Updated · On BootsnAll since 1999 · History
Overview and Things to Consider
South Africa offers Africa's most accessible safari experiences combined with sophisticated urban exploration, diverse landscapes, and excellent infrastructure. The country spans Mediterranean climates, deserts, forests, and grasslands creating varied experiences. Johannesburg and Cape Town function as world-class cities with exceptional dining, entertainment, and cultural venues. English is widely spoken alongside Afrikaans and eleven other official languages. Self-driving is genuinely practical with paved highways throughout. Tourism is well-organized with quality accommodations spanning all budget levels. Political stability and security improvements make it increasingly welcoming. May through September offers ideal safari conditions with cool temperatures. Kruger National Park delivers legendary wildlife viewing. The country effectively combines adventure, culture, and relaxation.
Getting There and Around
Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo Airport and Cape Town's International Airport receive flights from Europe, America, and Africa. Domestic flights connect major cities efficiently. Road infrastructure is excellent with paved highways throughout. Self-driving is practical and rewarding. Car rentals are reasonably priced and widely available. Public transportation includes long-distance buses between cities. Ride-sharing apps function in major urban areas. Taxis require negotiated fares. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels to luxury lodges nationwide. Train services connect major destinations. Helicopter services access remote lodges. The country's infrastructure facilitates independent travel genuinely.
What's Changed Since 2016
Tourism infrastructure has continued expanding with new hotels and lodges throughout the country. Road conditions have improved with major highways upgraded. Safety perceptions have improved in tourist areas. Technology adoption has accelerated with mobile payments becoming standard. Craft beer and wine scenes have expanded significantly. Arts and culture venues have proliferated in major cities. Eco-tourism initiatives have developed in natural areas. Accommodation pricing has increased reflecting demand growth. Conservation efforts have continued protecting wildlife. Adventure tourism options have expanded considerably.
Ideas to Consider for Your Visit
Experience Kruger National Park for world-class safari viewing. Hike Table Mountain in Cape Town for panoramic views. Visit Cape Point and scenic Cape Peninsula drives. Experience wine country in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Explore Johannesburg's museums, galleries, and neighborhoods. Walk the Drakensberg Mountains. Visit Garden Route coastal drives. Experience Apartheid Museum understanding history. Connect with local communities through cultural tourism. Enjoy Cape Town's beaches and vibrant waterfront. Experience wildlife in private game reserves.
Realities to Be Aware Of
Petty crime occurs in major cities - apply standard urban precautions. Violent crime affects certain neighborhoods - avoid these areas. Johannesburg and Cape Town require standard city awareness. Long-distance driving requires concentration and safety attention. Fuel is relatively expensive. Accommodation and dining prices are higher than neighboring countries. Wildlife viewing is never guaranteed, though probabilities are excellent. Malaria risk exists in certain regions - prophylaxis is recommended. Sun exposure is intense - sun protection is essential. Water quality varies - use filtered water in some areas. Political tensions continue evolving.
If South Africa Is Part of a Longer Trip
Combining South Africa with Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia creates comprehensive southern African journeys. Adding Mozambique extends coastal experiences. Lesotho provides mountain alternatives. Eswatini offers cultural contrasts. Regional self-driving routes span multiple countries. Flight connections between capitals streamline longer itineraries. South Africa functions as the economic and infrastructure hub for regional travel. Three to four weeks allows meaningful South Africa exploration plus neighboring destinations. The region's infrastructure facilitates comfortable multi-country experiences.
Yearly Things to Consider
May through September offers the best wildlife viewing with dry conditions and cool temperatures. October and November bring warming with good conditions continuing. December through February is hot and humid with afternoon rains. March and April are pleasant with moderate temperatures. June and July see the most international visitors seeking winter escape. Water conditions at coast are coldest June through August. Bird watching improves during migratory seasons. Whale season occurs June through November in coastal areas. School holidays in June, July, and December increase local tourism. Prices peak in June through August.
Ideas for Itineraries
South Africa's size and diversity reward varying timeframes:
3 Days
Spend entire duration in Cape Town exploring Table Mountain, waterfront, and neighborhoods. This brief duration captures the city's essential character.
5 Days
Spend three days in Cape Town. Travel to Stellenbosch for wine tasting. Explore Cape Peninsula. Return to Cape Town for final night. This timeframe balances city and wine country.
1 Week
Explore Cape Town extensively. Visit wine country. Drive Garden Route. Experience Cape Peninsula and beaches. This week truly captures Cape Town's character and regional beauty.
2 Weeks or More
Undertake comprehensive South African journey visiting Cape Town, wine regions, Garden Route, Drakensberg mountains, and Kruger National Park. Extend to Johannesburg. Experience museums and cultural sites. This extended timeframe allows exploring South Africa's profound diversity thoroughly.
From the BootsnAll archive
24 stories and articles about South Africa, 2000 to 2010
- Eight reasons to visit South Africa during the World Cup
Article · Travis Clark
- Guns on the Street, A Day in the Bush - Nelspruit, South Africa
Article · Derek William Bland
- 8 Excellent Experiences in South Africa
Article · Ian Dickinson
- World Cup 2010 Roundup: Trivia, Teams, & Travel Tips
Article · Jessica Spiegel
- Cheap Safari Tips: DIY at South Africa’s Kruger National Park
Article · Katie Hammel
- The Baz Bus: How to Get Around South Africa
Article · Kathy Schmidt
- Seeing and Eating Exotic Animals in South Africa
Article · Mattie John Bamman
- Mpumalanga Interlude - Mpumalanga, South Africa
Article · Allan Taylor
Show all 24
- Eight Great South Africa Festivals to Attend Before, During, and After the World Cup
Article · Ian Dickinson
- Four Things You Think You Know About South Africa
Article · Jessica Spiegel
- Traveler Postcard - Jessica in South Africa
Article · Jessica Spiegel
- Oudtshoorn’s Ostriches - Garden Route, South Africa
Article · 2008 · Allan Taylor
- Apartheid in South Africa - South Africa
Article · 2005 · Seleze Oosthuizen
- How to Stay Safe in South Africa - South Africa
Article · 2004 · Ann McLaughlin
- Round The World by Bike #23: Francistown, Botswana to Jane Furse, South Africa
Story · 2002 · Alastair Humphreys
- The Drakensberg, South Africa
Article · 2000 · Allan Taylor
- Shades of Gray - Living as a Local in Cape Town, South Africa
Article · Shannon Whitehead · Cape Town
- 6 Ways to Experience the Magic of Cape Town
Article · Brittany Hawkins · Cape Town
- Surfing Spots in Capetown
Article · Nikko Marasigan · Cape Town
- Chasing Elephants and Decoding Dung: On Safari in Kruger National Park
Article · 2010 · Brian Spencer · Kruger
- Is It Possible to Climb Table Mountain in One Hour? - Cape Town, South Africa
Article · 2004 · Lee Abbamonte · Cape Town
- Round The World by Bike #25: Cape Town, South Africa
Story · 2003 · Alastair Humphreys · Cape Town
- Table Mountain - Cape Town, South Africa
Story · 2002 · Allan Taylor · Cape Town
- Round The World by Bike #24: Cape Town, South Africa
Story · 2002 · Alastair Humphreys · Cape Town
Cities in South Africa
South Africa Travel FAQ
Tourism areas including Cape Town and game reserves are reasonably safe. Standard urban precautions apply in major cities. Avoid displaying valuables and traveling alone at night. Johannesburg requires attention but established tourist areas are accessible. Thousands of tourists visit safely annually. Organized tours provide additional security. Stay informed through government travel advisories.
Visa requirements depend on nationality. EU citizens, USA, Canada, Australia, and many others receive visa-free entry for 90 days. Check South Africa's immigration website for your specific nationality. Valid passports with six months validity are required. Visas are typically issued on arrival for eligible nationalities.
Kruger National Park offers the most accessible safari experience. Self-driving through the park is possible but guided tours increase wildlife sightings. Private game reserves offer luxury options with excellent guides. Early morning and late afternoon provide best sighting opportunities. May through September offers ideal viewing conditions. Patience and extended time increase encounter probability. Binoculars and photography equipment enhance experiences.
Budget accommodation costs 20-50 USD. Mid-range hotels cost 80-200 USD. Luxury lodges cost 200+ USD. Meals at local restaurants cost 5-12 USD. Tourist-oriented dining costs 15-35 USD. Daily budgets of 60-100 USD work for budget travelers. Mid-range travelers budget 150-250 USD. Safari experiences range 100-300 USD. Prices are relatively high compared to other African countries.
South African wine regions including Stellenbosch and Franschhoek offer excellent wineries with tours and tastings. South African wines are world-class and relatively affordable. Wine estates feature beautiful grounds and fine dining. Tours can be self-guided or organized. Accommodation ranges from budget to luxury options. The region is remarkably accessible from Cape Town. Wine culture is unpretentious and welcoming.
Self-driving is practical and recommended. Road infrastructure is excellent. Driving is on the left. International driving permits are recommended. Car rentals are reasonably priced. Fuel is relatively expensive. Drive defensively in cities and avoid night driving. Kruger National Park self-driving is possible but guided tours maximize wildlife viewing.
English is widely spoken in tourism areas and major cities. Afrikaans is common throughout. Zulu, Xhosa, and other languages are spoken regionally. English proficiency is high making travel straightforward. Learning basic greetings in local languages is appreciated.
Update history (28)▸
· Rewrite
Updated for modern frameworks, with content updates and changes
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
1 message-board post from 1 traveler
- 2015: 1 post from 1 traveler in the South Africa Travel forum (source)
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
4 message-board posts from 4 travelers
- 2014: 4 posts from 4 travelers in the South Africa Travel forum (source)
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
1 message-board post from 1 traveler and 26 member blog posts from 3 bloggers
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
13 message-board posts from 9 travelers and 51 member blog posts from 6 bloggers
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
21 message-board posts from 15 travelers and 18 member blog posts from 3 bloggers
· Update
Annual update by Adam Seper, including traveler dispatches and AirTreks returnees
· Contributors
51 message-board posts from 23 travelers
- 2010: 51 posts from 23 travelers in the South Africa Travel forum (source)
· Contributors
61 message-board posts from 27 travelers and 22 member blog posts from 7 bloggers
· Archive
Travel guide on BootsnAll, at a new address
Archived copy of /Africa-South-Africa· Contributors
1 article, by Allan Taylor, plus 245 message-board posts from 65 travelers and 103 member blog posts from 18 bloggers
· Contributors
308 message-board posts from 77 travelers and 78 member blog posts from 14 bloggers
· Contributors
220 message-board posts from 77 travelers and 125 member blog posts from 21 bloggers
· Contributors
1 article, by Seleze Oosthuizen, plus 73 message-board posts from 45 travelers and 70 member blog posts from 7 bloggers
· Contributors
2 articles, by Ann McLaughlin and Lee Abbamonte, plus 12 message-board posts from 7 travelers and 7 member blog posts from 2 bloggers
- April 2004: How to Stay Safe in South Africa - South Africa - Ann McLaughlin (article) (source)
- June 2004: Is It Possible to Climb Table Mountain in One Hour? - Cape Town, South Africa - Lee Abbamonte (article) (source)
- 2004: 7 posts from 2 travelers on BootsnAll Travel Blogs (source)
- 2004: 12 posts from 7 travelers in the South Africa Travel forum (source)
· Contributors
1 story, by Alastair Humphreys, plus 6 message-board posts from 4 travelers
· Contributors
3 stories, by Alastair Humphreys and Allan Taylor, plus 2 message-board posts from 2 travelers
- October 2002: Round The World by Bike #23: Francistown, Botswana to Jane Furse, South Africa - Alastair Humphreys (story) (source)
- November 2002: Round The World by Bike #24: Cape Town, South Africa - Alastair Humphreys (story) (source)
- December 2002: Table Mountain - Cape Town, South Africa - Allan Taylor (story) (source)
- 2002: 2 posts from 2 travelers in the South Africa Travel forum (source)
· Contributors
1 message-board post from 1 traveler
- 2001: 1 post from 1 traveler in the South Africa Travel forum (source)
· Contributors
3 Insider dispatches, by Barbara, Allan Taylor and David Savage, plus 2 message-board posts from 1 traveler
- February 2000: Cape Town, South Africa - February 2000 - Barbara (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- July 2000: The Drakensberg, South Africa - Allan Taylor (Insider dispatch) (source)
- November 2000: Adventure in Cape Town - David Savage (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- 2000: 2 posts from 1 traveler in the South Africa Travel forum (source)
· Contributors
15 Insider dispatches, by Cheryl Morris, William (hey...just passing thru...) Robertson, Peter Thomas and 7 others
- May 1999: Cape Town, South Africa - May 1999 - Cheryl Morris (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- May 1999: Johannesburg, South Africa May 1999 - William (hey...just passing thru...) Robertson (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- May 1999: Kruger National Park, South Africa - Peter Thomas (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- June 1999: Johannesburg, South Africa - June 1999 - William Robertson (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- July 1999: Durban, South Africa - July 1999 - Doug Hendry (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- July 1999: Johannesburg, South Africa - July 1999 - William Robertson (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- August 1999: Cape Town, South Africa - August 1999 - Barbara (missing my mountain) (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- August 1999: Durban, South Africa - August 1999 - Doug Hendry (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- August 1999: Johannesburg, South Africa - August 1999 - William Robertson (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- August 1999: Pretoria, South Africa - August 1999 - Barbara (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- September 1999: Cape Town, South Africa - September 1999 - Sarah Jarvis (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- September 1999: Cape Town, South Africa - September 1999 - Barbara (I'm back, baby) (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- September 1999: Johannesburg, South Africa - August 1999 - Thandi Brewer (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- October 1999: Cape Town, South Africa - October 1999 (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
- December 1999: Cape Town, South Africa - December 1999 - Barbara (Insider dispatch, archived copy) (source)
· Contributors
Chris Heidrich, BootsnAll co-founder, has contributed to this guide since 1999, including dispatches from BootsnAll and AirTreks travelers