Last update: 28 Oct 2026
* We earn a commission from some links on this page.
South Africa Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
South Africa – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type M
Type M:
 Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
South African Rand (ZAR) £1 ≈ ZAR 22.10 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 5/5
Cashless payments are widely accepted in South Africa, and credit cards are commonly used in most establishments.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is customary in South Africa, with 10-15% being the standard in restaurants. Small tips for taxis and hotel staff are also appreciated. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, including parks and beaches. However, it is generally prohibited in public spaces like streets. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Designated smoking zones are available in certain locations. |
| Freedom Day (27 April) |
Celebrates South Africa's first democratic elections |
|---|---|
| Christmas (25 December) |
A major festive holiday in the country |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Numbers: 10111 (Police), 10177 (Ambulance), 112 (from mobile phones) |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Bolt, Uber |
| Other: | South Africa is famous for its wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and rich cultural diversity. It offers a wide range of travel experiences from safaris to coastal adventures. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for South Africa, South Africa
Climate varies by region: Cape Town and the Garden Route are best November to March, the safari areas around Kruger best May to September, Durban and the east coast are warm year-round
Cape Town gets winter rain June to August, while the rest of the country is mostly dry then
South African school holidays in December and January bring heavy crowds and high prices at beaches and parks
Don't miss
- 🐘 Go on safari in Kruger National Park
- 🥾 Hike to Maclear’s Beacon on Table Mountain
- 🌄 Explore the scenic Blyde River Canyon
- 🐧 Visit the penguins at Boulders Beach
- 🏝️ Tour Robben Island, Nelson Mandela’s prison
- 🛍️ Experience vibrant culture at the V&A Waterfront
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to South Africa?
South Africa's appeal lies in its remarkable diversity of experiences. The country boasts some of the world's best safari opportunities, where you can witness the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant and Cape buffalo) in their natural habitat. Beyond wildlife, you'll find stunning coastlines along both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the picturesque Cape Winelands, dramatic mountain ranges and vibrant cities with rich historical significance. However, travelers should be prepared for certain challenges. Safety concerns exist in some urban areas, so it's advisable to research destinations thoroughly and take standard precautions. The distances between attractions can be vast, requiring careful planning. While major tourist areas have good infrastructure, language barriers may exist in more remote areas. Budget travelers can expect to spend around $40-50 per day, mid-range travelers about $100-150 per day and luxury travelers $250+ per day, excluding international flights.
🏙️Cities & Regions
-
1
Cape Town
Vibrant coastal city known for Table Mountain’s iconic silhouette, diverse cultures and thriving arts scene. Offers world‑class vineyards, historic Cape Town Stadium, nearby beaches that attract surfers and sunbathers alike and a bustling waterfront promenade. -
2
Kruger National Park
This vast South African reserve spans nearly 2,000 square kilometers of savanna and bushveld. It offers iconic wildlife viewing, including the Big Five, along with numerous rivers and waterfalls that attract diverse animal life year-round. -
3
Johannesburg
South Africa's economic hub offers world-class museums, vibrant nightlife and stunning nature reserves. While downtown can feel busy, venture to the northern suburbs or nearby game parks for a quieter experience that still showcases the city's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty. -
4
Knysna
Surrounded by lush forests and the turquoise waters of the Garden Route, this coastal town offers a mix of wildlife reserves, vineyards and vibrant arts scenes. Visitors enjoy scenic drives, fresh seafood and easy access to nearby national parks. -
5
Pretoria
Capital city of South Africa, Pretoria sits in a valley surrounded by pine forests and rolling hills. It hosts government institutions, historic sites like Union Buildings and cultural venues such as the National Museum and botanical gardens. -
6
Stellenbosch
This Western Cape wine town sits at the foot of the Helderberg Mountains, defining South Africa's premier viticultural region. While tourist trains fill the valley floor, seek out quiet cellar doors in the hills for an authentic tasting experience away from the crowds. -
7
Jeffreys Bay
This pristine surf spot on South Africa's Garden Route offers consistent waves and warm waters year-round. The coastline features dramatic cliffs, golden sands and a laid-back atmosphere perfect for surfing, swimming and enjoying stunning ocean views along this world-class destination. -
8
Durban
A coastal city on South Africa's eastern shoreline, Durban offers a humid subtropical climate, expansive beaches and vibrant Indian heritage. The Golden Mile hosts markets, restaurants and the iconic uShaka Marine World, making it a popular destination. -
9
Hermanus
A coastal town on South Africa’s southern tip offers rugged cliffs, a historic lighthouse and abundant wildlife viewing from nearby reserves. Visitors can enjoy fresh seafood, scenic hikes and panoramic ocean views in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. -
10
Table Mountain National Park
This national park offers dramatic mountain views and diverse wildlife habitats within Cape Town's urban landscape. Visitors can explore hiking trails, scenic drives and breathtaking vistas that showcase the region's natural beauty and ecological significance.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
🛍️Shopping
🎈Events
-
Cape Town Jazz Festival
-
Knysna Oyster Festival
-
National Arts Festival (Grahamstown)
-
Hermanus Whale Festival
-
Cape Town Carnival
-
AfrikaBurn
-
Durban July Horse Race
-
Oppikoppi Music Festival
-
Soweto Wine Festival
-
Klein Karoo National Arts Festival
Popular travel destinations in South Africa
Knowledge before you go
- Use trusted transport; avoid walking alone after dark.
- Keep valuables out of sight, especially in cities and at beaches.
- If self-driving, stick to main roads and avoid night drives.
- Plan around load shedding; carry a power bank and confirm backup power at your accommodation.
How to travel to South Africa
Most international visitors arrive in South Africa through major airports in Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International) or Cape Town International Airport, with direct flights available from many global hubs. Flight costs typically range from US$800 – 1,500 (£600.91 – 1,126.71) for round-trip tickets from the United States or Europe. South Africa has visa-free access for many nationalities for stays up to 90 days, but check current requirements before traveling. When planning your trip, consider that the best time to visit depends on your activities – wildlife viewing is excellent during the dry winter months (May-September), while the summer (November-February) is ideal for beaches.
Access summary
- Cape Town: Fly to CPT; direct from Europe, UK, USA.
- Johannesburg: Fly to JNB; global hub, trains to Durban.
- Kruger (Mpumalanga): Fly to MQP; safaris from JNB.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in South Africa
South Africa offers accommodations for every budget, from luxury safari lodges to budget hostels and everything in between. In major cities, you'll find international hotel chains alongside boutique hotels. For unique experiences, consider safari lodges in national parks, wine estate accommodations in the Cape Winelands or beachfront properties along the coast. Budget travelers can find hostels starting from ZAR 20 – 30 (£0.91 – 1.36) per night, mid-range hotels typically cost ZAR 60 – 100 (£2.72 – 4.53) and luxury options range from ZAR 150 (£6.79) to several hundred dollars per night. Book well in advance for peak tourist seasons (December-January and June-August).
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
Belaire Suites Hotel
Cape Town Lodge Hotel
City Lodge Hotel at OR Tambo International Airport Johannesburg
Royal Palm Hotel
Blue Waters Hotel
Royal Hotel Durban
Riverside Hotel
Krystal Beach Hotel Pty Ltd
Coastlands Umhlanga Hotel and Convention Centre
Radisson Hotel and Convention Centre OR Tambo Airport
How to get around South Africa
Getting around South Africa offers various options to suit different preferences and budgets. In major cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town, ride-sharing services like Uber are widely available and affordable. For longer distances, domestic flights connect major cities quickly, though they can be expensive. Rental cars provide the most flexibility for exploring at your own pace, especially for visiting national parks and rural areas. South Africa has an extensive network of long-distance buses connecting most towns and cities, offering a more economical option for budget travelers.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in South Africa are around 50% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (GBP to ZAR) is 2% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Petrol, 1 l |
Other
| 🎞️ Cinema ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Exercise caution, especially in major cities where crime rates can be high. Avoid displaying valuables, use official taxis or ride-sharing apps and research neighborhoods before visiting. National parks and tourist areas are generally safe with proper precautions.
Health & Medical
Major cities have excellent private healthcare facilities, though services may be limited in rural areas. Comprehensive travel insurance is essential. Malaria prevention is necessary when visiting northeastern regions like Kruger National Park.
Accessibility
Accessibility varies widely across South Africa. Major tourist attractions and newer facilities in cities offer some accessibility features, but wildlife areas, national parks and older infrastructure may present challenges for mobility-impaired travelers.
Tap water
Tap water is generally safe to drink in major cities and towns, but quality varies in rural areas. Bottled water is widely available and recommended in remote regions. Carry water when traveling to remote areas.
Packing recommendations for South Africa
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sun cream
hat, sunglasses, sun cream
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🧥
Waterproof jacket
👀
Binoculars
for wildlife viewing
🕶️
Sunglasses
hat, sunglasses, sun cream
🪰
Insect repellent
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
👒
Sun hat
hat, sunglasses, sun cream
📃
Travel insurance
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
🧥
Fleece mid-layer
for evenings
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal travel adaptor
🩺
Prescription medicines
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
🛂
Passport
Destinations in South Africa
Related articles & guides for South Africa
Nearby recommended places
Looking for inspiration?
Discover
Best couple holiday destinations
Travelling as a couple sounds simple enough, yet the best couple holiday destinations mean something different to almost every pair. What feels romantic to one couple can feel like…
Read more
Discover
Best destinations for first-time travellers
A first trip abroad works best somewhere that eases you in, rather than throwing every possible culture shock and logistical headache at you at once. Some first-time travellers…
Read more
Discover
Best travel destinations for seniors
Senior travel covers a wide range, from slow, low effort trips built around comfort to more independent trips for travellers who still want to cover plenty of ground. Some…
Read more
Discover
Best couple vacation destinations in Africa
For couples, Africa offers something that is getting rare in modern travel, the sense of experiencing something genuinely extraordinary together rather than ticking off sights you…
Read more
Discover
Best destinations for first-time travelers in Africa
Africa can feel like a bigger step for a first trip abroad, with more planning and a longer flight than some other options, though it still makes a memorable start with the right…
Read more
Discover
Extraordinary natural wonders and scenic landscapes
Natural wonders occupy a different category from other travel destinations. They are places where the scale, the geology, the light or the sheer improbability of what exists there…
Read more
Discover
Top digital nomad destinations and remote work hubs in 2026
Working from anywhere in the world sounds simple until you actually try it and the best digital nomad destinations look different depending on what kind of remote worker you are.…
Read more
Discover
Amazing wildlife encounters and natural habitats
Wildlife encounters of real quality are becoming rarer and finding them requires more intention than it once did. The destinations that still offer genuine, undisturbed wildlife in…
Read more
Discover
Best travel destinations for seniors in Africa
Africa has become steadily more accessible for older travelers, with more lodges and tour operators now set up to make a safari more comfortable than it used to be. Many safari…
Read more
Discover
Best travel destinations for food allergies
Travelling with a food allergy adds a layer of planning most people never have to think about and the right destination can make that planning a lot easier. Some travellers…
Read more
Discover
Top birdwatching destinations and avian hotspots
Birdwatching has a way of changing how you travel. Once you start paying attention to what's flying, perching and calling overhead, a destination opens up in ways that a standard…
Read more
Discover
Top food destinations and culinary hotspots
Food travel has matured into a sophisticated circuit built around the world's great culinary traditions, restaurant destinations and producer landscapes that offer experiences…
Read more
Discover
Top autumn foliage destinations and colours
Few natural spectacles are as season-specific and location-dependent as autumn foliage, where the combination of tree species composition, temperature drop and daylight reduction…
Read more
Discover
Intimate escapes and romantic getaways
The most memorable trips for couples tend to have less to do with luxury and more to do with the quality of shared experience. A place that slows you down, removes the usual…
Read more
Discover
Top adventure destinations and outdoor activities
Adventure travel covers an enormous range of activities and risk tolerances, from multi-day wilderness trekking and white water rafting to technical climbing, polar expeditions and…
Read more
What other users say about travelfilters
“travelfilters made it easy for me to find ski areas and compare what else they offer, so that I could find the best place for my personal travel style.”
Chris
Snowboarding & Onsen trip to Japan
“I love how transparent the data feels. There is no pushy upsell, just honest information and settings I can tune to my own travel style.”
Maria
After booking her 2027 winter escape
“The level of detail for each destination and how well those are displayed, make planning feel confident instead of overwhelming.”
Mina
Planned a week in New York City
“We used travelfilters for our planning from start to end. The trip turned out even better than expected, thanks to all their tools and customisation options.”
Allan & Etienne
Trip to Japan to see autumn foliage
“Thanks to travelfilters, I found some hidden gems to see. Being able to filter for exactly your interests is a game changer for my travel planning.”
Michael
Tour through the old cities of Northern Italy
“The customizable filters helped me find a quiet beach town with good wifi and low season crowds in under five minutes.”
Diego
Weekend Escape to Llanes, Spain
“The airport connection map saved me hours by showing good flight options from my home airport to lesser-known cities.”
Nguyen
Planning a 2027 trip to France
“The website is clean, fast and focused on the search itself, which makes travelfilters feel more like a professional tool than an ad-heavy booking site.”
Hassan
Christmas Market trip, Germany
