Do’s and don’ts when travelling to South Africa: General Tips
In a series of articles we will be looking at the do’s and don’ts of travel to South Africa, a land of incredible beauty, colourful cultures (It is affectionately known as ‘the Rainbow nation’) vibrant cities and of course Africa’s proudest heritage – it’s wildlife!
Like any other country in the world, it has its splendours and its downside so, like travel to any other destination there are certain do’s and don’ts to be observed. In this article, we offer some travel advice and point out certain things that are best to avoid and a few that you should not fail to do when you have the chance to visit us.
We start with what to consider before even leaving and these would be what to pack and some things you should know about…
What to pack
The weather in South Africa is generally fairly hot by European standards but not exceptionally so, and the winters are considered to be generally mild. A range of clothing is advised but in summer winter clothing is not necessary so DON’T worry about it. In summer most South Africans wear light short-sleeved shirts and shorts or short skirts with sandals so DO pack these. Winter clothing will usually be no more than a jersey, but if you are coming in Winter, or planning night drives on safari then DO bring a warm jacket too and long pants or dresses.
DO pack the right power! The UK and Australia, or most commonwealth countries, have the same power as South Africa where plugs are type C, D, M, and N. Most sockets take a type M plug, but good hotels will have adapters and various options available to visitors. A good universal plug is always a good thing to pack!
Pack plenty of sun blocks and DON’T forget to apply them! The sun shines most days of the year even in winter and so a daily ritual of applying a good sunblock is advisable. Bathing suits are a must – and if you are planning a game viewing, a phone camera probably won’t cut it – so DO bring a great camera!
If you are visiting malaria areas DO get advice from your doctor in advance on what preventative meds to take, but rest assured that most Game parks are not in such areas so check with your travel agent before you leave. Most over-the-counter medications found in western world countries are available here but DON’T forget to bring your chronic medications just in case.
Good things to know
DO conduct some research on the country you are to visit, not only for interest’s sake but to get good advice on its specific travel requirements and cultural nuances. Obviously, this type of information can be vast so we summarise just a few of the most important points here…
DO look into the travel requirements, like visas, vaccinations etc. These are always best obtained from your Travel Advisor as they can change all the time. For example, during the COVID pandemic, certain restrictions were far more severe than in normal times but most of these are already a thing of the past in South Africa. Some general information on Visa requirements though as supplied by the government can be found here – we hope you find it helpful.
The South African currency is Rands and the exchange rate to the dollar or pound makes travel to South Africa a pleasure for people with these currencies! Cash is required occasionally, usually for tipping ‘car guards,’ people who look after your car when parked at shops and malls, but generally not advised for security reasons, so DON’T carry a lot of cash around on your person.
Most venues and shops take credit cards and travel currency options and ATMs can be found all over, even in rural areas, to draw cash, so DO rather use these options.
Safety tips
South Africa does have a reputation as a high crime area and you DO need to be cognisant of this. You are perfectly safe though if you take the same sort of precautions that you would in most urban areas.
DON’T even consider walking alone at night in anywhere other than tourist areas, those within secured complexes and up-market residential areas. We advise that you DO consult with the hotel concierge before venturing out to check which are safe areas and when it is advisable to go there.
Even some of the very poor township areas can be visited for educational and interests sake if accompanied by professional tour guides and some of these are advertised packages so DO look into it. Once again good hotels have all the information you need on where to go and not to go, so DO ask and DON’T just assume!
There is much more on safety and security in this series so DO watch this space for do’s and don’ts when traveling to Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town.
Accommodation – the best – and the rest!
DON’T just book a B and B or Airbnb, thinking this is a cheaper way to go as you can be very disappointed. DO look into the superb, luxurious hotels and very affordable self-catering and long-stay accommodations offered by the ANEW group of hotels throughout South Africa.
We can assist you with everything you need to know before embarking on your trip and ensure that your stay in this beautiful country is as memorable and enjoyable as any vacation that you will experience anywhere in the world. DO contact us to learn more and DON’T forget those swim trunks and your camera!
