South Africa Pre-Departure Guide
Country Information
Capital: Pretoria (administrative), Bloemfontein (judicial), and Cape Town (legislative)
Currency: South African Rand (ZAR)
Official languages: 11 official languages including English, Afrikaans, Zulu, and others
Population: Approximately 60 million
Government: Unitary parliamentary republic
Dialing code: +27
Emergency Number: 112
Time Zone: South Africa Standard Time (SAST), which is UTC+2.
Provinces or States: South Africa is divided into nine provinces.
National Animal: The springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) is the national animal of South Africa.
National Flower: The king protea (Protea cynaroides) is the national flower of South Africa.
National Bird: The blue crane (Grus paradisea) is the national bird of South Africa
South Africa is a country of remarkable contrasts, shaped by its diverse peoples, deep history, and complex socio-political landscape. Located at the southern tip of the African continent, it is home to over 60 million people and 11 official languages, reflecting a rich tapestry of cultures and identities.
The country’s history is marked by colonisation, apartheid, and a hard-won transition to democracy in 1994, when Nelson Mandela became its first Black president. Today, South Africa continues to navigate the legacies of inequality, while also being a regional leader in commerce, culture, and environmental stewardship.
Geographically, South Africa spans a wide range of ecosystems—from the highveld plateaus and Kalahari semi-desert to coastal forests and sub-tropical wetlands. It is a global hub for mining, with significant reserves of gold, platinum, and other minerals, and also has strong sectors in agriculture, manufacturing, and services.
South Africa's cities reflect its complexity: Cape Town blends natural beauty with deep historical divides; Johannesburg pulses with entrepreneurial energy and social tensions; and smaller towns and rural areas often carry the weight of underdevelopment and resilience in equal measure. South Africa is not easily defined—it is dynamic, diverse, and constantly in motion.
Entry Conditions
Australian Passport holders do not need a visa to enter South Africa if you're a touristvisiting for up to 90 days
If You Are Travelling with Children (under 18 years old) See Requirements Below
Children travelling on a valid passport with one or both parents are no longer required to present a birth certificate, parental consent letter and other supporting documentation.
However, this is still required for other situations, including unaccompanied minors (under the age of 18) travelling, legal guardianship or for dual nationals travelling on their South African passport (see the Dual Citizenship section for more information).
To check the requirements for other situations, such as legal guardianship, unaccompanied travelling minors or for dual nationals travelling on their South African passport, visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website.
If travelling from other Southern African countries to South Africa, you'll need at least two blank pages in your passport.
For more information about up to date health, safety and entry requirements for South Africa please visit https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/south-africa
Culture
The people of South Africa, are known for their rich cultural heritage, complex history, and ongoing efforts for social transformation. Here are some key characteristics that describe the people of South Africa:
Cultural Diversity: South Africa is incredibly diverse, with a mix of ethnicities, languages, and cultural traditions. Major ethnic groups include Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaner, English, Indian, and others.
Languages: South Africa has 11 official languages, including Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English.This linguistic diversity reflects the multicultural nature of the country.
Apartheid Legacy: South Africa's history is marked by apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination that ended in 1994. The struggle against apartheid and the leadership of figures like Nelson Mandela remain central to the national identity.
Multiracial Society: South Africa is often referred to as the "Rainbow Nation" due to its diverse population and the coming together of various racial and ethnic groups.
Religious Pluralism: South Africa has a variety of religious beliefs, with the majority holding a Christian faith (80%), Islam (1.5%) and traditional African religions (5-10%).
Cuisine: South African cuisine is a fusion of influences, with dishes like braai (barbecue), bobotie (spiced meat dish), and bredie (stew) being popular.
HIV/AIDS Crisis: South Africa has faced a significant HIV/AIDS epidemic, and efforts to combat the disease remain ongoing.
Sports and Identity: Sports like rugby, cricket, and soccer are integral to South African culture and have played a role in fostering national unity.
Weather
Spring (September – November)
Temperatures rise steadily; vegetation becomes lush and colourful.
Cape Town/Western Cape: 25 - 10°C
Johannesburg/Pretoria (Gauteng): 28 - 12°C
Kruger Park/Lowveld: 30 - 16°C
Summer (December – February)
Hot weather nationwide; rainy season for northern and eastern regions, dry in the Western Cape.
Cape Town/Western Cape: 30 - 15°C (hot, dry)
Johannesburg/Pretoria: 32 - 17°C (hot, afternoon thunderstorms)
Kruger Park/Lowveld: 35-20°C (hot, humid, regular thunderstorms_
Autumn (March – May)
Mild and stable; rainfall decreases, landscapes remain green initially before drying out. Mostly dry, mild days; increasingly cooler nights towards May.
Cape Town/Western Cape: 26 - 12°C
Johannesburg/Pretoria: 26 - 10°C
Kruger Park/Lowveld: 30 - 15°C
Winter (June – August)
Cool, dry weather across most regions; Western Cape experiences rainy conditions. Cold mornings and evenings inland; dry and sunny during the day.
Cape Town/Western Cape: 18 - 7°C (cool, wet)
Johannesburg/Pretoria: 20 - 4°C (dry, cool days and cold nights)
Kruger Park/Lowveld: 26 - 8°C (dry, sunny, chilly mornings)
Currency and Banking
Currency
Name: South African Rand (ZAR)
Denominations: Notes are issued in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 rand. Coins come in 1, 2, and 5 rand, and 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents.
ATMs
Are available in most major cities including Cape Town and Johannesburg, dispensing South African Rand. Most ATMs accept international cards.
Credit Cards
Widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Visa and MasterCard are most commonly accepted.
Mobile Phones & Wifi
Mobile Phones:
Mobile Networks: South Africa boasts several mobile network operators, including Vodacom, MTN, and Cell C. You can expect extensive mobile phone coverage in urban areas, towns, and along major highways. In national parks and wilderness areas coverage may vary.
International Roaming: Check with your home mobile carrier about international roaming options and rates for South Africa. South Africa is often included on international roaming plans (Telstra, Vodafone and Optus)
Wi-Fi:
Hotels and Accommodations: Most hotels, guesthouses, and accommodations offer good Wi-Fi connection. The quality and speed of the Wi-Fi connection are generally good, ensuring a reliable internet connection.
Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks are available in various locations, including airports, shopping malls, and city centres. Their availability and reliability may vary, but larger cities typically have good coverage.
Data SIM Cards: If you need constant internet access while on the move, you can purchase a data-only SIM card from local mobile network operators.
Adapters & Power
South Africa operates on a voltage of 230V AC and a frequency of 50Hz. This voltage is the same as Australia.
Plugs:
Type M – Large round pins (3-pin)
This is the most common plug in South African homes and older buildings.
Type C – Europlug (2-pin)
Common for phone chargers, laptops, and modern electronics. Widely accepted in newer sockets and hotels.
Type N – New standard plug (3-pin, smaller than Type M)
Introduced as the official South African standard. Becoming more common in newer constructions but not yet universal.
Gratuities and Tipping
Tipping customs in South Africa are well-established, and gratuities are an important part of the service industry. Tipping is customary and expected for good service in various situations.
Restaurants: In restaurants, a service charge is not included in the bill. It's customary to leave a tip of around 10% to 15% of the total bill's amount for good service.
Cafés and Bars: Tipping in cafés and bars is appreciated but not always mandatory. Leaving small change or rounding up the bill is common for casual places. For table service in bars, you can tip 10% of the total.
Lodges/Hotels: Tipping lodge staff, in particular yours guides is customary. Tipping amounts for your guide and lodges staff varies on the standard of accommodation you are staying at. For a recommendation on tipping please contact your consultant who can give you a guideline
Taxis and Transportation: Tipping taxi drivers is common, and it's polite to round up the fare or add around 10% of the fare as a tip.
Tour Guides and Drivers: Tipping tour guides and drivers on guided tours and excursions is customary. The amount can vary, but around 10% to 15% of the tour cost is a general guideline.
Currency: South Africa uses the South African Rand (ZAR). Small denominations of ZAR are convenient for tipping.
Claim Your VAT Back
Vat is a sales tax at a rate of 15% that is levied on the purchase of most goods in South Africa. If you are an international tourist you can claim the 15% VAT back on purchases made within South Africa.
When making a purchase, you must identify yourself as a foreigner to the seller and request a tax invoice for your purchase. If the amount purchased is in excess of R 5000.00, a name and permanent foreign address must appear on the invoice. If the amount is in excess of R10 000.00, a proof of payment such as a credit card receipt must be kept.
On your final departure from South Africa at one of the country’s main airports, the goods should be presented to a custom official in the departure hall at the designated VAT Refund Administrator counters.
Please not that at Cape Town International Airport, the inspection is only done in the arrival’s hall at the counters. Once the goods have been inspected you can present your claim at one of the marked VAT Refund Offices and present your passport, boarding pass and customs stamped tax invoice. Once a refund has been processed, it will be loaded onto a VAT Refund Card between three days and three months after departure, dependent on the amount. The card may be used to make purchase or cash withdrawals from any ATM bearing the MasterCard Acceptance Mark.
It is important to note that there are selected geographical regions where the use of the card is prohibited, please check the list on www.taxrefunds.co.za. If you are not able to process your VAT refund before leaving South Africa, you may submit your application as a postal refund claim.
The forms may be stamped by the customs officer of your home country, on your arrival or alternatively at any South African Representation Office provided that the goods are presented for inspection together with the relevant invoices.
VAT - Claim Your Tax Back