Travel information

Visa Requirements

If you are subject to visa requirements, you must apply and receive your visa BEFORE your departure for South Africa. Visas are NOT issued at South African ports of entry and if you arrive without a visa, immigration officials will refuse you entry to South Africa.

You will need the following: a valid visa, if required, sufficient funds, return ticket, Yellow fever certificates are required if the journey starts or entails passing through the yellow fever belt of Africa or South America.

• First check the current validity of your passport. All travellers will need a passport valid for at least 6 months following your departure date from South Africa.
• Secondly make sure your passport has two blank passport pages in the visa section, allowing for any necessary stamps upon arrival and departure.
• Finally confirm if you need a valid visa.

Keep a photocopy of your passport with you in a separate place to your passport.

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel, medical insurance and medical advice before travelling to South Africa.

Safety tips for travelers in South Africa

Crime in South Africa, like many other places in today's world, can be a problem, but all you really need to do is take the usual sensible precautions and follow some basic safety rules.

Know where you're going before you set off, particularly at night, watch your possessions, don't walk alone in dodgy areas, lock your doors at night.

Like anywhere else, there are some areas of the major cities which are known to be more risky than others. It is easy to avoid these and still have a good time.

If you cannot avoid such areas, then avoid wearing visible jewellery or carrying cameras and bags over your shoulder. Keep mobile phones and wallets tucked away where no one can see them.