south-africa

South Africa Travel Guide

Trek Zone
sawubona
(sah-woo-bo-nah • Zulu)
Say hello
99°F
Wednesday
95°F
Thursday

Season Note

Are December and January good months to visit South Africa?

12

December

High
season

1

January

High
season

Visa Limitations

Visa requirements for citizens of United States visiting South Africa for tourism.

Visa not required

A visa is not required.

Daily budget (1 person)

How much will you spend on accommodation, local transport, sightseeing, meals?

Backpacker's budget
from 34 to 52 USD

Tourist's budget
from 73 to 94 USD

Did you know?

South Africa has three capitals: administrative – Pretoria, legislative – Cape Town and judicial – Bloemfontein.

How far is it?

1. The site uses the Great Circle method of calculating distances between two points on the Earth
2. To change the cities for comparison, change Your Country in settings

The distance between Pretoria (ZA) and Washington D.C. (US) is 8098 miles

To calculate distance between your location and Pretoria click here

Pretoria
Pretoria
Durban
Cape Town
Johannesburg
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C.
Philadelphia
Houston
Chicago
Los Angeles
New York City
8098
mi

Country Comparison

Compare South Africa to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.

South AfricaVSSelect country
Compare
Select country

Time Timezone

00:00

Safety

General travel safety level in South Africa on a scale of 1 (safe) to 4 (unsafe).

2

Level 2 • Exercise a high degree of caution.

Update: 13 Oct 2024

Upcoming holidays

16 December 2024• Day of Reconciliation

25 December 2024• Christmas Day

Currency

Rand (ZAR) - rate compared to selected currencies

1 ZAR
Rate
Inversion
EUR
0.05257
19.02215
GBP
0.04362
22.92518
USD
0.05529
18.08641
Update: 3 Dec 2024

Get ready for your next trip

With just a few clicks you can find the best accommodation, airline tickets, or buy insurance that provides comprehensive protection for your next journey.

Cities and Top Tourist Attractions

From historical cities to picturesque landmarks and fascinating places - don't miss out on these attractions when planning a visit to South Africa

Map
Distance matrix
MilesJohannesburgCape TownPretoriaDurbanStellenboschTable Mountain National ParkFranschhoekPaarl
Johannesburg-78631312767796755754
Cape Town786-81479125154033
Pretoria31814-330796825784783
Durban312791330-767796752757
Stellenbosch76725796767-301515
Table Mountain National Park7961582579630-4442
Franschhoek755407847521544-15
Paarl75433783757154215-

A Brief History of South Africa

Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries

Best Ways to Experience South Africa

  • Cuisine
  • Art
  • Animals

Practical Information for Travelers

  • Budget
  • Currency
  • Vaccinations
  • Visa
  • Electricity

Determine the expenses for your travel or vacation budget, as well as the expenditures associated with residing in another country

More

Backpacker's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel in a standard close to 1 star (hostels, public transport). When traveling alone, the cost may be slightly higher (hotel room) or the same (dormitory accommodation).

from 34 to 52 USD

Tourist's budget

Daily budget for one person, assuming that two people travel (they share the cost of a hotel room, taxis, etc.) to a standard close to 3 stars. Costs for a solo traveler will be higher.

from 73 to 94 USD

You can find out more about travel costs and prices in South Africa via the Prices link

Currency

More

Rand (ZAR)

EUR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
  • ZAR
ZAR
  • EUR
  • GBP
  • USD
  • ZAR
 = 
Exchange rates provided by Open Exchange Rates. Last update: 3 December 2024
RandRandRandRandRandRandRandRandRandRand

Vaccinations

More

All travelers

You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in South Africa.

Routine vaccines

Before each trip, it is worth making sure that we are up to date with the routine vaccinations. These include vaccinations against measles, mumps and rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, chickenpox, polio and flu.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Reduce your exposure to germs

Most travelers

Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a digestive disease caused by the hepatitis A virus and is closely related to a lack of good hygiene.It can be asymptomatic, moderate, or very severe.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is an acute, systemic infectious disease caused by Salmonella typhi.The source of the infection may include dirty water, raw fruits, vegetables, dairy products, as well as dirt containing bacteria.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Eat and drink safely

Some travelers

Vaccinations and medications that may be recommended under certain conditions, depending on where you will be, the length of your stay and the nature of your stay.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.Infection occurs through contact of injured skin or mucous membranes with virus-infected blood or other secretions (e.g. during sexual contact, through contaminated needles or as a result of medical procedures).
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Avoid sharing body fluids
  • Avoid non-sterile medical or cosmetic equipment

Malaria

Malaria is a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Take antimalarial meds
  • Prevent bug bites
Estimated relative risk of malaria in South Africa

Niskie

Areas with malaria

Present along the border with Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Specifically in Vhembe and Mopani district municipalities of Limpopo Province; Ehlanzeni district municipality in Mpumalanga Province; and Umknanyakude in Kwazulu-Natal Province. Present in Kruger National Park

Rabies

Rabies is an acute infectious disease caused by neurotrophic viruses from the rhabdovirus family.The infection is most often caused by biting a sick animal or other contact of its saliva with mucous membranes, conjunctiva or damaged skin.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Keep away from animals

Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is an acute viral disease which is transmitted by virus-infected mosquitoes.
Prevention
  • Get vaccinated
  • Prevent bug bites
Vaccination requirements

Required if traveling from a country with risk of YFV transmission and ≥1 year of age, including transit >12 hours in an airport located in a country with risk of YFV transmission.

This section is for informational purposes and does not exhaust all issues related to vaccination. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

With or without a visa?

Visa requirements for citizens of

United States
  • United States
  • More

visiting flagSouth Africa for tourism

Updated on 2 March 2023. Based on Visa requirements for United States citizens
Visa not required

A visa is not required.

  • Allowed stay: 90 days
  • Holders of passports without 2 blank pages may be refused entry.

Electricity

230V (50 Hz)

In South Africa the standard voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50 Hz. Type C, D, M, N sockets are used.

Click on the socket icon to see more information
socket CType C
socket DType D
socket MType M
socket NType N

Facts and Figures

Fundamental socio-economic statistical data pertaining to the country

Population

25 / 231
Ranking
59 308 690
black African 79.2%, white 8.9%, colored 8.9%, Indian/Asian 2.5%

Area

26 / 230
Ranking
471.4 thous. mi²
It is approximately 13% of the territory of United States.

Life expectancy

172 / 196
Ranking
65
Life expectancy expressed in years.men 63.7women 66.4

Median age

60 / 157
Ranking
28
Average age of population expressed in years.men 27.9women 28.1

Population growth

90 / 172
Ranking
0.95%
The difference between live births and deaths. A negative value means natural loss.

Literacy

45 / 131
Ranking
95%
Ability to read, write and count.men 95.5%women 94.5%

GDP

95 / 194
Ranking
13 356 INT$
GDP per capita is gross domestic product converted to international dollars (Int$) using purchasing power parity rates and divided by total population.
Source: WDI World Bank & CIA World Factbook Country Comparison

Where to next? Discover country icon Namibia, a country in the region worth visiting, or use the destination finder