South Africa: what you need to know before your trip

Want a suggestion for a spectacular destination that offers activities for all tastes, great food, welcoming people, is easy to get to and get around, and won’t cost you a fortune?

South Africa! We traveled across the country from east to west – take a look at our itinerary – and if I said we really liked South Africa, I’d be lying. We absolutely LOVED it; it was one of the most memorable trips of our lives and one I hold in a very special place in my heart.

Of all the countries I’ve visited (and there are more than 50), when someone asks me for a destination that has it all – from museums to bungee jumping, wildlife to nightlife, wineries and beaches, hiking and incredible landscapes, and that is also easy to reach and budget-friendly – the answer comes right away: South Africa.

Here on the blog you’ll find plenty of content about South Africa: complete itinerary, a detailed guide to Cape Town, information about Kruger safaris, and this post with everything you need to know before traveling to South Africa. Check it out!

If you’re looking for another safari destination, check out our post on Kenya and Tanzania!

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What to do in South Africa

South Africa is one of the largest countries in Africa, so you’ll need to carefully plan your itinerary to make the most of your visit.

But even with limited time, if you plan well you can do a lot and turn those long-held dreams into reality. Take a look at our 20-day itinerary through South Africa and the detailed guide to Cape Town: it covers landscapes, safaris, beaches, wineries, museums, and plenty of adventures to suit all interests – and best of all, with a direct flight from São Paulo and one of the best value-for-money trips at the moment.

I would say that a trip to South Africa should include – and in fact, our itinerary had a little bit of everything:

– wildlife, on safaris in national parks such as Kruger and Addo;
– culture and gastronomy in the country’s main cities, Johannesburg and Cape Town;
– stunning scenery along the Blyde River Canyon and the Garden Route (Panoramic Route and Garden Route);
– visiting one of the best wine regions in the world, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, and Paarl.

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Things to know before visiting South Africa

How to get to South Africa?

There are many international flights to Johannesburg and Cape Town from major hubs in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Some airlines also operate direct flights from South America. Routes change frequently, so it’s always best to check when planning your trip. Here on the blog there’s a post about travel planning, with a detailed section on how to use Google Flights to find the best connections and fares.

On our trip, we flew with TAAG via Luanda, Angola, to Johannesburg. It was the worst airline experience I’ve ever had (and I’ve visited over 50 countries and flown with some pretty unusual carriers). The planes were very old, cabin maintenance was rough, and I honestly wasn’t sure I’d make it to my destination. In the end, everything worked out and here I am telling the story. Would I fly with them again? Let’s just say that if I had another option, I wouldn’t choose TAAG again. But for context: their last recorded fatal accident was in 2007, so in the end it’s a personal choice.

Other alternatives include Ethiopian Airlines (with a stopover in Addis Ababa – we flew with them on our trip to Kenya and Tanzania), as well as airlines with hubs in Europe and the Middle East. We’ve also flown Emirates on trips to Japan and Southeast Asia. You’ll find reviews of these airlines in the recommended posts.

In summary: flights to South Africa are available from different parts of the world, either direct or with connections. Routes are constantly updated, so always double-check options when booking.

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Best time to visit South Africa

South Africa is a year-round destination. As I always say: The best time to visit a place is when you can go! So don’t miss out on South Africa just because your available dates don’t match what others recommend. The best trip is the one you actually take.

But if you have flexibility, the best time to go to South Africa depends on the type of experience you’re looking for.

In general, the best seasons to visit are spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May), when the weather is milder and there are fewer tourists. During these months, cities like Cape Town (see our complete Cape Town itinerary) have pleasant days with less wind, and national parks offer good conditions for wildlife viewing.

In summer (December to February), visitor numbers rise, especially in Cape Town and along the Garden Route. It is also the rainy season in the northeast, where Kruger Park is located (here are our tips for going on safari in Kruger) and in other reserves. Safaris still take place, with the added advantage that this is the season when many cubs are born. We went on safari in Kruger and Addo in January: the vegetation was green and lush, and we saw countless animals. It was our first safari experience in Africa and unforgettable.

Winter (June to August) brings cooler temperatures, especially at night and in the mountains, but it is the best season for safaris, since the dry vegetation makes it easier to spot animals near rivers and waterholes. On another trip, we went on safari in July in the Serengeti (Tanzania), and we found that the dry season really does make animal sightings easier. If that’s your main goal and you can choose, I recommend traveling in the dry season.

In the end, the decision of when to visit South Africa depends on your goals and availability. We were there in the summer, between December and January, and we enjoyed it a lot—even while sharing Cape Town with many other tourists.

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How to get around within South Africa?

The best way to travel within South Africa is by renting a car for short and medium distances, or by flying for long distances.

On our twenty-day trip through South Africa, we explored two major regions of the country. First, we visited the northeast, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, the Panoramic Route (Graskop and Blyde River Canyon), and the Kruger Park. Then we traveled south, going from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, passing through the Stellenbosch wine region, the Garden Route, and Addo Elephant Park. We rented a car in each of these regions and flew between them.

For the first part of the trip, we rented a car on the last day of our stay in Pretoria and returned it at Nelspruit Airport (the closest airport to the Crocodile Bridge entrance of the Kruger National Park). In the second part, we picked up another rental car at Cape Town Airport and returned it at Port Elizabeth Airport at the end of the trip. Click here to see our complete Cape Town itinerary.

We flew from Nelspruit to Cape Town with South African, a direct flight on an Embraer 190 aircraft, manufactured in my hometown, São José dos Campos. At the end of the trip, we flew from Port Elizabeth to Johannesburg with British Airways, and from there began another saga with TAAG back to São Paulo — two terrifying flights on very old planes, but we arrived safe and sound.

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Is it worth renting a car in South Africa?

Yes, it is definitely worth renting a car in South Africa.

Except for the days you spend in Cape Town and Johannesburg, where you can easily get around with public transport, Uber, or taxis, I don’t see how you could visit South Africa with a minimum level of comfort without a rental car.

If you’re not in a hurry, you can travel at a slower pace using public transport and transfers. But if, like us, you have limited vacation days and want to make the most of them, renting a car is definitely the best option – especially if you’re traveling with more than two people. Do the math and see what works best for your trip.

Another alternative is to use major cities as bases and take day trips, traveling between them by bus or plane. There are several day trip options starting from Johannesburg or Cape Town. Take a look at the table below and see if this option works for you:

What it's like to drive in South Africa

In South Africa, traffic follows the so-called “English hand”: you drive on the left side of the road, and the steering wheel is on the right side of the car. For us, it was quite an adventure – the first few kilometers are challenging! In our case, my husband took on this task, but having a good co-pilot is essential, because the natural instinct is to take the first turn and end up on the wrong side, lol. The adjustment comes quickly, though. Driving slowly and paying extra attention in the first few days makes a big difference until the “upside-down” world of left-hand driving starts to feel natural.

Another challenge is getting used to roundabouts: you must always enter from the left and drive clockwise – in other words, the opposite of what many of us are used to. It feels completely counterintuitive at first, but after a few mistakes and lots of laughs, you’ll be handling these reversed roundabouts like a pro.

Overall, the roads are good and well signposted. In urban areas, especially Johannesburg and Cape Town, it’s important to pay close attention, just as you would in any big city: lots of cars, pedestrians crossing outside the crosswalk, missing signs, traffic lights not working – in short, the usual urban chaos.

Using Waze or Google Maps is essential. Download offline maps before your trip, and if your mobile plan doesn’t include international coverage, get an eSIM (virtual SIM card). Internet access and Google Maps are things you really don’t want to be without. Use my coupon code DANAE2375 on Airalo for $3.00 off.

See our itinerary and suggestions here what to do in 4 days in Cape Town!

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Is it expensive to travel in South Africa?

The South African currency is the Rand. In August 2025, the exchange rate was US$1.00 = 17.67 Rands.

In general, our impression was that traveling in South Africa is not as expensive as many other popular international destinations, considering trips of the same standard.

Cities like Johannesburg and Cape Town tend to have higher prices for accommodation and restaurants. Even so, it’s possible to find good value for money, especially when compared with large cities in Europe or North America.

We carried some US dollars in cash, which we exchanged for Rands at currency exchange bureaus, but we paid for most expenses with multi-currency credit cards (we use Wise and Revolut), which are widely accepted. Cash was only needed for small purchases, street food, and a few attractions that didn’t accept cards.

Is it safe to travel in South Africa?

Overall, we found South Africa to be a safe country to visit. We didn’t have any problems during our trip. From what we’ve heard from friends who traveled before and after us, their experiences were also positive, especially in tourist areas such as Cape Town (check out what to do in Cape Town here), the Garden Route, and the national parks. In fact, in the parks and private reserves, everything feels very calm and safe, since visitors are there specifically to see wildlife.

Even so, it is essential to take the same precautions you would anywhere in the world: avoid walking in deserted areas at night, don’t leave valuables visible inside the car, avoid wearing flashy jewelry or accessories, and stay alert for pickpockets in crowded places. At night in Cape Town, we used Uber (which works very well) or drove our rental car, both without issues. I don’t recommend driving on roads after dark, as there is a real risk of animals crossing unexpectedly.

According to official data from the South African Police Service (SAPS), the country has higher crime rates than the world average, but incidents are mainly concentrated in peripheral areas that tourists rarely visit. The U.S. Government Travel Advisory indicates that crimes against tourists in well-known areas are uncommon.

In practice, with care and common sense, it is possible to travel around the country safely and enjoy the experience.

Check out all the tips for planning a safari in Kruger Park – we went, and it was amazing!

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Traveling to South Africa with kids

Yes, South Africa is a great destination for families!

When we traveled with our daughters, who were 7 and 8 years old at the time (here is our complete itinerary), they enjoyed every moment of the trip. The country offers activities for children of all ages, making it an exciting experience to share as a family.

Imagine your child’s joy at seeing, in the wild and just a few feet away, the same animals that appear in storybooks and whose stuffed versions decorate bedrooms everywhere. I’m not sure who was more excited, my daughters or me, watching their reactions.

In national parks managed by SanParks (the official body of the South African government), the minimum age for joining official park game drives is 6 years old. However, it is possible to visit the parks in your own car, and in that case there is no age limit. This means you can enter parks like Kruger and Addo with children of any age in your vehicle, drive along the internal roads, and you’ll see LOTS of animals. A lot. Click here for our post on how to go on safari in Kruger Park, where I share more details about the safari experience.

At accommodations inside the national parks, like the ones we stayed at in Kruger and Addo, there is no minimum age. We saw several families there with babies and young children. For private reserves and hotels, I recommend checking the rules for each place in advance.

Want more suggestions for safaris in Africa? Check out our itinerary in Kenya and Tanzania, where we went on safari in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

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To find out more about our itinerary in South Africa

Here you’ll find a detailed account of our 20-day trip to South Africa, and just below is the Google Maps map with our detailed route to help you plan your own trip.

On the map you can see everything we did, where we stayed, and the highlights of the journey. Each area we visited is marked in a different color layer. If you’re not familiar with it, here I explain how I use Google MyMaps to plan my trips.

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Let’s Stay Connected!

Have questions or thoughts to share? Reach out on social — I love chatting about all things travel! 😉

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