Travel Hints

Travel to South Africa

Your first point of entry to South Africa is arrival at the Johannesburg International Airport. This airport is home to 45 airlines from all five continents. Flights from Europe are normally overnight. A direct flight from U.S.A. to Johannesburg or Cape Town takes approximately 15 hours; and a flight between London and Johannesburg takes approximately 12 hours.

Time Difference

South Africa operates two hours before Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year. This means that South Africa is:
one hour ahead of Central European Winter Time;
seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Winter Time;
seven hours behind Australian Central Time.

Currency

The currency for South Africa is called Rand. Foreign currency can be exchanged at local banks. Most major credit cards such as MasterCard, Visa, Amercin Express and Diner Club are widely accepted. With the current exchange rate in your favour, you'll find South Africa an inexpensive destination.

Best time to visit South Africa

South Africa is an all year-round destination, experiencing the highest number of 'sunshine hours' per year than any other country.

Although the climate varies from region to region, it's normally mild and sunny throughout the year.

  • Warm months: September to April

  • Cold months: May to August


    • What to Pack

    For your own comfort and ease we suggest you keep your luggage to a minimum. Clothing should be casual, comfortable, wash and wear (although hotels offer a quick laundry turnaround), jackets and ties are required for most city hotel restaurants and golf clubs.

    Practical items to bring:

  • Shorts and cotton t-shirts.
  • Comfortable walking shoes.
  • Swimming costume and beach towel.
  • Sunblock, lip cream, wide brimmed hat, sunglasses.
  • Binoculars, cameras and accessories.
  • Fleece or sweater and warm jackets for game drives or cool evenings.
  • Depending on the region you plan to visit, malaria prohpylactics.


    • When to Go

    • The northern regions are good destinations in the winter months as game viewing is at its best and the temperatures are very mild (maximum 20-23ºC). There is very little winter rainfall in the north.


    • The southern regions are summer destinations. The summer rainfall is low and temperatures reach 28-30ºC or higher on beautiful days.


    • Mid-August to mid-September is definitely the months to visit Namaqualand in the Western and Northern Cape Provinces. This is the time of the year that the desert-like terrain transforms into a picturesque landscape of flowers, enchanting thousands of visitors.


    • The eastern region have mild weather, warm waters and excellent game viewing opportunities to offer all year.


    • Winter is generally mild, except in the highest parts of the country.


    • South Africa's annual holidays fall in the summer months (December/Januray) and this causes tourist destinations to be overcrowded. To avoid disappointment we suggest you plan well ahead of time and check availability with us.

    Passport and Visa

    All visitors must have a valid passport and in some cases a visa. Please remember that your passport must have at least one unused page when presenting your passport for endorsements'. Failure of this requirement will result in refusal of entry to South Africa. This requirement is in line with all major global travel destinations.

    Eastern Cape Climate Chart

    Month Temperature
    Daily Average
    Maximum     		Daily Average
    Minimum
    January 25 18
    February 25 18
    March 25 17
    April 23 14
    May 22 12
    June 20 9
    July 20 9
    August 20 10
    September 20 11
    October 21 13
    November 22 15
    December 24 16