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South Africa, also known as the Rainbow Nation, is easily one of the most beautiful and exotic places on Earth. From the dramatic landscapes and majestic wildlife to the diverse cultures and eccentric art, South Africa truly has it all. This unique and diverse country is on every traveler’s bucket-list— or at least it should be. If you’ve finally decided to check the Rainbow Nation off your travel list, there are a few essential things you should know first.
So before you start packing your bags, take a look at our list below.
You’ll need more than just a couple of days
South Africa is approximately five times the size of the UK, so don’t expect to see it all in a couple of days. If you’re on a relatively tight schedule, it’s best to split up the trip either by visiting Cape Town and The Garden Route, Johannesburg and north to Kruger, or the Drakensberg Mountains and Durban. These are the bigger cities and the main attractions that tourists usually opt for.
To fully enjoy this dream destination, you’ll want to create a detailed itinerary ahead of time. You’ll find plenty of online guides, websites, and other useful sources like this article where you can learn about the various activities, attractions, and adventures that you can experience in Cape Town or any of South Africa’s beautifully breathtaking cities. By doing your homework, you’ll be able to plan the perfect trip based on your needs, budget, schedule, and preferences.
You may need a visa
As with any other country, you’ll need a current passport to visit South Africa, but whether or not you need a visa depends on your home country. European citizens, Australians, Canadians, Americans, and New Zealanders can visit the Rainbow Nation for 90 days without a visa. To check if you need one, look on your government’s official website or inquire at the embassy. Alternatively, you can head to the website of the South African Department of Home Affairs where you’ll find detailed information on which nationalities need a visa, as well as how to obtain it.
Language isn’t an issue if you speak English
Known for its ethnic diversity, the Rainbow Nation is home to many ethnic groups such as the Afrikaners, the Nguni group, and the Malays. This diversity extends to the country’s spoken languages, as there are at least 10 official languages in South Africa including English, Zulu, and Afrikaans. Luckily, most natives speak English, either as a first or second language, which means that you won’t have trouble communicating there if you speak English.
Although the language won’t be a barrier, it always pays to learn a few basic words and phrases in the country’s mother language, but since South Africa doesn’t have just one, you will have to do some research into which languages are spoken in which parts of the country, as not everyone speaks all of them.
Beware of pickpockets
South Africa is very tourist-friendly and the people there are extremely warm and welcoming but, just as it usually is in most countries topping traveler’s lists worldwide, pickpockets and scammers are not uncommon in the Rainbow Nation. To stay on the safe side and avoid unfortunate incidents that may ruin your trip, don’t pack fancy or expensive clothes, electronics, or jewelry. Also, don’t flaunt your cash when dealing with street vendors, or at any time really in South Africa.
Renting a car is the best way to get around
With the exception of the Gautrain, public transportation in South Africa isn’t doesn’t exactly compared to that of developed countries. Taxis aren’t as readily available as they are in other places and the country doesn’t have a solid underground system either. While you can get an Uber in all the big cities, the best way to get around the Rainbow Nation is perhaps by renting a car.
Having your own vehicle will give you the freedom to explore the country at your own pace, just remember that South Africans drive on the left-hand side of the road. You should also keep the safety precautions we mentioned earlier in mind when renting or driving a car. This means that you should avoid driving after dark if possible and try not to go off the beaten track. Also, you shouldn’t keep anything of value in the vehicle, and be sure to get full insurance protection before signing that rental lease.
So there you have it! These are some of the most essential things you should know before you head off to the Rainbow Nation. Now, you should be ready to embark on your grand African adventure. So go ahead and book those plane tickets, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime, one that’s packed with incredible scenery, warm people, great food, and some of the best places to see wildlife in the world.