Exploring the southernmost region of Africa is for many an experience of a lifetime. South Africa is located right at the base and is one of the main economic powers of the continent. Johannesburg is the largest city in the country and also one of the most picturesque places to visit. Many visitors decide to head south towards the coastal city of Cape Town, another of South Africa’s iconic cities and a great place to enjoy beautiful beaches. Table Mountain National Park is also located here which makes for a great place to relax.
Along the vast coastline you’ll come across Port Elizabeth and East London, before heading towards the country’s busiest sea port Durban. With all year round great weather and plenty of museums, tourist attractions and safari reserves, many visit in the hope that they will see at least one of the big five animals – Lions, Elephants, Rhinos, Leopard and Buffalo. Our travel guide to South Africa will keep you up-to-date with all the latest information, travel tips and useful suggestions.
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Look over the South Africa travel guide topics listed below and take a look at each page for information on a specific aspect of travelling in South Africa.
Road Trips | Attractions | Travel FAQs |
South Africa is a wonderful country to explore and experience. As a melting pot of various African and European cultures, with a car rental you can better discover the different regions of this vast and vibrant country. A land of contrast and great adventure, enjoy the wonderful exotic animals in their natural habitats. These are the following recommendations for road trips whilst holidaying in South Africa.
As one of the most popular tourist destinations on the African continent, South Africa is very much in the limelight. With safari, adventure sports and memorable landscapes, the country is packed with things to do and see. So whether you are looking for a relaxing time by the beach, or a fun packed thrill in the Indian Ocean, the country has it all. Here are a few suggestions of things not to miss during your South Africa trip.
Africa and in particular southern Africa has been inhabited for thousands of years. Few archaeological artefacts remain of these periods but it is believed inhabitants were hunters, often gathering plants for food. In 1488, Portugal was the first European country to reach the southern tip of Africa and round it. Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias was seeking out a trade route to India and upon rounding the cape named it Cape of Storms – later becoming Cape of Good Hope. The first colony was however only founded in the 17th Century by Dutch settlers. This colony grew significantly with an influx of Protestants fleeing religious persecution in Europe. The British eventually occupied the Cape colony with numerous wars being fought between the Dutch (Boers) and the British, leading to the migration of the Dutch into Zulu occupied lands.
South Africa became extremely important to the British with the discovery of diamonds in the north and gold near Pretoria. The wars between the Dutch, British and Zulu’s intensified, with the British annexing all the Dutch territory and placing other countries under the British Protectorate. In the 20th Century the native population was treated as second-class citizens and segregated under Apartheid. This was introduced by the National Party after World War I.
Apartheid led to the South African leader Nelson Mandela being arrested and sentenced for his fight against the regime. He was eventually released in 1990 after spending almost 30 years in prison. Nelson Mandela went on to become the country’s president and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Modern South Africa has changed much and is by an large considered the continents main powerhouse, largely based around gold and mineral wealth.
Following you’ll find the answers to the most commonly asked questions from those who visit South Africa. These can be anything from visa requirement questions to currency concerns and time zones. Along with this list, we also cover other popular topics such as choosing the right car hire vehicle and much more. If after having read this section you still have a question then please contact one of our reservation agents for help.
All of our reservation agents have experience in dealing with trips to South Africa and the requirements for driving in this country. They’ll suggest and provide useful tips on maximising your holiday. Our travel tips page also provides invaluable information in regards to driving age restrictions, car categories, office locations and more.
It is sometimes difficult to choose what vehicle type to hire whilst on holiday. To make sure you choose the right vehicle for your trip, you need to take into consideration what you plan to do and where. If you’re looking at driving just in the cities, then a Mini or Compact car will be suitable. Otherwise, for rural areas we would recommend an SUV or large car with more powerful engines.
If you’re planning on visiting more than one city, then a vehicle from our Large car category is ideal for motorway driving. You should also take into consideration how many people are in your party, and how much luggage they’ll bring. If you plan on visiting with over five people, then consider one of the Vans – these are comfortable, spacious and provide plenty of storage space for all the belongings.
Consult our car hire category page for more information about all the benefits and drawbacks of each category, including maximum seating capacity and storage.
South Africa uses the South African Rand as its national currency (commonly abbreviated to R or ZAR). Money can be exchanged at any bank or currency exchange office – these can be found at airports or popular down town areas. It is not advisable to carry large quantities of cash upon your person. Money can be withdrawn from a cash ATM machine providing you have a PIN. Major restaurants, hotels and shops will accept payment by card, such as Mastercard or Visa. Consider carrying small amounts of cash as some smaller establishments do not accept card payments.
South Africa is within the GMT+2 time zone – otherwise also known as South African Standard Time. The country does not adhere to daylight saving time, therefore when the UK is on daylight saving time, South Africa becomes 3 hours ahead of the United Kingdom.
South Africa uses the same voltage and frequency as the United Kingdom – this being 220/230 volts and 50 hertz. The required plugs are however different from those in the UK, utilising a type M plug instead of a three pin plug. This means that you will require a adequate adapter should you wish to use your UK equipment in South Africa. Adapters can be purchased in travel shops or at major transport hubs, such as at airports.
If you are a British Citizen a visa is not required for travel to South Africa if your planned stay does not exceed 90 days. If you need assistance than you can contact the British High Commission in Pretoria, who will be able to guide you through any issues you may have. They can be contacted using the following details:
British High Commission Pretoria
255 Hill Street
Arcadia,
Pretoria 0028
Telephone: +27 12 421 7500
Email: pta.assistanceforbritishnationals@fco.gov.uk
You will come across various languages in South Africa. The more common languages are English, Afrikaans, Zulu, Tswana, Zhosa, Swati, Tsonga, Venda, Southern Ndebele and Sotho. English is the chosen language used in the media and metropolitan areas, whilst Zulu is spoken by around 23% of the population. The following basic Zulu phrases should help you during your holiday.
Hello - Sawubona
Good day - Okuhle day
Where is the restroom? - Iphi lokugezela?
Where is the Police Station? - Iphi esiteshini samaphoyisa?
Where is the hospital? - Lapho kuba isibhedlela??
Where is the ATM Machine? - Iphi ATM??
Thank you - Iphi ATM?
South Africa Airport Information
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