South Africa: Big Five, Cape Town & the open road

International flights arrive at OR Tambo (Johannesburg) and Cape Town International. Johannesburg is the main hub for Kruger safaris.

• Domestic flights are frequent and good value — Airlink, FlySafair, CemAir and SAA connect the major cities and safari gateways, and save a lot of time on the country's long distances.
• Light-aircraft transfers serve the private reserves: usually soft-sided bags only, with a strict luggage limit of around 15–20 kg including hand luggage — check with your lodge before you pack.
• Self-drive is popular and rewarding — the Garden Route, the Winelands and Kruger's public rest camps are all classic drives. Driving is on the left and roads are generally good.
• In the cities, use Uber or Bolt rather than hailing taxis on the street.

The currency is the South African Rand (ZAR, written R).

• Cards — including contactless and mobile wallets — are accepted almost everywhere.
• ATMs are common; use ones inside shopping malls or banks, shield your PIN, and decline help from strangers.
• Carry some cash for tips, markets, rural areas, park gates and the occasional cash-only petrol station.
• Tell your bank you'll be travelling so your cards aren't blocked.

VAT refund: tourists can claim back the 15% VAT on goods they take home — keep your tax invoices and claim at the refund desk at the airport on departure.

See your GP or a travel clinic about 6–8 weeks before you leave.

• Malaria — present in the Kruger/Lowveld and far north-east (eastern Mpumalanga, northern Limpopo, northern KwaZulu-Natal). Take anti-malarial medication (risk is highest September–May) and prevent bites with repellent and long sleeves at dusk. Cape Town, the Garden Route and the Winelands are malaria-free.
• Yellow fever — none in South Africa, but you must show a vaccination certificate if you arrive from or transit a yellow-fever-risk country (parts of East and Central Africa) — relevant on multi-country safaris. Yellow Fever certificate is only required if transiting for more than 12 hours through an airport in a Yellow Fever endemic country (e.g., transit via Addis Ababa / Nairobi on Ethiopian or Kenya Airways).
• Other vaccines — make sure routine vaccinations are current; many travellers also add hepatitis A and typhoid. Ask your doctor.
• Water — tap water is safe to drink in cities and towns.

Insurance: private hospitals in the major cities are excellent but expensive, so comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is essential.

South Africa has high crime in parts of the country, but the great majority of visits are trouble-free with sensible precautions.

• In cities — keep valuables out of sight, don't walk alone after dark, use Uber or Bolt at night, and use ATMs inside malls or banks.
• Safari areas — lodges, private reserves and the main tourist areas are very safe.
• On the road — keep doors locked and windows up at city intersections, don't leave bags visible, and avoid driving at night in rural areas (livestock and pedestrians).

Emergencies: 10111 (police), 10177 (ambulance), or 112 from any mobile. Save your lodge's number and the Australian High Commission details below.

South Africa has 12 official languages — among them isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans and English, and since 2023 South African Sign Language. English is the language of business, signage and tourism, so you'll get by easily everywhere.

South Africans are warm and informal; a friendly greeting goes a long way. Dress is generally casual — smart-casual for upmarket restaurants, neutral colours on safari, and modest cover at religious or rural sites. Tipping is part of everyday life (see above). Always ask before photographing people.

• Mobile coverage (4G/5G) is good in cities and towns.
• Wi-Fi — most lodges have it, though it can be slow or limited to common areas (a welcome chance to switch off).
• SIMs & eSIMs — prepaid local SIMs (Vodacom, MTN) and eSIMs are inexpensive; a physical SIM needs RICA registration, so bring your passport and a proof of address (your hotel booking works).
• Load-shedding (scheduled power cuts) has eased but can still happen; good hotels and lodges run on backup power or solar.

Last verified: 26 August 2026. This guide is researched from official and authoritative sources and reviewed by Explore Africa. Visa, health and safety rules can change — always confirm the current advice before you travel.

Key sources:

• Smartraveller (Australian Government): smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/south-africa
• South African High Commission, Canberra: dirco.gov.za/canberra
• South African Tourism: www.southafrica.net
• US CDC Travellers' Health: wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel
• Australian High Commission, Pretoria: southafrica.embassy.gov.au
• BSG Lawyers - www.bsglawyers.com.au/travel-to-south-africa-with-kids
• South Africa Government - www.gov.za/news/media-statements/home-affairs-requirements-children-travelling-through-south-african-ports (Paragraph 1.1 and 1.2)