South Africa Travel Guide
Season • Note
Are December and January good months to visit South Africa?
December
High
season
January
High
season
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
Country Comparison
Compare South Africa to any country in the world and see key differences between them side-by-side.
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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
| Miles | Johannesburg | Cape Town | Pretoria | Durban | Stellenbosch | Table Mountain National Park | Franschhoek | Paarl |
| Johannesburg | - | 786 | 31 | 312 | 767 | 796 | 755 | 754 |
| Cape Town | 786 | - | 814 | 791 | 25 | 15 | 40 | 33 |
| Pretoria | 31 | 814 | - | 330 | 796 | 825 | 784 | 783 |
| Durban | 312 | 791 | 330 | - | 767 | 796 | 752 | 757 |
| Stellenbosch | 767 | 25 | 796 | 767 | - | 30 | 15 | 15 |
| Table Mountain National Park | 796 | 15 | 825 | 796 | 30 | - | 44 | 42 |
| Franschhoek | 755 | 40 | 784 | 752 | 15 | 44 | - | 15 |
| Paarl | 754 | 33 | 783 | 757 | 15 | 42 | 15 | - |
A Brief History of South Africa
Important historical events that significantly shaped the nation's trajectory throughout the centuries
1400s
Zulu & XhosaZulu and Xhosa tribes establish large kingdoms in the South Africa region.
1652
First EuropeansThe Dutch establish the port of Cape Town. They are the first Europeans to settle in South Africa.
1852
British controlThe British take control of Cape Town.
1886
Gold rushGold is discovered in Johannesburg, making the city rich.
1899 - 1902
Boer WarDutch settlers fight the British in the Boer War. Britain eventually gains control of South Africa.
1910
Independent nationSouth Africa becomes an independent nation.
1918
Nelson Mandela is bornRolihlahla Dalibhunga Mandela is born on July 18 in a small village in South Africa. A teacher later gives him the English name Nelson.
1948
ApartheidApartheid is introduced. Laws legally and physically separate different racial groups.
1952
Campaign for Defiance of Unjust LawsThe African National Congress, a black civil rights group, begins a Campaign for Defiance of Unjust Laws as a protest against apartheid. Nelson Mandela is one of its leaders.
1960
Sharpeville massacreIn the town of Sharpeville, 67 Africans are killed while protesting Apartheid.
1962
Mandela arrestedMandela is arrested for plotting against the government. Though he stays active politically, he will spend 27 years in prison.
1990
End of apartheidPresident F.W. de Klerk announces the end of apartheid. Mandela is freed from prison after serving 27 years.
1993
Nobel Peace PrizeDe Klerk and Mandela are jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
1994
President Nelson MandelaSouth Africa holds its first elections in which all races can vote. Nelson Mandela is elected President.
1995
Rugby World CupSouth Africa hosts and wins the World Cup rugby tournament.
1999
Nelson Mandela resignsMandela steps down as President.
2004
President Thabo MbekiThe African National Congress wins a landslide election, gaining almost 70% of the votes. Thabo Mbeki begins his second term as president.
2009
President Jacob ZumaJacob Zuma is elected President.
2010
FIFA World CupSouth Africa hosts the World Cup football tournament.
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
MoreBackpacker'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
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
Currency
MoreRand (ZAR)
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
- ZAR
- EUR
- GBP
- USD
- ZAR
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Vaccinations
MoreAll travelers
You should be up to date on routine vaccinations while traveling to any destination. Some vaccinations may also be required in South Africa.
Most travelers
Get travel vaccines and medicines because there is a risk of these diseases in the country you are visiting.
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
Areas with malaria
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
With or without a visa?
Visa requirements for citizens of
- United States
visiting 
South Africa for tourism
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
Type C
Type D
Type M
Type NFacts 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. |
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