowed ). More information, as well as the skills and quotas list for the current year, can be found on the Department of Home Affairs homepage [dead link] .

Stay safe [ edit ]

Note: Up-to-date safety advice for visitors is published regularly by the British Government and the United States Government .

See also the warning about security at O.R. Tambo International Airport .

South Africa has very few earthquakes, cyclones, tornadoes, floods, terrorist incidents or contagious diseases (with the notable exception of HIV).

However, South Africa has some of the highest violent crime rates in the world, though by being vigilant and using common sense, you should have a safe and pleasant trip as millions of other people have each year. The key is to know and stick to general safety precautions: never walk around in deserted areas at night or advertise possession of money or expensive accessories.

Crime levels are relatively high in South Africa, however, perceptions can be misleading because statistically, most of the criminal activity is concentrated around certain specific townships and perpetrated by specialised criminal organizations connected to copper theft, car theft, transportation of goods and cash in transit theft, home or business and warehouse break-ins, smuggling, drug dealing, prostitution and so on. Opportunistic attacks like robberies or muggings of individuals outside those areas are very uncommon unless one mixes with low life characters or ventures into seedy joints or gangster neighborhoods. As far as tourism goes, most embassies and tourist organizations will have lists of known areas to avoid. If you drive around, you'll notice some bad road behaviour, however inconsiderate it may be to you, just ignore it and make sure there isn't a road rage incident. Like anywhere else, as a general rule, it's advisable for visitors to keep valuables out of sight and to keep a low profile. All South Africans are in general a nice bunch of people but as in any society, there's always a couple of bad apples mixed in the barrel.

Do not accept offers from friendly strangers. Do not wear a tummy bag with all your valuables; consider a concealed money belt worn under your shirt instead. Leave passports and other valuables in a safe or other secure location. Although most banks and exchange bureaus require your passport in order to exchange foreign monies to Rands, in South Africa it's legal to carry authenticated photocopies of documents in lieu of originals. To get documents authenticated free of charge, take the original and copies to any South African Police station and ask the officer on duty to help you. The papers will be good for 90 days from police stamp date. Do not carry large sums of money. Do not walk at night through deserted places. Hide that you are a tourist: conceal your camera and binoculars. Do not leave your valuables in plain sight when driving in your car, as "smash and grab" attacks sometimes occur at certain hot spot intersections, and keep your car doors locked and your windows open less than half way. Know where to go so that you avoid getting lost or needing a map: that will avoid signs.

If you are carrying bags, try to hook them under a table or chair leg when sitting down, as this will prevent them from being snatched.

Visiting the townships is possible, but don't go alone unless you really know where you're going. Some townships are safe while others can be extremely dangerous . Go with an experienced guide. Some tour companies offer perfectly safe guided visits to the townships.

Taking an evening stroll or walking to venues after dark can be very risky. It is not part of the culture there, as it is in Europe, North America or Australia. It is best to take a taxi (a metered cab, not a minibus taxi) or private vehicle for an "evening out". The same applies to picking up hitchhikers or offering assistance at broken-down car scenes. It is best to ignore anyone who appears to be in distress at the side of the road as it could be part of a scam. Keep going until you see a police station and tell them about what you have seen.

If you are driving in South Africa, when police officers stop you to check your licence, and you show them an overseas driver's licence, they may come out with some variant of `Have you got written permission from [random government department] to drive in our country?' If your licence is written in English or you have an International Driving Permit then they can't do anything. Stand your ground and state this fact - be polite, courteous and don't pay any money (bribes). Furthermore, any foreign drivers license with English on it is valid in South Africa for ninety days from day of entry, and the corresponding passport may need to be presented together. After ninety days, a foreign drivers licence maybe deemed invalid and need to be converted to a SA driver licence, as the legal status of such foreigners may fall within the temporary resident requirements.

Take extra care when driving at night. Unlike in Europe and North America, vast stretches of South African roads, especially in rural areas, are poorly lit or often completely unlit. This includes highways. Be extra careful as wildlife and people often walk in the middle of the road in smaller towns (not cities like Pretoria, Johannesburg, or Cape Town). You must also take extra care when driving in South Africa due to the risk of carjackings.

If you are driving a car with an "out-of-town" numberplate, you will draw attention to yourself. If possible, use a car that is registered in the town or province where you are using it. If this is not possible, be extra vigilant.

Important telephone numbers [ edit ]

• The National Tourism Information and Safety Line , ☏ +27 83 123 2345 (mobile) . Operated by South African Tourism  
• The National Sea Rescue Institute , ☏ +27 21 434-4011 , +27 82 380 3800 (Mobile after hours) . A volunteer organization with rescue stations around the coast and mayor inland bodies of water  

From a fixed line [ edit ]

• 107 - Emergency (in Cape Town, only from fixed lines)
• 10111 - Police
• 10177 - Ambulance

From a mobile phone [ edit ]

• 112 - All emergencies

International calls at local rates [ edit ]

• Step 1: Dial: 087 150 0823 from any mobile or landline
• e.g. 00 44 11 123 4567 #
• Countries: USA, UK (landline), India, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong and many more.
• Supported on: Vodacom, MTN, Cell C, Telkom and Neotel

Wildlife [ edit ]

One of the main reasons travellers visit South Africa is to experience the outdoors and see the wide range of wildlife.

When driving in a wildlife reserve, always keep to the speed limits and stay inside your car at all times. On game drives or walks, always follow the instructions of your guide.

Do not drive too close to elephants. Be prepared to back up very quickly if they charge at you. Elephants are strong enough to roll many small cars. They can destroy small cars by sitting on them (which means they blow out all tires and windows and bend the frame beyond repair) while you scream for your life inside.

Ensure that you wear socks and boots whenever you are walking in the bush; do not wear open sandals. A good pair of boots can stop snake and insect bites and avoid any possible cuts that may lead to infections.

In many areas you may encounter wildlife while driving on public roads, monkeys and baboons are especially common. Do not get out of the vehicle to take photos or otherwise try to interact with the animals. These are wild animals and their actions can be unpredictable.

Sometimes you might find yourself in the open with wild animals ( often happens with baboons at Cape Point ). Keep your distance and always ensure that the animals are only to one side of you, do not walk between two groups or individuals. A female baboon may become upset if you come between her and her child.

Always check with locals before swimming in a river or lake as there may be crocodiles or hippos. Most major beaches in KwaZulu-Natal have shark nets installed. If you intend to swim anywhere other that the main beaches, check with a local first.

Shark nets may be removed for a couple of days during the annual sardine run ( normally along the KwaZulu-Natal coast between early May and late July ). This is done to avoid excessive shark and other marine life fatalities. Notices are posted on beaches during these times.

Loadshedding [ edit ]

South Africa is well-known for its ongoing energy crisis which has resulted in daily blackouts for the better part of the decade. Known by the locals as 'loadshedding', the failure of the public energy grid has become a fact of life to many South Africans but poses as an unexpected roadblock to many travellers.

Loadshedding times are classified into 'stages'. The higher the stage, the more blackouts there will be per day and the longer they will last. As of 2024, only on holidays will there be no scheduled loadshedding, so this is the best time to visit. The current schedule and stage can be viewed on the public energy supplier Eskoms website by typing in your local municipality. Blackouts can be as often as once or twice a day lasting two and a half hours each at stage 1-2, and at the higher stages it can be up to 3-5 times a day sometimes lasting up to four and a half hours each. Some days there may only be a few hours of power available.

The stage can unexpectedly increase and decrease without warning, often 4-5 times a week. However, most hotels, malls and restaurants have in-built inverters and solar panels and at the very least Wi-Fi hooked up to a battery, so some utilities can be expected in more affluent places. It is advisable to bring your own portable cell phone chargers as working charging ports may not be accessible for some periods of the day.

The City of Cape Town uses its own facilities to reduce the impact of loadshedding on areas purchasing electricity through the City of Cape Town. The impact is generally one level lower than the rest of the country. Private industry and business usually have backup power to keep them running through loadshedding, but most government offices and state owned organisations do not function when loadshedding is active. Some areas of Cape Town get power directly from Eskom, and they get the full loadshedding schedule. In some places the hospitals are exempt, as may be anyone else getting power from the same substation.

Be aware that crime rate is significantly higher during these blackout periods as cameras and home security systems are often disabled, and even police lines may be down. Finding a rental or hotel that utilizes private security may be ideal, although this is almost always the case for the more prosperous parts of the country.

Stay healthy [ edit ]

Emergency and medical assistance [ edit ].

There are a number of independent emergency assist companies in South Africa

• Netcare 911 , 49 New Rd, Midrand , ☏ +27 11 254-1927 . Some travel agents offer Netcare911 cover as an option, but you can also deal with them via Travel Insurance providers. It's worth checking if your existing cover has an association with them.  
• Travel Insurance , ☏ +27 11 780-3300 . Contracted to Netcare and offers comprehensive EMS cover for the inbound traveller to South Africa .  
• ER24 , Manor 1, Cambridge Manor Office Park, corner Witkoppen and Stonehaven, Paulshof, Sandton , ☏ 084 124 (domestic) . A large and well represented emergency assist company incorporating the Medi-Clinic chain of hospitals.  

Hospitals [ edit ]

It is best to avoid public hospitals where possible. Private hospitals are of world class standard.

Pharmacies [ edit ]

The major pharmacy chains found at shopping centres catering to tourists (e.g., Sandton City, V&A Waterfront) is Clicks and Dischem. Some supermarket chains like Checkers have in-store pharmacies.

South African pharmacies are generally comparable to their counterparts in Europe and North America. However, the retail shelves of South African pharmacies tend to have a smaller selection of drugs than their North American counterparts, and a more dietary supplements. South African pharmacies do carry many OTC drugs, but if you don't see them on the shelf, you'll have to ask for them at the counter when the pharmacist is in.

Water [ edit ]

Municipal tap water is usually safe to drink throughout the country. In the Western Cape mountain water is safe, even if it has been stained brown due to vegetation. A strong risk of bilharzia exists for still-standing water.

Sunburn [ edit ]

Many activities in South Africa are outdoors, see the sunburn and sun protection travel topic for tips on how to protect yourself.

HIV and AIDS [ edit ]

South Africa has one of the highest HIV infection rates world-wide. 5.4 million people out of a population of 48 million are HIV-positive.

The HIV infection rate in the total population older than 2 years varies from around 2% in the Western Cape to over 17% in KwaZulu-Natal, and all together 18.8% of South Africans over 15 years of age are HIV-Positive. One in four females and one in five males aged 20 to 40 is estimated to be infected.

Malaria [ edit ]

The north-eastern areas of the country (including the Kruger National Park and St. Lucia and surrounds) are seasonal malaria zones, from about November to May. The peak danger time is just after the wet season from March to May. Consult a physician regarding appropriate precautions, depending on the time of year you will be travelling. The most important defences against malaria are:

• using a DEET-based mosquito repellent
• covering your skin with long-sleeved clothing, especially around dusk; and
• using mosquito nets while sleeping.

Tabbard and Peaceful Sleep are commonly used mosquito repellents and can be bought almost anywhere.

Also read the Malaria and Mosquitoes travel topics.

Smoking is banned in all enclosed public spaces, these include airports, pubs, shopping malls and theaters. However, this is largely ignored.

Most restaurants do have smoking sections, either ventilated indoor areas or outdoor open areas.

Respect [ edit ]

South Africans are generally polite, friendly and accommodating to tourists. Talking slightly loud outdoors is quite normal, as South Africans tend to be a free thinking and exuberant bunch of people and such behaviour is ok amongst friends and acquaintances. Strangers should observe general protocols of politeness at first and if accepted, "when in Rome, do like Romans do". Smiling and acknowledging strangers is normal behaviour and a slight head nod or hand wave common practice. Striking an occasional chat with complete strangers in places like bus stops, supermarkets, bars, government buildings, public transportation, petrol stations, shops, etc., can also happen regularly.

Public behaviour is very similar to what you might find in Europe. Heterosexual displays of affection in public are not frowned upon unless you overdo it. Homosexual displays of affection may generate unwelcome attention although they will be tolerated and respected in the more gay-friendly and cosmopolitan areas of Johannesburg (Sandton, Rosebank and Parkhurst), Cape Town (Greenpoint, Clifton and De Waterkant) and Durban. South Africa is the first and only African nation where the government recognizes same-sex relationships and homosexual marriages are recognized by law.

Men generally greet with a firm handshake, while women will do the continental kiss on the cheek.

Except for designated beaches, nude sunbathing is illegal, although topless sunbathing for women is acceptable along Durban and Umhlanga beaches, and Cape Town's Clifton and Camps Bay beaches. Thong bikinis for ladies or swimming trunks for men (speedos if you really have to) and regular swimming costumes are the norm, otherwise, you may be openly stared at.

Eating is generally done the British way with the fork in their left hand and the tines pointed downward. Burgers, pizzas, bunny chows and any other fast foods are eaten by hand. It is generally also acceptable to steal a piece of boerewors (sausage) from the braai (barbecue grill) with your hands. Depending on which cultural group you find yourself with, these rules might change. Indians often eat breyani (rice-based) dishes with their hands, a white person of British descent might insist on eating his pizza with a knife and fork or a black person might eat pap-and-stew with a spoon. Be flexible, but don't be afraid to also do your own thing; if really unacceptable, people will generally tell you so rather than take offence.

South Africans are proud of their country and what they have achieved. Although they often complain about the problems and shortcomings that still exist, you should try not to criticise the country's current and past history; it can cause offence. South Africans know more about their country than you do.

Although mannerisms vary from ethnic group to ethnic group, South Africans, in general, are direct communicators . A South African is likely to tell you exactly what they think or disagree with you on the spot, and at times, they may come across as blunt or even assertive. However, keep in mind that South Africans generally don't intend to cause offence.

Race and apartheid [ edit ]

Those who are more accustomed to North American racial terminology should understand that words that are familiar to them have different meanings in South Africa, and the rules for what terms are polite or not are different. There are many South Africans that think classification according to skin colour or appearance in general, whether for political or social reasons, is inappropriate and would prefer to be referred to as simply South African irrespective of what you think they look like.

Under apartheid the citizens were legally divided into four groups:

• Black : the indigenous Bantu peoples
• Coloured : a mixed-race cultural group with white and African ancestors from the early colonial period, mostly Afrikaans speaking. Under Apartheid, the indigenous Khoisan peoples, the Cape Malays and the ethnic Chinese community were also classified as "coloured", but these groups generally don't identify as such and are nowadays usually not included in the term.
• White : the South Africans of European heritage (traditionally either Afrikaans or English speaking) and the Japanese
• Indian : people whose ancestors came from India during the British colonial period

Although you probably will hear those terms, it might be better to avoid using them yourself altogether. For the indigenous, think of Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, etc. instead. For the non-Bantu, the old exonyms are problematic or worse. Khoisan is the umbrella term commonly used for them all, both the Khoekhoe peoples and the San peoples. At least the San prefer the names of their individual nations.

Most people with foreign ancestry identify as South African, not Dutch, Indian, Malay or Chinese — most have family who have lived in South Africa for centuries, and the only continent they can call home is Africa. Calling somebody Dutch, for example, can be taken as an insult. Also the term Boer is considered pejorative.

It is wise to avoid racial or political remarks while in South Africa if you don't have a good understanding of South African history, because the country's very diverse cultural disposition means that "putting your foot in it" is easy. However, you will encounter many South Africans who lived through the apartheid period and are willing to talk about their experiences of the time. It can be very interesting to speak with them about their experiences, and if you have an open mind and willingness to listen, you can avoid offence. New criminal laws have been enacted to punish people that insist on publicly using racist language.

South Africa is now in its fourth decade since the end of apartheid — a very sensitive issue for everyone — in 1990, but it is always easier to change laws than people. You will occasionally still hear overtly racist remarks, which can come from members of any racial group in South Africa. This is more common from the older generation than the younger ones. The best thing to do is simply ignore it; leave the responsibility for enlightening lectures to other South Africans, who know the subject better than any foreign traveller, as they have lived it. South Africans of different races generally treat each other politely at a personal level. Broadly speaking, non-white South Africans have shown a very high degree of mental toughness, endurance, intelligence, tolerance and forgiveness to their former oppressors, with younger generations of all races mingling and socializing with one another and finding more common ground and a sense of national identity, while some older generations of all races may long for "the good old days" when time seemed to stand still and strict law and order enforcement ruled the day. Political movements are another matter, and political parties have been aligned along the racial fault lines of the society although there is starting to be a move toward better integration. Although politically there's growing racial integration and overlapping, the majority of black South Africans vote for the African National Congress (ANC), and the majority of white and Coloured South Africans vote for the liberal centrist Democratic Alliance (DA). The third major party, supported by a minority of black South Africans, is the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a far-left nationalistic party that advocates for the expropriation of white people's property without compensation, and for material compensation to be given to black people for the losses and suffering endured under colonialism and apartheid. It also wants criminal prosecution reinstated against surviving perpetrators of the apartheid regime for crimes against humanity. Politics in South Africa can be a touchy issue, and it's best to talk about it with care and empathy.

Interracial marriages are becoming quite common, and, except for possibly some of the older generation, people no longer take offence if you and your partner are not the same colour.

Religion [ edit ]

Generally speaking, South Africans tend to be more religious than Westerners, and most South Africans attend church regularly. By far the dominant religion in South Africa is Christianity , though South African Christians belong to a wide range of different denominations, with no denomination forming a majority. It is common for South Africans to invite new acquaintances to their church, though no offence will be taken if you decline. Islam is practised by most of the Cape Malays and Hinduism by many of the Indians, while there is also a small community of Ashkenazi Jews , most of whom are descended from 19th and early 20th century immigrants from Lithuania . Generally speaking, freedom of religion is respected in South Africa, and you should not run into any problems regardless of what faith you profess.

Connect [ edit ]

Phone [ edit ].

South Africa's country code is 27.

Phone numbers within South Africa are of the format 0XX YYY ZZZZ.

Large cities have area codes 0XX (Johannesburg is 011, Pretoria 012, Cape Town 021, Durban 031, Port Elizabeth 041, East London 043, Kimberley 053, Bloemfontein 051) while smaller towns may have longer area codes (0XX Y for example) with shorter local numbers.

When dialling a South African number from outside the country, one should dial +27 XX YYY ZZZZ.

Dialling within the country one should use all 10 digits, 0XX YYY ZZZZ.

To dial out of South Africa, dial 00 followed by the country code and the rest of the number you are trying to reach.

Pay phones are available at airports, shopping malls and some petrol stations. The number of pay phones in open public areas have been reduced, but you should still be able to find one when you need one. Pay phones use either coins or prepaid cards that are available at most shops and petrol stations ; coin phones are generally blue while card phones are usually green.

Generally, mobile network and data costs are not very cheap. However, consumer lobby groups are trying to influence the government to act in this regard by firstly, removing expiry dates on paid for but unused data or air time and secondly, in view of the very high profit margins consistently shown by the mobile network operators, to substantially reduce consumer costs and enable wider use by everyone, as it can help reduce poverty, create new small business opportunities and improve learning on a much bigger scale.

GSM [ edit ]

South Africa has an extensive GSM network, working on the same frequency as the rest of Africa and Europe . There are five cell phone providers in South Africa: Vodacom , MTN , Cell C [dead link] , Virgin Mobile [dead link] and Telkom .

The networks support GPRS countrywide and LTE, 3G, EDGE and HSDPA support is available in larger urban areas.

Do not assume you will not have network coverage just because you can not see a GSM tower. Many of the towers have been built to look like trees ( Vodacom ) or other structure ( MTN ) in order to better blend into the surroundings and not be an eyesore. In some rural areas, GSM towers still look like towers because of problems with animals damaging them when they look like trees.

SIM card prepaid starter kits are available for around R1. You will need a passport and a proof of residential address and it has to be registered before you can call or receive calls. If you call into a Vodacom or MTN store with a passport and drivers licence, you can be all connected on the spot. You can buy credit for prepaid phones just about everywhere, remembering you will usually need cash to do so from service stations.

Internet [ edit ]

There are plenty of Internet cafes and access rates are cheap.

Even cheaper and more mobile would be to buy a prepaid cell phone starter pack (less than R10) and access the Internet with GPRS or 3G. Generally R2 per MB for out of bundle data from most providers (50c for Virgin Mobile), but it becomes a lot cheaper if you buy a data bundle. Vodacom prices range from 38c per MB on a 500MB bundle to 19c per MB on a 1GB bundle. MTN prices range between R1 per MB on a 10MB to 39c per MB on a 1GB bundle. Mobile data connections are always charged per MB as opposed to per second (as is popular on many European networks). State run Telkom Mobile, offers very advantageous and competitive contracts and "pay as you need" packages, but the lack of sufficient customer service centers may be an hindrance, however, once the initial process in completed, top up data is available online or most major retail outlets and supermarkets.

Neotel [dead link] offers CDMA coverage in the larger metro areas with prepaid packages starting at R800 for 24GB ( usb device included and data valid for 12 months ) or R400 for the device and R0.20 per MB with the purchase of recharge vouchers. Coverage is still limited, so make sure to check the coverage map first.

ADSL1 is popular for residential use and are available in speeds of 384kbit/s, 1Mbit/s and 10Mbit/s. Due to the Telkom monopoly on last-mile infrastructure, operators can get away with labeling 384kbit/s as "broadband internet" simply because there are almost no viable alternatives, and users are usually limited to 1GB to 3GB per month on an account. The average cost of ADSL data is R70/GB.

Wi-Fi [ edit ]

AlwaysOn seem to be leading the way in prepaid Wi-Fi access. Their hotspots can now be found at Cape Town, Durban and O.R. Tambo airports, City Lodge Hotels, Sun International Hotels, some Southern Sun Hotels, Mugg & Bean restaurants and various other places. Simply connect to the access point and you will be given the opportunity to pay for access by credit card. Pricing starts at around R15 for 10 minutes or R60 for 100MB. Their support desk can be contacted on +27 011 759-7300.

Cope [ edit ]

Beggars [ edit ].

As is the reality with many developing countries, beggars are rife in South Africa. There are also many children and mothers with babies begging on the streets. People are discouraged by social services from giving children and mother-with-baby beggars money, as there are a number of children's homes available and giving them money keeps them on the street and often feeds a drug or drinking habit. However, if you encounter a particularly friendly beggar, there's nothing stopping you from giving them a few rands or a burger or bag of apples. Just be aware that muggers and con-artists are also rife in South Africa, so be wary at all times.

Embassies and consulates [ edit ]

If your country is not listed here, have at look at the list provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs [dead link] .

Funerals [ edit ]

Funerals are major community events that are attended by all family members, neighbors, and friends, as well as anyone with any connection to the family or community. Local businesses may close and lesser events may be postponed until after the funeral is over. If you are attending a funeral, dress respectfully in your best black clothes – never anything casual.

International banks [ edit ]

A number of international banks operate branches in South Africa.

Stay legal [ edit ]

There are some laws that the average tourist might not be aware of

• If you intend to do any angling (fishing), either freshwater or at the coast, you will require an angling licence for the province you are in. These can be obtained at any Post Office and the price depends on the province, but is generally under R50. Fishery and environments officials do from time to time check if anglers are in possession of a licence and you can expect to be fined if you are caught fishing without a licence. Also pick up a booklet from the nearest angling shop that will tell you what the size limits for each species of fish is.
• Except for specific areas, clearly indicated by notice boards, it is illegal to drive a vehicle onto any beach.
• Boat skippers need a licence to pilot a craft on all water courses, fresh or saltwater, within South Africa.

Photography [ edit ]

Automated machines to print (or copy to CD) from digital media (CF, SD, MMC, memory stick) are also becoming quite common and easy to find. Larger shopping malls have dedicated photography shops where you can buy cameras and lenses or have a camera repaired. Most major camera manufacturers are well represented.

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South Africa

Travel Advisory February 5, 2024

South africa - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Updated to reflect safety consideration when using GPS navigation. 

Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to  crime  and  civil unrest . 

Country Summary:   Violent crime, such as armed robbery, rape, carjacking, mugging, and "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles, is common. There is a higher risk of violent crime in the central business districts of major cities after dark.

Using GPS navigation can lead to unsafe routes. GPS navigation may suggest shortcuts through townships as the quickest preferred route but can lead to increased risks of crime.

There have been incidents in which tourists traveling in Cape Town while using GPS navigation apps have been routed through residential areas with high rates of violent crime. The safest approach to return a rental car to Cape Town International Airport is to take the N2 highway and follow signs to Airport Approach Rd ( exit 16 ). Alternatively, request the rental car company to collect your vehicle and subsequently arrange an airport transfer from established taxi companies or established ridesharing services to reach the airport.

Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently. These can develop quickly without prior notification, often interrupting traffic, transportation, and other services; such events have the potential to turn violent. 

Please see our  Alerts  for up-to-date information. 

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to South Africa. 

 If you decide to travel to South Africa: 

• Research your route in advance, stay on major highways, avoid shortcuts through townships, and avoid reliance on GPS navigation apps.
• Avoid walking alone, especially after dark. 
• Avoid visiting informal settlement areas unless you are with someone familiar with the area. 
• Do not display cash or valuables. 
• Drive with doors locked and windows closed. 
• Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location. 
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter . 
• Review the  Country Security Report  for South Africa. 
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist . 
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel. 

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

30 days beyond your intended date of exit from South Africa..

2 consecutive empty visa pages per entry (not including endorsement pages).

No, if visiting 90 days or less.

Yellow fever at least 10 days before arrival is required for travelers originating from or transiting through WHO-designated yellow fever countries.

ZAR 25,000; Foreign currency unlimited if declared; No Kruger coins.

ZAR 25,000; Foreign currency unlimited if amount was declared on entry; Up to 15 Kruger coins if proof purchased with foreign currency.

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Pretoria 877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia Pretoria 0083 South Africa Telephone: +(27)(12) 431-4000 / 012-431-4000 Fax: +(27)(12) 431-5504 / 012-431-5504 The U.S. Embassy in Pretoria does not provide consular services to the public. Facebook Twitter Email: [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Johannesburg 1 Sandton Drive (opposite Sandton City Mall) Johannesburg 2196 South Africa Telephone: +(27)(11) 290-3000 / 011-290-3000 (Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.) Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(27) 79-111-1684 / 079-111-1684 (from within South Africa) Fax: +(27)(11) 884-0396 / 011-884-0396 Email: [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Cape Town 2 Reddam Avenue, West Lake 7945, Cape Town, South Africa Telephone: +(27)(21) 702-7300 / 021-702-7300 (from within South Africa) Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(27) 702-7300 / 079-111-0391 (from within South Africa) Fax: +(27)(21) 702-7493 / 021-702-7493 (from within South Africa) Email: [email protected]

U.S. Consulate General Durban 303 Dr. Pixley KaSeme Street (formerly West Street) 31st Floor Delta Towers Durban 4001 South Africa Telephone:  +(27) (31) 305-7600/031-305-7600 (from within South Africa) Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +(27) (31) 305-7600 or +(27) 079-111-1445 / (031) 305-7600 or 079-111-1445 (from within South Africa) Fax: (+27)(31) 305-7691 / 031-305-7691 (from within South Africa) Email:   [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

South Africa strictly enforces entry and exit requirements and other immigration laws. Failure to observe these requirements may result in the traveler being denied entry, detained, deported, or deemed inadmissible to enter South Africa in the future.

Please visit the  Department of Home Affairs website  for the most up to date entry and exit requirements.

The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa is located at 3051 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 232-4400. Visit the  Embassy of South Africa  for the most current visa information.

Two Consecutive Blank Visa Pages:  South Africa requires travelers to have two consecutive completely blank visa pages in their passports upon every arrival in South Africa. YOU WILL BE DENIED ENTRY if you do not have two consecutive blank visa pages in your passport. This does not include the endorsement pages.

Traveling with minors:  There are special requirements for minors traveling through South African ports of entry. Visit the  Department of Home Affairs  website for the most up-to-date requirements for traveling with minors to or from South Africa.

Immunizations:  Travelers entering South Africa from WHO-designated countries with risk of yellow fever virus (YFV) transmission must present their current and valid International Certificate of Vaccination as approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) (“yellow card”). See the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s South Africa page .

The U.S. Department of State is not aware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of South Africa. However, South Africa has a high HIV/AIDS prevalence.

Other:  Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Alerts regarding important safety and security information such as demonstrations, road security, and weather events are posted on the  Embassy’s website .

In South Africa the equivalent to the “911” emergency line is 10111.

• The following paragraphs provide a summary, but please read the Department of State’s most recent Overseas Security Advisory Council  Country Security Report  on South Africa, which provides detailed information about safety and security concerns for travelers to South Africa.

Civil Unrest:  Strikes and demonstrations occur frequently. These can develop quickly without prior notification and occasionally turn violent, and may include the burning of vehicles, buildings, or tires – which may serve as roadblocks; throwing rocks or other objects; or physical attacks. Strikes and demonstrations can also interrupt traffic and the provision of electricity, water, public transportation, fuel, and other goods and services. Periodic incidents of mob violence directed against refugees and immigrants from other African countries occur in South Africa.  During labor protests, strike breakers or those perceived to be strike breakers have been violently attacked.  Protests involving taxis and ride hailing services can turn violent.  See Travel and Transportation section below for guidance.

Precautions:

• Avoid demonstrations and use vigilance during your movements around the country. Even events intended to be peaceful can become violent.
• Maintain caution in areas frequented by foreigners.
• Monitor news and  Alerts .

Crime:  South Africa has a very high level of crime Violent crimes occur where people live, work, while in transit or out and about.  Violent residential crimes include armed home invasions by organized criminal groups resulting in assaults, rapes, and murder.  Popular tourist destinations and major hotel chains employ their own security that largely minimize such incidents on their properties.  Armed robbery, rape, kidnapping for ransom, carjacking, mugging, and "smash-and-grab" attacks on vehicles affect visitors and residents alike. Extra vigilance at traffic lights and on/off ramps where cars slow or stop is warranted.  To avoid robbery outside higher end stores when buying jewelry or electronics, many vendors will deliver your purchase to your home or hotel for a fee.  Crime can occur anywhere and anytime, including in and around Kruger National Park, and U.S. government staff and visitors have been robbed in the immediate vicinity of our diplomatic facilities. You should exercise particular caution in the central business districts (CBDs) of major cities, especially after dark. Crime victims have also been followed from the arrival hall of OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg and then robbed once they reach their home or hotel.

Theft can be bold and in broad daylight.  Travelers and U.S. diplomats report having cell phones stolen from their hands, as well as purses or wallets taken off counters while paying for goods at stores.  Car theft and hijacking continues to plague the country, particularly in large cities.  Travelers should choose secure parking options and double check locked doors before leaving a parked car.

Throughout South Africa, U.S. citizens should:

• Avoid walking alone especially after dark.
• Avoid visiting informal settlement areas unless you are with someone familiar with the area. Please note that U.S. mission staff are required to use fully armored vehicles when visiting many townships in and around the Cape Town area and visiting hours are restricted to between 0700-1500 hours.
• Do not display cash and valuables.
• Avoid cash-in-transit vehicles both on the road, as well as ATMs when being refilled.  Armed criminal gangs frequently target cash-in-transit vehicles while stopped at customer sites, but also ambush cash-in-transit vehicles while on the road.  Such violent armed attacks involve automatic weapons, explosives, and gangs of criminals.  Criminals frequently use remote jamming and signal interceptors with success.
• Drive with doors locked and windows closed.
• Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location.
• Avoid driving during periods of load shedding (rolling blackouts) as the roads can become extremely congested due to a lack of traffic signals. These traffic jams and slow-moving traffic can provide opportunities for smash and grab robberies.

Student Groups:  There have been instances of student groups being robbed while conducting outreach and service visits in townships. On these occasions, student groups coordinated with officials to conduct service visits and upon arrival were held and then robbed by armed perpetrators.

Demonstrations occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable, avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.
• Past demonstrations have turned violent.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.

Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in South Africa. Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters. Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help. Common scams include:

• Romance/Online dating
• Money transfers
• Lucrative sales
• Gold purchase
• Contracts with promises of large commissions
• Grandparent/Relative targeting
• Free Trip/Luggage
• Inheritance notices
• Work permits/job offers
• Bank overpayments

Travelers need not surrender their credit card to any vendor.  They will bring a credit card machine to customers.

ATM and Credit Card skimming is common and visitors should be cautious about using ATMs outside of banks and reputable hotels.  Skimmers have also been found on machines used to pay parking tickets at shopping malls and office buildings.  Paying parking fees with cash avoids this risk.

See the FBI pages for information.

Victims of Crime:

U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault or domestic violence should report crimes to the local police at 10111. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

The U.S. Consulates General in South Africa can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Terrorism Threat:  Extremists with ties to international terrorist organizations, such as al-Qai’ida, al-Shabaab, and ISIS, historically have used South Africa as a logistical hub to conduct recruitment and financial facilitation. There has been increased activity by ISIS sympathizers and supporters locally, including the placement of incendiary devices and kidnapping for ransom operations. South African authorities have periodically arrested individuals and charged them with terrorism related crimes. The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has publicly designated ISIS members operating in South Africa who have provided technical, financial, or material support to the terrorist group.  Check the  Mission’s website  to review Alerts to U.S. citizens, and  register  with the U.S. Mission to South Africa to receive new Alerts by email during your travels.

Game parks and outdoor safety:  Visitors have been injured and killed by wild animals in South Africa. It is dangerous to leave your vehicle in game parks outside of designated areas. Observe all park regulations and follow the instructions of guides. Be mindful of sharks when swimming. Rip tides are common and very dangerous. Do not swim alone in isolated areas or dive into unfamiliar waters.

Hikers must be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions and ensure they have proper clothing and supplies. Many areas, especially in the Western Cape province, experience brush fires during the summer months (December-February). These fires can burn for several days. Monitor local media and follow fire crew instructions regarding road closures and evacuations.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules regarding best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas and activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to arrive on the scene and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Infrastructure: Currently, periodic scheduled blackouts (known locally as “Load Shedding”) are common throughout the country.  These controlled rolling blackouts are employed to safeguard the country’s electrical grid and has resulted in nationwide outages of up to six hours or more without power daily. These electricity outages negatively impact businesses which do not possess an alternative power supply (e.g., diesel generators) including hotels. Additionally, during periods of load shedding, traffic lights will cease functioning creating traffic jams which provide opportunities for smash and grab crime. Load shedding can also impact water availability and safety, cell phone signal, fuel pumps (and therefore fuel availability), and residential security features especially in rural areas.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be deported, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

Furthermore, some crimes are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice website .

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. Consulate in South Africa immediately . See our  webpage  for further information.

Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  
• Human Rights Report  
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in South Africa. [ER1]

See   our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page and section 6 of our Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities:  South Africa law mandates access to buildings for persons with disabilities, but these laws are rarely enforced. Some tourist attractions, and restaurants near tourist attractions, are equipped with ramps and other options to facilitate access. Conditions vary significantly across the country.

The law in South Africa prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual and mental disabilities, and the law is enforced unevenly. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is as prevalent as in the United States. Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Special Circumstances:  Parts of South Africa may face drought conditions, water scarcity, and rainfall patterns that may be erratic. Water supplies in some areas may be affected. Water-use restrictions may be in place in the affected municipalities.

For emergency services in South Africa, dial  10111 .

Ambulance services are

• not widely available and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards;
• not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas except in major cities and may;   
• not be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.
• We do not pay medical bills.  U.S. Medicare does not cover you overseas. Healthcare providers, including ambulances require payment in cash before services are performed.

Private medical facilities are good in urban areas and in the vicinity of game parks but limited elsewhere. Private medical facilities require a deposit before admitting patients. Pharmacies are well-stocked, but you should carry an adequate supply of prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. HIV and AIDS is a major public health concern.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

If your health insurance plan does not provide coverage overseas, we strongly recommend  supplemental medical insurance and medical evacuation plans .

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the  Embassy of South Africa  to ensure the medication is legal in South Africa. Always, carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Yellow Fever
• Leptospirosis
• Schistosomiasis
• African Tick-bite Fever
• Chikungunya
• Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
• Rift River Valley
• Avian/Bird Flu
• Tuberculosis (TB)

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Air Quality:  Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of  doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Health facilities in general:

• Adequate health facilities are available in urban areas but health care in rural areas may be below U.S. standards.
• Public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies.
• Hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of adequate insurance before admitting a patient.
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions

Pharmaceuticals:

• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas.  Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls.  Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients.  Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States.  Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States.  Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States.  Please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration websites for more information.

Water Quality

• In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

General Health Language

• Use the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended mosquito repellents and sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets.  Chemoprophylaxis is recommended for all travelers even for short stays.
• HIV/AIDS is prevalent in South Africa and by some estimates as many as 1 in 7 South African residents are infected. Infection rates are even higher (1 in 5) among younger residents.
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in South Africa.  

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Road conditions are generally good in South Africa, but the road traffic death rate is nearly three times higher in South Africa than in the United States. The high incidence of road traffic mortality is due to a combination of poor driving, limited enforcement of traffic laws, road rage, aggressive driving, distracted driving, and driving under the influence of alcohol. Use extreme caution driving at night. U.S. government employees are discouraged from driving after dark outside of major metropolitan areas, except for highway travel between Pretoria and Johannesburg. Traffic lights are frequently out of order.

Traffic Laws: Traffic in South Africa moves on the left, and the steering wheel is on the right-hand side of the car. Under South African law, all occupants of motor vehicles equipped with seatbelts are required to wear them while the vehicle is in operation. Texting or talking on a cell phone without a hands-free unit while driving is illegal. Treat all intersections with malfunctioning traffic lights as a four-way stop.

South African law does not require an international driver’s license. A valid driver’s license from any U.S. state or territory that has the signature and photo of the driver is valid to drive in South Africa for stays of less than six months.

Please refer to the Road Safety page  for more information. Also, visit the websites of South African Tourism and the South African National Roads Agency for more information regarding local transportation trends and laws.

Public Transportation:

Taxis: The use of individual metered taxis dispatched from established taxi companies, hotel taxis, and tour buses is recommended. U.S. government personnel are not allowed to use minibus taxis or hail taxis on the street or use a taxi stand. Minibus taxi drivers are often unlicensed and drive erratically.

Transportation Network Companies: Transportation Network Companies (TNCs), such as Uber, also operate in South Africa. U.S. government personnel may only use TNCs with a dispatch application that provides vehicle description, license plate number, and the driver’s name, picture, user rating, and the ability to share trip information. The user should verify the information provided by the company, such as the vehicle make/model, license plate number, and driver’s name/picture, prior to entering the vehicle. TNCs should not be used to travel outside major metropolitan areas. Pick up and drop off should not be done near a traditional taxi stand due to tensions between rideshare and taxi drivers that have resulted in altercations.

Rail Service: The long-distance rail service, Shosholoza Meyl; the rapid rail Gautrain in Gauteng Province; and luxury rail services, such as Shosholoza Meyl Premier Classe, Blue Train, and Rovos Rail are generally safe and reliable, though mechanical problems and criminal incidents do sometimes occur. U.S. government personnel are not allowed to use the Metrorail commuter rail service because of safety and crime concerns. There have been recent reports of fires being set on Metrorail train cars.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization aviation safety standards for oversight of South Africa’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to South Africa should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts on the Maritime Administration website. Information may also be posted to the websites of the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Geospace Intelligence Agency (select “broadcast warnings”).

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in South Africa . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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The 6 Best Ways to Get to South Africa on Points And Miles

South Africa is a popular tourist destination that offers a little bit of everything , from safaris to city life to heart-stopping adventures. It also happens to be one of TPG's all time favorite vacation spots , and that says a lot. Oh, and did I mention they have penguins there? While Cape Town is currently experiencing a serious water shortage , the city is still very much open for business. So today, let's talk about the best ways to fly to South Africa using points and miles.

Airlines That Fly to South Africa

South Africa is a large country, but today we'll just be focusing on the two main airports, Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT). As you can see from this list, Johannesburg gets many more international flights than Cape Town, and many airlines that do fly to Cape Town only do so a few times a week. Here are the major airlines currently flying to South Africa:

• Ethiopian Airlines flies from Addis Ababa (ADD) to both Johannesburg and Cape Town
• Lufthansa flies from Frankfurt (FRA) to Johannesburg and Cape Town, and from Munich (MUC) to Cape Town
• Swiss flies from Zurich (ZRH) to Johannesburg and Cape Town via its subsidiary Edelweiss Air
• Turkish flies from Istanbul (IST) to Johannesburg and Cape Town
• British Airways flies from London (LHR) to Johannesburg and Cape Town
• Cathay Pacific flies from Hong Kong (HKG) to Johannesburg and will be launching flights to Cape Town in November
• Iberia flies from Madrid (MAD) to Johannesburg
• Qatar flies from Doha (DOH) to Johannesburg and Cape Town
• Air France flies from Paris (CDG) to Johannesburg and Cape Town
• Delta flies from Atlanta (ATL) to Johannesburg
• KLM flies from Amsterdam (AMS) to Johannesburg and Cape Town
• Emirates flies from Dubai (DXB) to Johannesburg and Cape Town
• Etihad flies from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Johannesburg
• Condor flies from Frankfurt (FRA) to Cape Town

Also, local flag carrier South African Airways flies from Johannesburg to New York (JFK), as well as to Washington DC (IAD), although the DC flight includes a refueling stop in Senegal (DSS).

Noticeably absent from this list is almost every Asian airline. While several of them do fly to South Africa, award routing rules prohibit US fliers from routing the wrong way around the world (i.e.: through Asia) on their way to Africa. There's one exception which I'll discuss more below, which is arguably the single best value redemption you can make.

Mileage Table

Now that we've identified the airlines flying to South Africa, let's look at the various frequent flyer programs you can use to book them. Note that I haven't included every option here, only those that are most relevant to US-based fliers.

That's a lot of options to consider, but which are the best? While a great deal will depend on award availability and the type of miles you have access to, here are six top choices you should explore first.

1. Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Because Alaska Airlines isn't part of a major alliance, the airline instead has individual partnerships with different airlines. This means that the cost of an award ticket will vary heavily depending on which partner you fly. Here are the one-way prices for flights to South Africa on Alaska partners:

(Note the two separate award charts for flights on Condor and make sure you pay attention to the one for South Africa.)

Let's take these partners one at a time and discuss the pros and cons of each. While British Airways is cheap from a mileage perspective, you'll still have to pay some pretty egregious carrier surcharges for flights through London . These can easily add up to $1,000 round-trip, and are worth avoiding if at all possible.

As always, one of the best possible uses of Alaska miles is to fly Cathay Pacific's incredible first class. I'd happily fly the wrong way around the world to enjoy the spacious six seat first class cabin aboard its 777-300ERs. Unfortunately, the second leg of your flight might not be as comfortable. The 13-hour flight from Hong Kong (HKG) to Johannesburg is on a 777 without a first class cabin, but Cathay's 1-2-1 reverse herringbone business class is comfortable enough for the long haul.

Cathay Pacific will also be launching flights to Cape Town beginning in November 2018. The flight will be operated by an A350 that features the same business class seats as the 777, but with all the modern technologies the A350 offers such as lower cabin pressurization, better temperature control and mood lighting to help fight jet lag.

Condor is an interesting option, and one of Alaska's most recent partners . Never heard of this German low-cost carrier before? You're certainly not alone. Condor currently flies to 16 North American airports — 10 in the US — and offer a unique slew of international connections for smaller airports that might not have as many options. Expect tight seats and ancillary fees, but for 80,000 miles round-trip in economy, it very well might be worth it.

Emirates redemptions through Alaska can represent a decent value in economy, but not in premium cabins anymore . Multiple daily frequencies between Dubai (DXB) and both Johannesburg and Cape Town should give you plenty of options to choose from.

2. American AAdvantage

Oneworld member American Airlines offers reasonable award prices to South Africa, although you'll want to pick your partner airline carefully. Below are the one-way award costs:

• Economy: 40,000
• Business: 75,000
• First: 120,000

There are three Oneworld partners you can fly to South Africa: British Airways, Iberia and Qatar. British Airways is the only airline to offer a true first class on this route, but again, you'll pay prohibitively expensive carrier surcharges. Iberia can be a great alternate option — while it doesn't serve as many US destinations and only flies to Johannesburg (not Cape Town), it's a reasonably priced way to avoid British Airways surcharges.

But your best bet is to fly with Qatar, especially if you're traveling in business class. Qatar currently flies the world's best business class — its signature Qsuite to four US airports: New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Washington DC (IAD) and Houston (IAH). You'll want to make sure to double check that your flight features Qsuites though, as there may be last minute equipment swaps while Qatar upgrades its fleet.

Although Etihad isn't a member of Oneworld, you can also redeem your AA miles for travel with the Abu Dhabi-based carrier. A comfortable economy cabin is a huge plus, but the premium cabin experience can vary heavily depending on what plane you fly. Flights out of New York (JFK) will be served by the flagship A380, while Chicago gets a 777 that's a decade or so past its prime.

3. United Airlines MileagePlus

United's access to Star Alliance partner awards makes it an ideal choice for flights to South Africa. Here are the costs for one-way partner award tickets:

• Business: 80,000
• First: 130,000

Longer flights like those to Africa are the ideal time to splurge for a premium cabin, and there aren't many better premium cabins than Lufthansa first class . Lufthansa only releases first class award space to partners 15 days before departure, but within that time frame it's relatively easy to find.

Not only will you have eight hours to kick back in the private Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt, but you'll enjoy nearly 20 hours of flying time on the Queen of the Skies, the 747-8. Saver economy space can be hard to come by on these routes, and it might be worth upgrading to business or first class to avoid a 2-stop routing.

You can also opt for a direct flight out of New York (JFK) on South African Airways. While convenience is a pretty serious advantage here, temper your expectations for the in-flight experience. The SAA fleet is old and outdated, and not nearly as private or luxurious as most airlines offer these days in international business class.

4. Air Canada (Aeroplan)

Air Canada's independent loyalty program Aeroplan will offer you a similar selection of Star Alliance awards as United. While the mileage cost might be cheaper with Aeroplan, you have to be careful, as some airlines will pass on very expensive carrier surcharges. Here are the one-way award costs:

• Economy: 50,000
• Premium economy: 65,000
• First: 105,000

While this Lufthansa first class voyage looks like a steal at 105,000 miles — especially compared to its $13,000 cash price — the $702 CAD (~$532 USD) in taxes, fees and surcharges are a lot to stomach.

You might be better off with a more creative routing, like this Avianca/South African Airways itinerary through Brazil. $7.40 CAD (~$5.66 USD) in taxes sounds much better to me.

Best of all, SAA doesn't have carrier surcharges for Aeroplan award tickets, so if you can find availability on the nonstop flight out of JFK, it'll only cost you 50,000 miles and ~$5 in taxes in economy.

5. Korean Air SkyPass

Korean Air SkyPass, which is a 1:1 transfer partner of Chase Ultimate Rewards , is one of the most overlooked loyalty programs in my opinion. You do have to abide by some fairly restrictive family rules when it comes to award redemptions , but one-way award tickets to South Africa with SkyPass miles can be booked at the following rates:

• Economy: 40,000 miles
• Business: 60,000 miles

There are three main SkyTeam partners you can pick from for these flights: Delta, Air France and KLM. Finding saver award space on Delta is like finding a unicorn (more on that below), so I'd concentrate your efforts on Air France and KLM, which generally release a decent amount of saver-level space in both economy and business class. As a collector, my personal preference would be for KLM. The airline gives out one of the most unique business class amenities of all time: a gin-filled "house," modeled off real buildings in Amsterdam.

6. Delta SkyMiles

Since Delta removed its award chart and switched to purely variable award pricing, it's hard to talk about the airline generally. Instead, the best we can do is compare a few different dates to try and get the big picture. Spoiler alert: it's not pretty. The lowest fare I've found for one way economy is.... 140,000 miles, with a stop in Amsterdam on KLM. Most days seem to be 185,000, which is insulting to ask for a one-way economy flight.

Business class gets even more insulting, with the lowest fare I'm seeing for flights from Atlanta (ATL) to Johannesburg clocking in at 465,000 miles one way.

There's not much more to be said here. You're best off avoiding Delta unless you literally have no other option.

The Missing Option: ANA Mileage Club

ANA Mileage Club is perhaps the most overlooked Star Alliance loyalty program . Mileage Club miles are easy to earn, thanks to being a 1:1 transfer partner of both SPG and Amex Membership Rewards, and flights to South Africa are incredibly cheap. Here are the round trip award costs, which in some cases are cheaper than what other airlines charge for a one-way ticket.

• Economy: 65,000
• Business: 104,000
• First: 195,000

So why doesn't ANA earn a full spot on this list? For starters, the program shows a much more limited selection of Star Alliance award space than United and Aeroplan do. Second, and more importantly, ANA passes on hefty carrier surcharges for flights on South African Airways.

For instance, while this nonstop business class ticket from New York (JFK) to Johannesburg only costs 104,000 miles round-trip , the $600+ in taxes and surcharges can ruin the value for many people. Still, this option is definitely worth considering if you're looking to spend a little extra cash to save some miles.

Bottom Line

There are certainly good options for getting to South Africa on points and miles, though not necessarily as many as you might expect. While flights to Cape Town aren't impossible to find, Johannesburg is the easier city to fly into by far. A clear cut strategy for earning and redeeming your points will go a long way toward helping your trip go smoothly.

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Cape Town flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Cape Town (HLA - CPT) R1 774+
• Flight Johannesburg - Cape Town (JNB - CPT) R1 793+
• Flight Port Elizabeth - Cape Town (PLZ - CPT) R1 849+
• Flight Durban - Cape Town (DUR - CPT) R2 073+
• Flight Bloemfontein - Cape Town (BFN - CPT) R2 129+
• Flight East London - Cape Town (ELS - CPT) R2 390+
• Flight Sun City Resort - Cape Town (NTY - CPT) R3 809+
• Flight Nelspruit - Cape Town (MQP - CPT) R3 977+
• Flight Skukuza - Cape Town (SZK - CPT) R6 815+
• Flight Hoedspruit - Cape Town (HDS - CPT) R7 562+

Durban flights

Amsterdam flights.

• Flight Johannesburg - Amsterdam (JNB - AMS) R11 689+
• Flight Durban - Amsterdam (DUR - AMS) R12 211+
• Flight Cape Town - Amsterdam (CPT - AMS) R13 108+
• Flight Johannesburg - Amsterdam (HLA - AMS) R23 881+

Rome flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Rome (JNB - FCO) R8 794+
• Flight Durban - Rome (DUR - FCO) R10 158+
• Flight Cape Town - Rome (CPT - FCO) R11 353+
• Flight Hoedspruit - Rome (HDS - FCO) R18 149+
• Flight Johannesburg - Rome (HLA - FCO) R27 504+

Athens flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Athens (JNB - ATH) R9 504+
• Flight Cape Town - Athens (CPT - ATH) R12 697+
• Flight Durban - Athens (DUR - ATH) R15 404+

Madagascar flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Antananarivo (JNB - TNR) R10 027+
• Flight Johannesburg - Nosy Be (JNB - NOS) R11 353+
• Flight Cape Town - Antananarivo (CPT - TNR) R14 359+
• Flight Hoedspruit - Antananarivo (HDS - TNR) R16 935+
• Flight Johannesburg - Antananarivo (HLA - TNR) R29 744+

Italy flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Milan (JNB - MXP) R8 514+
• Flight Johannesburg - Venice (JNB - VCE) R8 701+
• Flight Johannesburg - Milan (JNB - LIN) R10 326+
• Flight Cape Town - Milan (CPT - MXP) R10 736+
• Flight Cape Town - Venice (CPT - VCE) R10 811+

Port Elizabeth flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth (JNB - PLZ) R1 475+
• Flight Cape Town - Port Elizabeth (CPT - PLZ) R1 867+
• Flight Durban - Port Elizabeth (DUR - PLZ) R2 353+
• Flight Johannesburg - Port Elizabeth (HLA - PLZ) R4 351+
• Flight Pietermaritzburg - Port Elizabeth (PZB - PLZ) R4 575+
• Flight Nelspruit - Port Elizabeth (MQP - PLZ) R5 023+
• Flight Hoedspruit - Port Elizabeth (HDS - PLZ) R7 263+

Bloemfontein flights

• Flight Cape Town - Bloemfontein (CPT - BFN) R2 073+
• Flight Johannesburg - Bloemfontein (JNB - BFN) R2 110+
• Flight Johannesburg - Bloemfontein (HLA - BFN) R5 714+

London flights

• Flight Johannesburg - London (JNB - LGW) R8 085+
• Flight Johannesburg - London (JNB - LHR) R8 122+
• Flight Johannesburg - London (JNB - LCY) R8 776+
• Flight Cape Town - London (CPT - LGW) R9 056+
• Flight Cape Town - London (CPT - LHR) R10 102+
• Flight Cape Town - London (CPT - LCY) R10 755+
• Flight Port Elizabeth - London (PLZ - LHR) R11 651+
• Flight Port Elizabeth - London (PLZ - LGW) R12 361+
• Flight Durban - London (DUR - LGW) R12 734+

Lisbon flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Lisbon (JNB - LIS) R9 019+
• Flight Cape Town - Lisbon (CPT - LIS) R11 521+
• Flight Durban - Lisbon (DUR - LIS) R14 882+
• Flight Port Elizabeth - Lisbon (PLZ - LIS) R15 330+

Paris flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Paris (JNB - CDG) R10 008+
• Flight Cape Town - Paris (CPT - CDG) R10 158+
• Flight Durban - Paris (DUR - CDG) R11 875+
• Flight Johannesburg - Paris (JNB - ORY) R13 257+
• Flight Johannesburg - Paris (HLA - CDG) R15 330+
• Flight Cape Town - Paris (CPT - ORY) R19 363+
• Flight Port Elizabeth - Paris (PLZ - CDG) R20 875+

Barcelona flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Barcelona (JNB - BCN) R8 533+
• Flight Cape Town - Barcelona (CPT - BCN) R11 166+
• Flight Durban - Barcelona (DUR - BCN) R11 614+
• Flight Port Elizabeth - Barcelona (PLZ - BCN) R17 197+

Toronto flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Toronto (JNB - YTZ) R14 882+
• Flight Cape Town - Toronto (CPT - YYZ) R15 180+
• Flight Johannesburg - Toronto (JNB - YYZ) R16 581+
• Flight Durban - Toronto (DUR - YYZ) R17 234+
• Flight Johannesburg - Toronto (HLA - YYZ) R42 497+
• Flight Cape Town - Hamilton (CPT - YHM) R46 829+

South Africa flights

• Flight Durban - Johannesburg (DUR - JNB) R859+
• Flight Johannesburg - Durban (JNB - DUR) R1 083+
• Flight Johannesburg - Durban (HLA - DUR) R1 158+
• Flight Durban - Johannesburg (DUR - HLA) R1 344+
• Flight Johannesburg - Sun City Resort (JNB - NTY) R1 494+
• Flight Johannesburg - George (JNB - GRJ) R1 606+

Ukraine flights

• Flight Cape Town - Kyiv (CPT - KBP) R17 365+
• Flight Johannesburg - Zaporozhye (JNB - OZH) R26 645+
• Flight Johannesburg - Kyiv (JNB - KBP) R50 582+

East London flights

• Flight Johannesburg - East London (JNB - ELS) R1 456+
• Flight Cape Town - East London (CPT - ELS) R1 961+
• Flight Durban - East London (DUR - ELS) R2 091+
• Flight Johannesburg - East London (HLA - ELS) R5 191+

Nelspruit flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Nelspruit (JNB - MQP) R2 819+
• Flight Durban - Nelspruit (DUR - MQP) R3 641+
• Flight Cape Town - Nelspruit (CPT - MQP) R3 772+
• Flight Port Elizabeth - Nelspruit (PLZ - MQP) R6 591+
• Flight Johannesburg - Nelspruit (HLA - MQP) R7 880+

Johannesburg flights

• Flight East London - Johannesburg (ELS - JNB) R1 494+
• Flight Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg (PLZ - JNB) R1 606+
• Flight Cape Town - Johannesburg (CPT - JNB) R1 736+
• Flight George - Johannesburg (GRJ - JNB) R1 774+
• Flight Bloemfontein - Johannesburg (BFN - JNB) R1 793+
• Flight Pietermaritzburg - Johannesburg (PZB - JNB) R2 857+

New York flights

• Flight Johannesburg - New York (JNB - JFK) R14 004+
• Flight Johannesburg - Newark (JNB - EWR) R14 097+
• Flight Cape Town - New York (CPT - JFK) R15 684+
• Flight Cape Town - Newark (CPT - EWR) R17 010+
• Flight Johannesburg - New York (JNB - LGA) R17 141+
• Flight Durban - Newark (DUR - EWR) R17 496+
• Flight Durban - New York (DUR - JFK) R17 645+
• Flight Sun City Resort - New York (NTY - JFK) R17 720+
• Flight Cape Town - New York (CPT - LGA) R19 606+
• Flight Pietermaritzburg - New York (PZB - JFK) R20 763+
• Flight Pietermaritzburg - Newark (PZB - EWR) R28 792+

Port Louis flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Port Louis (JNB - MRU) R6 610+
• Flight Cape Town - Port Louis (CPT - MRU) R9 579+
• Flight Durban - Port Louis (DUR - MRU) R10 008+
• Flight Sun City Resort - Port Louis (NTY - MRU) R12 473+
• Flight Johannesburg - Port Louis (HLA - MRU) R14 601+
• Flight Pietermaritzburg - Port Louis (PZB - MRU) R29 427+
• Flight Hoedspruit - Port Louis (HDS - MRU) R36 858+

Auckland flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Auckland (JNB - AKL) R20 147+
• Flight Cape Town - Auckland (CPT - AKL) R20 464+
• Flight Durban - Auckland (DUR - AKL) R22 668+

Frankfurt am Main flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Frankfurt am Main (JNB - FRA) R10 139+
• Flight Cape Town - Frankfurt am Main (CPT - FRA) R12 267+
• Flight Durban - Frankfurt am Main (DUR - FRA) R12 828+
• Flight Sun City Resort - Frankfurt am Main (NTY - FRA) R16 898+
• Flight Johannesburg - Frankfurt am Main (HLA - FRA) R20 614+

Maldives flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Malé (JNB - MLE) R9 840+
• Flight Cape Town - Malé (CPT - MLE) R12 716+

Greece flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Corfu (JNB - CFU) R12 772+
• Flight Johannesburg - Mykonos (JNB - JMK) R13 481+
• Flight Johannesburg - Thessaloniki (JNB - SKG) R14 303+
• Flight Johannesburg - Thera (JNB - JTR) R18 205+

George flights

• Flight Cape Town - George (CPT - GRJ) R1 867+
• Flight Durban - George (DUR - GRJ) R3 716+
• Flight Port Elizabeth - George (PLZ - GRJ) R3 753+
• Flight Johannesburg - George (HLA - GRJ) R5 097+

Kimberley flights

• Flight Johannesburg - Kimberley (HLA - KIM) R7 917+

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest day of the week to book a flight.

The best day to book your flight depends on a number of factors, but there are general trends that you can follow to increase your chances of cheaper plane tickets. Based on an analysis of KAYAK data for all flights departing from inside South Africa over the last 12 months, the cheapest day to fly for domestic flights is Sunday. For international flights, Monday had the cheapest tickets on average.

When is the best time to buy plane tickets - Last minute or in advance?

Last minute flight deals are definitely up for grabs, but when exactly to purchase your plane tickets will depend on where you’re travelling to and from. Based on all data for flight searches made on KAYAK over the last 12 months, prices for domestic flights remained below the average price up to 1 week before departure. For international flights, deals could still be had up to 1 week prior to the departure date, with prices remaining below average. If you’re flexible, KAYAK brings you both advance and last minute one-way and round-trip flight deals.

How does KAYAK find such low flight prices?

KAYAK processes over 2 billion flight queries annually and displays results from hundreds of airlines and third party sites, allowing it to find a variety of flight prices and options. It also displays results from 2M+ properties along with car hire, holiday packages, activities and millions of verified reviews so users can see as many available travel options as possible.

How can Hacker Fares save me money?

Hacker Fares allow you to combine one-way tickets on different airlines when it can save you money over a traditional return ticket.

How does KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK's flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

Which month of the year are flight prices lowest?

It’s well established that flights in the low season are generally cheaper than ticket prices during the high season. That means that knowing which month to find the lowest priced plane tickets will depend heavily on seasonality and your destination. While avoiding peak travel times can help you keep costs down, our data shows that the month with the lowest priced plane tickets for domestic flights based on all searches made on KAYAK in the last 12 months was July, while the most expensive was December. If you’re booking an international flight, then February is the cheapest month to fly and December the most expensive.

Can flying international flights with a layover save money on airfare?

For many long-haul international flights, flying direct is not possible and you will have to fly with stopover. Some routes will offer both and you could consider flying with a stopover for a number of reasons. Firstly, breaking up what would otherwise be a long-haul flight, taking a rest and then completing the journey might make the flight more manageable. Secondly, prices can also be lower than direct flights, so while it might take longer for you to reach your destination, you could save money. We’ve looked at prices over the last 12 months for the 100 most popular international destinations for KAYAK users and on average, prices for non-stop flights were cheaper than flights with a layover.

How do I find the best flight deals on KAYAK?

A simple flight search at https://www.za.kayak.com/flights scans for prices on hundreds of travel sites in seconds. We gather flight deals from across the web and put them in one place. Then on the search results page you can use various filters to compare options for the same flight and easily choose the best flight deal from all of the deals coming straight from the travel sites to your screen, with no extra fee from KAYAK.

Does KAYAK query more flight providers than competitors?

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What is KAYAK's "flexible dates" feature and why should I care?

Sometimes travel dates aren't set in stone. If your preferred travel dates have some wiggle room, flexible dates will show you flights up to 3 days before/after your preferred dates. That way, you can see if leaving a day or two earlier will find you a better deal. You can also select the flexible 'weekend' or 'month' search options to widen your search range and find the cheapest price that works for you.

Airlinerpro » Blog » Best Airline To Fly To South Africa

Best Airline To Fly To South Africa

Indulge in the epitome of travel excellence as you plan your voyage to South Africa. Selecting the best airline to fly to South Africa is paramount, shaping your adventure right from the moment you step on board. Imagine a flight experience that transcends the ordinary, where each detail is meticulously designed to enhance your journey. From the charming greetings to the seamless service, your flight becomes an integral part of your journey.

Envision flying with a carrier that prioritizes your comfort, ensuring you arrive at your destination relaxed & rejuvenated. Ready to explore the vibrant landscapes and captivating cultures of South Africa. Beyond transportation, the airlines promise an immersive prelude to your adventures.

Setting the stage for an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most enchanting destinations. Welcome aboard a flight that not only takes you to the location but also enriches your entire travel narrative. It makes your journey as extraordinary as the remarkable country you’re about to explore.

Table of Contents

Find Out The Best Airline To Fly To South Africa

Planning your South African adventure? Your choice of airline matters. Picture a flight where comfort meets efficiency, where exceptional service is a norm, ensuring your journey to South Africa begins on a high note. We bring you the best airline experience, guaranteeing a smooth ride and a warm welcome. Explore the place with confidence, knowing your voyage is in capable hands from takeoff to landing. Your adventure awaits, and the best airlines are there to make it memorable.

Emirates Airlines

This best airline to fly to South Africa is renowned for its world-class service. It is a premier choice when flying to South Africa.

• Experience unparalleled luxury with spacious cabins, gourmet cuisine, & award-winning entertainment systems.
• With a global reputation for excellence, it ensures your journey is not just a flight but a seamless travel experience. 
• Call the Emirates Airlines Cape Town office in South Africa for any assistance or information.
• Whether you’re headed to Johannesburg, Cape Town, or Durban. This airline offers a superior flying experience, making your trip to South Africa truly unforgettable.

Qatar Airways

It stands as a beacon of elegance and comfort, making it the best airline to fly to South Africa.

• From top-notch in-flight amenities to exquisite dining options, it pampers travelers with unparalleled luxury.
• Enjoy seamless connectivity, world-class service, and a fleet of modern aircraft that ensure your journey is smooth & enjoyable.
• If you are residing nearby and need some assistance personally or some documents work done, you can visit Qatar Airways Cape Town office in South Africa .
• With convenient flights to major South African cities, this airline promises a delightful travel experience.

South African Airways

As the national carrier of South Africa, SAA, the best airline to fly to South Africa offers a unique sense of homecoming as you travel to the country.

• It has warm hospitality, friendly staff, & a rich South African cultural experience onboard.
• It creates an atmosphere that mirrors the country’s vibrant spirit.
• This airline handles enquiries like booking, visa information, missing luggage at the South African Airways Cape Town office in South Africa .
• Expect comfortable seating, delectable cuisine, and a variety of entertainment options.
• Flying with SAA not only guarantees a pleasant journey but also a cultural immersion before you even land in South Africa.

British Airways

This airline, with its legacy of excellence, offers a blend of timeless elegance and modern comfort for travelers venturing to South Africa making it best airline to fly to South Africa.

• Indulge in refined services, elegant cabins, and a range of entertainment choices, ensuring a relaxing & enjoyable flight. immediately contact the British Airways Cape Town office in South Africa .
• If you are facing issues like missing luggage.
• With regular flights to South Africa, British Airways provides convenient connections, making your travel experience stress-free and enjoyable.

This best airline to fly to South Africa known for its German precision & efficiency, offers a reliable & comfortable option for your journey to South Africa.

• Experience top-notch service, comfortable seating, & a variety of amenities that cater to your needs.
• Its commitment to quality ensures a smooth flight, allowing you to arrive in South Africa refreshed & ready to explore.
• It’s always a best idea to call the Lufthansa South Africa reservation office directly for any booking related assistance.
• Discover the beauty of South Africa with Lufthansa’s seamless travel experience. It combines the best of German engineering and warm hospitality.

This airline is synonymous with style & sophistication & offers a delightful way to discover the enchanting beauty of South Africa. The reason for it to be the best airline to fly to South Africa is mentioned below:

• Enjoy a blend of French elegance and African warmth onboard, with attentive service, delectable cuisine, & a selection of fine wines.
• You can also email the Air France Cape Town office in South Africa if you are instructed to send the documents to them.
• Its extensive network ensures convenient flights to South African destinations.
• It provides a gateway to unforgettable experiences and breathtaking landscapes.

Turkish Airlines

This best airline to fly to South Africa is renowned for its exceptional hospitality, connecting the world to South Africa seamlessly.

• Experience the renowned Turkish warmth and professionalism, combined with modern amenities and exquisite dining options.
• Passengers are advised to contact the Turkish Airlines Cape Town office in South Africa directly if required informational guidance.
• With a wide range of destinations in South Africa, Turkish Airlines ensures you reach your preferred location comfortably and in style. It makes your journey as enjoyable as the destination itself.

Frequently Asked Questions – Best Airlines To Fly To South Africa

Explore our comprehensive FAQ section to find all the answers you need about choosing the best airline to fly to South Africa. Discover details about top airlines, flight experiences, destinations, and more, ensuring a smooth and informed travel decision.

It offers a range of amenities including spacious and comfortable seating, gourmet meals, entertainment systems, Wi-Fi services, attentive cabin crew, and luxurious lounges, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable flight.

The best airline offers exceptional service, comfort, reliability, and a seamless travel experience. It ensures a memorable journey with top-notch amenities and attentive staff.

It’s recommended to book your flight several months in advance to secure the best fares and seat availability, especially during peak travel seasons. Early booking also allows you to choose your preferred seats and amenities.

It accommodates special requests such as dietary restrictions, medical assistance, and other personalized services. It’s advisable to inform the airline about your specific needs during the booking process or well in advance of your travel date.

Most leading airlines offer frequent flyer programs that allow you to earn miles for your travel. These miles can be redeemed for future flights, upgrades, hotel stays, and other travel-related benefits, enhancing your overall travel experience.

Choosing the best airline ensures a comfortable and pleasant journey with top-notch services, spacious seating, excellent in-flight entertainment, and on-time arrivals, enhancing your overall travel experience.

It prioritize passenger safety by adhering to strict safety protocols, regular aircraft maintenance, well-trained crew members, and compliance with international aviation standards. Additionally, they implement enhanced cleaning procedures to maintain a hygienic environment onboard, ensuring a safe and secure journey for all passengers.

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Israel-Gaza latest: Israel withdraws almost all ground troops from southern Gaza; Iran issues threat to Israeli embassies

Today marks six months since the 7 October attacks by Hamas that left more than 1,100 Israelis dead and prompted Israel's ongoing military operation in Gaza, which has killed more than 33,000 people. We'll be bringing you updates on this throughout the day.

Sunday 7 April 2024 13:18, UK

• Israel-Hamas war

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• Israeli military withdraws almost all ground troops from southern Gaza
• Today marks six months since the 7 October attacks
• Iranian official says Israeli embassies are no longer safe
• Israel 'absolutely' committed to ground invasion of Rafah
• Hostage's body recovered by Israeli military
• Podcast: Should the UK stop selling arms to Israel?
• Live reporting by Josephine Franks

The withdrawal of Israeli forces is a significant moment in this war, but it might be too early to assess how significant.

Officially, it is to give troops time to recuperate after months of heavy fighting, although that doesn't explain why they haven't just been replaced.

Israeli officials are also saying operations in Khan Yunis are over and there is nothing left to do. That's not entirely true, as some rockets were fired out of the city towards Israel hours after the soldiers left.

Although some forces will remain, predominantly patrolling the East-West corridor that divides the strip, withdrawing from Khan Yunis concedes ground and surely makes a large-scale land invasion of Rafah unlikely, at least in the short term. 

It could be linked to a hostage deal. Senior level talks resumed in Cairo today, with Israel's intelligence chief David Barnea present. 

Hamas had been demanding a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, something that Israel repeatedly rejected - could this partial withdrawal be a workable compromise?

Militarily, it signifies the shift to a new phase, the third phase in this six-month war. I would expect to see Israeli forces now operating in a counter-terrorism fashion, launching raids based on specific intelligence, rather than having an all-out continuous presence in much of Gaza.

The withdrawal of forces should create space for more humanitarian aid to move about Gaza - something that is desperately needed.

But without a 'day after' plan, it will possibly also create a security vacuum, which, as we've seen in northern Gaza, can lead to the return of Hamas cells. 

If this truly is a new significant phase, the withdrawal of forces must be accompanied by meaningful progress in the political process otherwise any military gains Israel has made could be rapidly lost. 

Amal Al-Taweel and Rola Saqer both gave birth in Gaza hospitals on 7 October - the day of the Hamas attacks that triggered a war with Israel. 

The families' homes were leveled by airstrikes, and they've had no reliable shelter and scant access to medical treatment and baby supplies in the first six months of their children's lives. 

Ms Al-Taweel tells the Associated Press she was preparing a "beautiful life" for her son Ali - but now "we barely live day by day". 

After fleeing to Rafah, they stayed in a tent: "The worst experience of my life," Ms Al-Taweel says.

Ali is underweight. "I can’t even feed myself to properly feed my child," says Ms Al-Taweel. "The boy is losing more weight than he gains."

At al Aqsa, one of Gaza's last functioning hospitals, she was told her son needed surgery for a hernia - but with resources decimated they couldn't perform the operation. 

Ms Saqer's daughter Masa spent a portion of her young life living in a tent made from stitched-together flour bags, pooled with muddy water when it rains. 

Masa grew sick with a fever, her skin yellowish. Ms Saqer was too malnourished to produce milk, and sores broke out across her breasts. 

"Even when I endure the pain and try to breastfeed my daughter, what she drinks is blood, not milk."

Desperate, she sold aid packets from the UN to buy formula before deciding to travel from Rafah back to central Gaza in the hope of finding medical treatment for Masa.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel is ready to reach a deal to secure the release of 130 hostages held by Hamas. 

But he said Israel would not give in to the "extreme" demands of the Palestinian militant group. 

Talks aimed at securing a ceasefire and the release of hostages are due to take place in Cairo today. 

Mr Netanyahu said Hamas hoped international pressure would make Israel give in to its demands, but he stressed that would not happen. 

The UK would not export arms to Israel if doing so was found to be in breach of international law, Oliver Dowden has suggested.

Speaking on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg, the deputy prime minister said the UK would not "supply those arms" if it was unable to legally do so.

It comes amid mounting pressure on ministers to reveal what legal advice they have received on continuing arms exports to Israel.

This morning, Mr Dowden told Sky News the UK has "one of the toughest arms export control [regimes] in the world" and said there had been no change to the legal advice. 

Families of hostages taken by Hamas reflect on the day they went missing and the six months since, in a video shared by the Foreign Office. 

Iran's semi-official ISNA news agency has published a graphic showcasing what it said were nine different types of Iranian missiles capable of reaching Israel. 

Tensions appear to be ratcheting up between the two sides, and a short while ago an Iranian official warned that no Israeli embassy is safe. 

US officials said on Friday that they were on high alert about the possibility of a significant Iranian strike on targets inside Israel. 

Iran has blamed Israel for a deadly attack on the Iranian consulate Damascus, Syria, last week that killed at least seven officials. 

Among those killed was atop commander in Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards (IRGC). 

Satellite imagery reveals the extent of the destruction at Gaza's al Shifa hospital after six months of war. 

These images collected by Maxar show the hospital in June 2022, long before the war began, compared with earlier this week. 

Israel withdrew its troops from the hospital on Monday after a two-week raid, leaving behind destroyed buildings and dead bodies. 

A senior Iranian official says none of Israel's embassies are safe any more, after a suspected Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Twenty-eight Israeli embassies around the world temporarily closed on Friday due to fears of reprisal from Iran, the official said. 

Yahya Rahim Safavi, an adviser to the Supreme Leader, said the attack was a "violation of international laws".

Seven members of Iran's Revolutionary Guard were killed in the 1 April attack, with Iran vowing retaliation. 

With ceasefire talks due to begin today in Cairo, Sky News spoke to Israeli government spokesperson Avi Hyman.

Despite an announcement this morning Israel has withdrawn almost all ground troops from southern Gaza, Mr Hyman said Benjamin Netanyahu would "absolutely" go ahead with a ground invasion of Rafah.

"If we don't go ahead with Rafah, we lose the war."

He said Israel was "ploughing ahead" with its aims to destroy Hamas, bring the remaining hostages home and "ensure that Gaza doesn't pose a threat to us".

Asked what the point was in joining ceasefire talks when Israel was committed to a ground invasion, he said: "We will do our absolute utmost to ensure that we keep up maximum military pressure against Hamas and we keep all the diplomatic channels open.

"Because remember, we freed about half of the hostages using that formula."

Incoming Irish prime minister Simon Harris tells Sky News what has happened in Gaza is "utterly reprehensible". 

He tells our  senior Ireland correspondent David Blevins : "It's appalling and it's grotesque.

"And we are seeing children being maimed and killed - innocent children. It is disgusting. It is despicable. And it must stop."

He says Ireland "will always speak truth to power", and calls for "an immediate ceasefire".

"The attack on aid workers was particularly, in my view, callous and chilling, and we will continue to call that out.

"We also, as a country, stand ready to play our part in a political process that brings about a two-state solution."

He adds: "This country, and indeed the UK, know a lot about the importance of peace processes.

"This ultimately requires a political solution that delivers a two-state solution."

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• Solar Eclipse 2024

See the 2024 Solar Eclipse’s Path of Totality

A total solar eclipse is expected to pass through the United States on April 8, 2024, giving stargazers across the country the opportunity to view the celestial phenomenon in which the sun is completely covered by the moon.

The eclipse will enter the U.S. in Texas and exit in Maine. It is the last time a total solar eclipse will be visible in the contiguous United States until 2044.

Here's what to know about the path of the eclipse and where you can see it.

Read More : How Animals and Nature React to an Eclipse

Where can you see the total solar eclipse?

The eclipse will cross through North America, passing over parts of Mexico, the United States, and Canada. 

The eclipse will enter the United States in Texas, and travel through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan will also experience the total solar eclipse.

Much of the eclipse's visibility depends on the weather. A cloudy day could prevent visitors from seeing the spectacle altogether.

When does the solar eclipse start and end?

The solar eclipse will begin in Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT. It will exit continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.

The longest duration of totality—which is when the moon completely covers the sun — will be 4 minutes, 28 seconds, near Torreón, Mexico. Most places along the path of totality will see a totality duration between 3.5 and 4 minutes.

Read More : The Eclipse Could Bring $1.5 Billion Into States on the Path of Totality

Where’s the best place to see the total solar eclipse?

The best place to witness the event is along the path of totality. Thirteen states will be along the path of totality, and many towns across the country are preparing for the deluge of visitors— planning eclipse watch parties and events in the days leading up to totality.

In Rochester, NY, the Rochester Museum and Science Center is hosting a multi-day festival that includes a range of events and activities. Russellville, Arkansas will host an event with activities including live music, science presentations, tethered hot-air balloon rides, and telescope viewings.

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Write to Simmone Shah at [email protected]

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