South Africa
South Africa delivers Big Five safaris, two oceans and a world-class wine country in a single trip. Kruger's bushveld, Cape Town's Table Mountain and the self-drive Garden Route form the classic loop, while the Drakensberg, Zululand and the Karoo add space to roam. For UK visitors, excellent food and wine are remarkably good value.
Overview
Few countries pack in such contrasts: Kruger's bushveld in the north-east, the subtropical Indian Ocean coast around Durban, the Drakensberg's basalt walls, and the Cape's fynbos, vineyards and cold Atlantic surf. South Africa has three capitals — Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein — and twelve official languages. The classic first trip spends four or five days in Cape Town and the Winelands, drives the Garden Route east towards Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), then flies to Kruger or a private reserve on its edge. With more time, add Durban, the Drakensberg or neighbouring Eswatini.
Distances are huge and public transport limited, so most visitors self-drive on generally good roads or fly between hubs, which makes the trip feel like a road trip with a safari attached. Prices are moderate for UK visitors and wine is cheap. The time difference from the UK is only one or two hours, so there is no jet lag. Street awareness matters in cities, and the country's apartheid history is unavoidable and worth confronting at Robben Island, the Apartheid Museum and in Soweto. Many first-timers are surprised by how cold and wet Cape winters can be.
Map of South Africa
Top 5 highlights
- 1Wildlife
Kruger National Park
Nearly two million hectares of bushveld with the Big Five, wild dogs and more than 500 bird species. Self-drive between fenced rest camps on a modest budget, or stay in a private reserve on its unfenced western edge.
- 2Nature
Table Mountain
The flat-topped massif above Cape Town, reached by a rotating cableway or a steep climb of around two hours up Platteklip Gorge. Its slopes hold an astonishing density of fynbos plants found nowhere else.
- 3Nature
Garden Route
Roughly 200 km of coast between Mossel Bay and Storms River, with Knysna's lagoon, Plettenberg Bay's beaches and the forested gorges of the Tsitsikamma section of Garden Route National Park. Drive it slowly over several days.
- 4Food
Cape Winelands
Cape Dutch homesteads and vineyards beneath jagged mountains around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, all within an hour of Cape Town. Expect superb Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, and some of the country's best restaurants.
- 5Adventure
uKhahlamba-Drakensberg
A towering basalt escarpment along the Lesotho border, UNESCO-listed for its scenery and thousands of San rock paintings. Hike to the top of Tugela Falls on the Amphitheatre, or walk the valleys of the central Berg.
Biggest cities
Johannesburg
Gritty, creative and the country's economic engine. Visit Soweto, Constitution Hill and the Apartheid Museum, then eat and drink in Maboneng or Rosebank before heading to Kruger.
Cape Town
Spread beneath Table Mountain, with Robben Island, the Bo-Kaap's painted houses, Cape Point and the penguins of Boulders Beach close by. The country's most rewarding city.
Durban
A warm Indian Ocean city of surf beaches, a long promenade and South Africa's strongest Indian influence; come for bunny chow, then move on to the Drakensberg or Zululand.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
Holiday regions in South Africa
These areas have their own season and weather — see their guides for sea temperatures, resorts and flights.
When to go to South Africa
Best time: Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov.
Average climate in Cape Town
Festivals & events
- JanCape Town Minstrel Carnival
On 2 January, Tweede Nuwe Jaar, satin-suited troupes of the Kaapse Klopse march through Cape Town with banjos, drums and painted umbrellas, a tradition with 19th-century roots.
- Jun–JulNational Arts Festival
Africa's largest arts festival takes over the university town of Makhanda (Grahamstown) for around ten days in late June and July, with theatre, music, comedy and a sprawling fringe.
- Sep–OctHermanus Whale Festival
Held in late September or early October, when southern right whales gather to calve close to the cliffs of Hermanus, about two hours from Cape Town.
How much does South Africa cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Bobotie
Cape Malay spiced minced meat with dried fruit, baked under a savoury egg custard and served with yellow rice and chutney.
Braai
Far more than a barbecue: a social ritual of boerewors sausage, lamb chops and sosaties grilled over wood coals, with pap and chakalaka.
Bunny chow
Durban's hollowed-out loaf filled with fiery mutton, chicken or bean curry, created by the city's Indian community and eaten by hand.
Getting around
Most visitors hire a car: roads are generally good, distances long, and you drive on the left. Cheap domestic flights connect Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, George and the Kruger area. Uber and Bolt work well in cities and are the sensible choice after dark. Long-distance coaches fill the gaps, and the Gautrain links Johannesburg's main airport with Sandton and Pretoria.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CDMN230V — bring a UK-to-C/D/M/N adapter
- Emergency numbers
- All emergencies from mobiles: 112
- Ambulance and fire: 10177
- Police: 10111
- National Sea and Rescue Institute: 112 or +27 87 094 9774
- Wilderness Search and Rescue: +27 21 937 0300
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +27
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Tip 10–15% in restaurants. Fuel stations are full-service, so tip attendants a few rand, and give car guards a small coin when you leave.
- Etiquette
- Greetings matter: ask how someone is before making a request. Visit townships with community-run guides rather than on bus tours, and expect frank conversations about race and history.
- Main airports
- O. R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), Johannesburg; Cape Town International Airport (CPT), Cape Town; King Shaka International Airport (DUR), Durban
Visas & entry for South Africa
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days for business or tourism.
Check the expiry date of your visa or entry stamp and ensure you do not overstay.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- CholeraHepatitis BMeaslesRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- Malaria risk in some areas
- There is a risk of malaria in the low altitude areas of Mpumalanga and Limpopo particularly those bordering Mozambique, Estwatini and Zimbabwe; this includes the Kruger National Park: antimalarial tablets recommended.
- There is a low risk of malaria in the far northeast of KwaZulu-Natal and in designated areas of Mpumalanga, Limpopo during the transmission season, September to May: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
- There is a very low risk of malaria in designated areas of northeast KwaZulu-Natal during the transmission season, September to May: awareness of risk and bite avoidance recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in South Africa
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Wed 4 Nov 2026 | Local Government Elections |
| Wed 16 Dec 2026 | Day of Reconciliation |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Day of Goodwill |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sun 21 Mar 2027 | Human Rights Day |
| Mon 22 Mar 2027 | Human Rights Day (observed) |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Family Day |
| Tue 27 Apr 2027 | Freedom Day |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Workers' Day |
| Wed 16 Jun 2027 | Youth Day |
| Mon 9 Aug 2027 | National Women's Day |
| Fri 24 Sep 2027 | Heritage Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Know before you go
- Book Kruger's SANParks rest camps months ahead for South African school holidays, especially December and January, when camps and coastal towns fill up.
- The Table Mountain cableway closes in strong wind or thick cloud, so go up on the first clear, calm morning rather than saving it for your last day.
- Use Uber or Bolt after dark rather than walking, keep valuables out of sight in parked cars, and check the FCDO travel advice before you travel.
South Africa travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit South Africa?
The best time to visit South Africa is generally Mar–Apr, Sep–Nov. Peak months are March, April, September, October and November. Average highs in Cape Town range from 18°C to 27°C across the year.
How much does a trip to South Africa cost per day?
Roughly £40 a day on a tight budget, £90 mid-range and £220+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in South Africa?
South African rand (ZAR).
What plug type does South Africa use?
Type C, D, M and N sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in South Africa?
Traffic drives on the left in South Africa — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in South Africa?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for South Africa?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days for business or tourism. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for South Africa before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for South Africa?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Cholera, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies and Tuberculosis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
