South Africa

Government advisories

• ☐ United States: level 2/4 — Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
• ☐ United Kingdom: level 1/4
• ☐ Canada: level 2/4 — Exercise a high degree of caution

Health notices

• ☐ Global Measles (level 1)
• ☐ Tap water: generally safe to drink

Entry requirements

☐ The visa policy of South Africa is how the South African government determines who may and may not enter South Africa.

☐ Passport valid 1+ months beyond your stay

Practical

• ☐ Plug type C/M/N, 230V — bring an adapter if yours differs
• ☐ Drives on the left
• ☐ Emergency (police): 10 111
• ☐ Emergency (ambulance): 10 177
• ☐ Emergency (fire): 10 177
• ☐ Money: The currency is the rand, denoted by the symbol "R" (ISO code: ZAR). It is divided into 100 cents (c). Notes are in denominations of R200, R100, R50, R20 and R10. Higher value notes are slightly larger in physical size than small value notes. All notes have a metallic security strip and a watermark. Two series of banknotes are in circulation and are legal tender in South Africa, the "Big Five" ser
• ☐ Tipping: Tipping is the norm in restaurants. Indeed, most of these businesses pay their staff the legal minimum-wage, relying on customer tips to bring staff incomes up to live-able levels. Tips of around 10% of the bill are considered the norm but you may refuse to tip if the food and/or service were below par. Please note some restaurants management shares all "official" tips, you may want to rather give

Before you go

General trip-prep, not specific to South Africa — the same short list applies anywhere.

• ☐ Register with your embassy's traveler program if one exists
• ☐ Check your passport's validity and blank-page requirements on your destination's official entry-rules page
• ☐ Photograph/screenshot your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
• ☐ Download offline maps for your destination
• ☐ Confirm your bank/card issuer knows you're traveling
• ☐ Check whether your phone plan needs a travel add-on or a local SIM