South Africa Travel Guide

Whether you’re looking for an extraordinary corporate incentive, once-in-a-lifetime family holiday or a honeymoon to remember, our bespoke South African travel packages are custom-built around your needs, your schedule and your vision of a perfect African adventure. 

Our experienced travel planners will help you plan the perfect African escape, but if you need a little inspiration, here are some of our most popular itineraries…

South Africa is renowned for its authentic hospitality. Across the country you’ll find a wide range of luxury accommodation, from international brand hotels to owner-run boutique guesthouses and luxury safari lodges you’ll recognise from the pages of Travel+Leisure or Condé Nast Traveler. 

Africa By Design has carefully curated a handpicked selection of hotels, guesthouses and lodges to suit the most discerning global traveller. Allow our experienced travel consultants to find the perfect African escape for you.

South Africa’s currency is the ‘Rand’, with one Rand (R) divided into 100 cents (c). 

ATMs are widely available in major cities, and operate 24 hours a day. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at most merchants. American Express and Diners Club are less commonly used, and may incur a surcharge.  

Note that prices in shops will already include Value Added Tax (VAT), with no additional tax added at the checkout.

Tipping in bars and restaurants is optional, but generally expected unless the service is poor. For good service, a gratuity between 10-15% is acceptable. Safari lodges will offer individual advice on gratuities for guides, trackers and housekeeping.

Mobile payment apps – Snapscan and Zapper are the most popular locally – are useful, particularly in major cities.

South Africa operates on a 230V (50Hz) electrical system. For travellers from Europe, Australia and most of Asia this rarely poses a problem, but it is considerably higher voltage than the 110V used in the United States. Confirm that your appliances are multi-voltage before departure, or consider bringing an adapter/converter. 

South Africa makes use of both Type C 2-prong plugs, which have two round pins, and Plug Type D, which has three round pins in a triangular pattern. Most hotels will be able to provide plug adapters, if needed.

While crime remains a concern for many South Africans, the reality is that tourists are rarely affected. Avoid being the victim of urban petty crime by following a few common sense guidelines. 

• As with any global city be vigilant when walking, particularly at night. Stick to busy, well-lit areas and ask your local guide or concierge for advice on suggested routes. 
• Avoid carrying valuables or large sums of cash on your person, and keep a close watch on personal belongings (handbags, cameras etc), particularly in crowded public spaces. 
• Safe public transport is limited in South African cities. Rather use Uber, or ask your local guide/hotel concierge to arrange a pre-booked transfer.

For a taste of all that South Africa has to offer, Africa by Design recommends a minimum of seven nights in-country. If time and budget allow, 10-14 days will allow for a more complete discovery of this remarkable destination.

Travellers from the United States, European Union, United Kingdom and numerous Asian countries do not require a visa to visit South Africa on holiday for up to 90 days. Click here to confirm if you require a visa.

Your passport or travel document should be valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of your intended visit and must have at least one unused page for entry/departure endorsements. Failure to comply may result in entry to the country being denied.

No inoculations are required to enter South Africa, although travellers arriving from a Yellow Fever region must produce a certificate of prior vaccination on arrival.

Wi-Fi Internet access is available in almost all hotels and lodges, as well as many restaurants and attractions, typically at no charge. Mobile connectivity can be easily purchased on arrival (ID required), but remember that coverage is often limited in remote areas.