South Africa
Big Five safaris, the Cape Town vibe, and the legendary Garden Route — your complete guide to South Africa.
South Africa at a Glance
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Flair
Breathtaking, full of contrasts, and seriously packed with adventure.
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Best Time to Visit
October through March — though it varies a bit by region
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Trip Length
At least two weeks, but three weeks is ideal if you want to hit the classic highlights
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Currency
South African Rand (R). Cards are accepted almost everywhere — bring a little cash for tips
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Tipping
10–15% is standard at restaurants. Parking attendants and gas station staff also expect a small tip.
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Getting Around
A rental car is absolutely essential. Public transport won't get you far outside the cities.
Orientation
Where is South Africa?
As you might expect, South Africa sits at the very southern tip of Africa. To the north, it borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland. And right in the middle of the country, there’s a small landlocked nation — Lesotho. Think of it like Vatican City inside Italy.
South Africa is nearly four times the size of Germany, yet has 20 million fewer people living there.
Here’s something most people don’t know: the country actually has three capital cities. Cape Town is the one everyone’s heard of — Bloemfontein and Pretoria, not so much.
And the landscape? Seriously diverse: deserts, rainforests, mountains, and stunning beaches. South Africa really does have it all.
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FAQ
How much time should I plan for a trip to South Africa?
That really depends on what you want to see.
For Cape Town alone, we’d recommend at least three to five days — ideally a full week so you can take your time and soak up the views from Table Mountain without rushing.
If you want to add the Garden Route and a national park or two, plan on at least two weeks.
Honestly, longer is always better here. South Africa has so much to offer, and the more time you have, the more regions you can explore beyond the obvious highlights.
How do I pay in South Africa?
The currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). One euro gets you roughly 19 Rand, so your money goes pretty far.
Card payments are super common — you can even pay by card at most market stalls. That said, it’s worth carrying some cash too, especially in more remote areas. You’ll also want small bills for tipping parking attendants, gas station attendants, and the like — tipping is very much part of the culture.
ATMs are easy to find throughout South Africa, so withdrawing cash isn’t an issue. Just make sure you select billing in Rand — otherwise you’ll get hit with unnecessarily bad exchange rates.
What language is spoken in South Africa?
South Africa has eleven official languages, but English gets you everywhere. It’s the language of government and is widely spoken as a first or second language across the country — so communication really won’t be a problem.
