Africa · Destination guide
South Africa
Capital: Pretoria/Cape Town/Bloemfontein (3 capitals)
🛂Visa requirements
💳Money & payments
Cards: Cards widely accepted. Tap-and-go common in cities.
ATMs: Absa, Standard Bank, and FNB ATMs reliable. Use ATMs inside shopping centres where possible.
Tipping
10–15% in restaurants standard. Petrol station attendants: R5–10. Car guards (informal parking attendants): R5–10.
💬Language
11 official languages. English, Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans most common
English is the language of business and tourism throughout South Africa. No language barrier for English speakers.
Useful phrases
- ·Dankie — Thank you (Afrikaans)
- ·Sawubona — Hello (Zulu)
- ·Howzit — How are you? (South African English)
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
Not a native English speaker?
English is the international travel language — building confidence before your trip makes every interaction easier.
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🔌Electricity & plugs
South Africa uses a unique Type M plug. All visitors need an adapter. The D/C/N pins can also work in many South African sockets.
🤝Local customs & etiquette
- 1.South Africa is a diverse, multicultural society — respect is shown by learning about and acknowledging different cultures.
- 2.Braai (barbecue) is a national institution — it is the primary social gathering format. Being invited to a braai is an honour.
- 3.Road safety: do not stop at red lights at night in unsafe areas — it is legal to treat red lights as stop signs after dark in areas of concern.
- 4.Load shedding (scheduled power cuts): check the Eskom schedule and have offline entertainment and torch ready.
- 5.Wildlife areas: never get out of your vehicle in game reserves unless at designated stops.
📶SIM cards & connectivity
Local SIM: Vodacom and MTN have the best coverage. Telkom and Cell C cheaper but weaker in rural areas. SIMs at airports and supermarkets. ID required.
WiFi: Good in Cape Town and major cities. National parks: very limited.
🛡️Safety
Follow local advice carefully. Cape Town's tourist areas (V&A Waterfront, Gardens, Camps Bay) are generally safe in daytime. Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas. Never leave valuables visible in a parked car.
💉Health
Malaria prophylaxis required for the Kruger National Park region and Mozambique border areas. Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a yellow fever endemic country. HIV/AIDS prevalence is high.
🚨Emergency numbers
police
10111
ambulance fire
10177
emergency
112
🚗Driving
Explore South Africa