THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING SOUTH AFRICA
Today we are sharing things to know before visiting South Africa, including getting around South Africa, money save tips for South Africa, planning a trip to South Africa and when to go to South Africa. We also include some travel safety tips for South Africa and the best food in South Africa!
South Africa offers so many diverse experiences that make it one of the best countries to visit in the world. However, before you visit, there are a few things you need to know.
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Why do you want to visit South Africa?!
I want explore. the food. the people. looks amazing.
I wants to visits Cape Town, Johannesburg & Pretoria cities to knows more about the cultures & history of South Africa in 2023!
@aesthetic giraffes ;w; me too
I really wants to see the late Nelson Mandela's Statue & the Union Buildings in Pretoria!
I live there anddddd I don't like it at all I want to move off her e
South Africa is my no 1 country after traveling to 37 countries! Love it!
I worked and lived in Johannesburg for nearly 4 years. The mile high City of Gold is a vastly built up Metropolis with multi-cultural peoples. There are 11 languages spoken in S.A. the blend of accents is splended. From Brooklyn, Manhattan NYC, I fell in GODS LOVE THERE.
Wow, what an amazing experience to live there 😀
@@CreativeTravelGuide a LOT OF LIFE SITUATIONS MAKE US TRAVEL. MANY LANGUAGES OF MOST AFRICAN COUNTRIES MAKES AFRICAN DIVERSE
Did you by any chance work for etv
That is great
Good
Wow Thank you for this video!!
South Africa has varied landcapes. From deserts in north western part to the savvanahs of the northern parts to the tropics on the east coast to grasslands in the central parts
This great video really "Blows My Mine About South Africa" while finishing watching the video today @ home in April of 2021!
Drinking water from taps anywhere in South is very safe. The only time for buying bottled water is because South Africa is a vast country and distances from place to place could be a 100 kilometres or more
Thanks for the tip, that is great to know!
Well, it kinda depends.. Most places have safe tap water, mainly places with mountain rain water. But some places are a bit dodgy. And I'd recommend tourist eat yogurt before drinking any water at all. This is because yougurt will give you the resistance to any bacteria in the water that you might not be used to because it's not in your country
@@Stoffies123 stop lying, water is safe to drink anywhere in SA
@@etutorsdigitalschool2215 100💯✔
@@Stoffies123 please educate yourself more about SA. It has the safest tap water in the world. I’ll forgive you if you not from South Africa.
Thanks you so much for this great video about the beautiful cities,culture,society about South Africa in 2021!
Thanks so much for your positive feedback!
I have lived my whole life in SA and have never been on a safari, though I have been to nature reserves many times. There's no need to pay a fortune on a safari, of course, they probably offer a unique experience, but the following works just as well. I'd suggest renting a car (if you don't own one) and just going to wherever (Kruger, Marakele, Pilansberg, Addo, so many amazing choices), with family or a couple of friends. Of course, the best would be to go along with locals, whether on a safari or with acquaintances that live here. Just do your planning well. Find out which routes you can take with the car you have. Find out where to go, most reserves have extensive maps and planning to help you out. IMPORTANT!!! Use common sense. The animals are wild, and if you have your arm hanging out the window or whatnot, don't be upset when something takes a bite. Don't be dumb, be safe. Remember that whichever park you go to, belongs to the animals. You are only visiting. So respect the owners. Finally, enjoy. No matter how many times you go, each will be unforgettable. Really finally, it's too bad the video didn't mention hiking. There are some breathtaking routes. For examples, check out the link: www.getaway.co.za/travel-ideas/hiking-bucketlist-south-africa/ These are some of the difficult hikes, but you will find many shorter and easier hikes in these same places and elsewhere. They are all magnificent. I haven't been everywhere on the list, but some of my favourites are: Drakensberg, God's Window, Golden Gate. Places I still NEED to go are, Mkambati, Otter, Fish River Canyon, Ceres, Tsitsikamma, Blyde River Canyon... eish... too many to list. We really are blessed with choices. Really, really finally. Nowhere in the country have I been told to not drink tap water. Tap water is safe in the majority of towns.
Thank you for all your feedback and suggestions, it really helps our viewers ❤️
Spot on. Your advice to visitors to our country is much better than this video. We do drink tap water which is every safe almost everywhere but there are a few places miles from any town where it might be risky. Your advice to do a self-drive safari is very good. Only if you have a lot of money should you stay in the over-priced luxury lodges. The National Park lodges are very reasonably priced and it is fun searching for the animals yourself rather than a "ranger" from the private lodges who are armed with radio receivers to track the "chipped" animals.
Please is South Africa really save because I'm planning on relocating from Nigeria to South Africa
Is it safe? I’m talking about walking around and such
@@tinyfeet101 Depends on where you go. Every city and town has a more dangerous part, but that is the same for all countries. Basically, just be mindful of your safety, and you should be fine. Don't be reckless. If a place makes you feel unsafe, you probably shouldn't be there.
Awesome video planning my trip there now thank you so much
Thank you, have a great and safe trip!
Born and still living in Cape Town, South Africa. I have travelled my country for so long, and I still haven't done half of what's to offer. Love it here and thank your tips were all spot on, well done. I've never done a safari/game reserve yet due to the price, but its on my to-do list.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I hope you get to go on safari soon!
Come and do a Safari and stay at one of the SA Parks owned camps. They are very modern and clean as well as being at a modest price. They offer discounts for SA residents and further discounts for seniors. The really expensive camps like Sabi Sabi are aimed at rich overseas visitors and have rangers who will show you were to find the animals, Far better to visit the National Parks like Kruger, Addo, Pilanesberg, iMFolozi and many others where you drive your own car to see the animals. Just obey all the rules and you will be fine.
Amazing reviews and a good watch, I shall be flying out to Johan next week 🎉
Thanks for a good informative video about traveling to South Africa
The weather you described applies to the Cape. The other provinces can be cold overnight in the winter but they're not rainy or windy. It warms up nicely during the day.
South Africa is just a remarkable country with many great things to offers for tourists in 2021!
South Africa have many great cities to visits!
I watched your video one more. I have travelled all around. but never been south Africa. so I am interested in this video. someday after the end of this pandemic, I wanna go there. thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching our videos, so happy to hear you are enjoying them. Hopefully you can travel again soon!
I agree, the pace is slow here. We even have a motto "the aim is not to sweat" 😂
As the eternally dark winter here in Norway is quicky approaching, where we likely won't see daylight for days at a time, I'm planning to take 2 weeks in January to escape with my mates to somewhere, anywhere south of the equator. After a bit of research I found out the cheapest flights to the southern hemisphere are to Johannesburg, so I'm looking forwards to visit this beautiful country. Thanks for the video!
The wine, seafood, beautiful views and the people
Keeping Safe is the trick, stay off the streets at night
Thanks. I like the video.
South Africa, is the jewel of the world.
nicely explained
Thank you 😃
I have been to South Afrika twice. But i have not seen much as it was a business trip. I fell in love with this country, and i would like to know about it as much as possible.
It’s a beautiful country! I hope you get to go back and explore more!
Going in may on a hunt can't wait
I am planning to visits Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban & Pretoria cities, South Africa after the Pandemic is over in 2021!
Danko mfokaBondo🤝, we'll welcome you with open arms 🌻
Thanks you so much for this great video about the "Rainbow Country or South Africa". I will love to visit South Africa after the Pandemic is over in 2021!
Thanks you so much for your kindness!
everywhere in South Africa tap water can be drunk . rather don't use plastic water bottles unless you recycle please
Not in stellenbosch.
Not in Musina unless u like saltwater !!
Where can one go snow skiing in South Africa? Those ski slopes must be in Lesotho?
Which airport to land into if one wants to do the Kruger national park first ? Thanks for the video.
Land in Or tambo, you can take a car to the Kruger, most common way to travel.there are flights to the Kruger also, they are limited in frequency. Be very conscious, crime is a big issue in South Africa
You said you would link to the travel insurance that you use? I might be missing it but I can't find it in your show links. Help me?
Hi Paul, yes we use World Nomads - bit.ly/32c2u4K - Great cover especially for longer periods of travel
Thanks for the tipps 😊 I'll be on a flight to Capetown in a few days. Luckily my bf is with me. He's born there so I am less worried 😁 Looking forward to the trip 🇿🇦
Enjoy!
How was it?
What did you think of South Africa?
You are crazy to visit SA now.
Embrace the pace
Our winter generally runs from May to August. As mentioned in the video SA is a big country and winters in other parts are fairly warm (eg. Durban) while other parts like Joburg can be cold. Winter temperatures in Joburg fluctuates between 5 degrees Celsius at night to around 15 degrees during the day. There is an occasional cold front that drops the temperature below 5 degrees but it only last for a few days. November is smack in the middle of summer.
Are there only 2 seasons, or is there a spring season between August and November? Should we bring a coat for early September? Thanks so much!
@@jmaatgreen7894 We do have 4 seasons but spring and autumn are very short and sometimes we can skip these and go straight to summer from winter. You may need a coat for these seasons but it really depends where you are. Durban and Cape Town it should not be needed but Johannesburg, due to its elevation, can be cold evenings and early morning especially if you are eating al-fresco.
I miss my beautiful Country.
I live in South Africa and you do not need a filtered water bottle we have do have clean water and in our villages there is also access to water
Somethings to add is that: 1. DO NOT EVER BY ANY MEANS GO ON THE TAXI'S!! It is incredibly dangerous for reasons ranging from taxi shootings to speeding and too many people in a single taxi. 2. Water from taps in SA is amazing, at the right places.. Make sure before you drink water, best tap water is mountain rain water. 3. If your visiting Cape Town, I'd recommend staying in safe areas such as Waterfront. Mainly because places like the cape flats are incredibly dangerous because of gang violence. 4. I'd recommend The Western Cape, it has a nice climate, loads of activities (ranging from beaches, game drives, camping areas, paragliding, bungee jumping and much much more) and it is beautiful! 5. I'll say it again: STAY AWAY FROM TAXI'S!!! Edit: alr, I overreacted a bit with the taxi's, I'd still recommend using uber or renting a car above it. But taxi's are an okey option. Just do background checks and make sure to not get into an overcrowded one
taxi shooting a rare come on
@@bokangreacts843 Yeah, the main reason is the fact that too many people are in a taxi at a time
@@Stoffies123 why you lying? Taxi drivers. don't. take overloads, even if its your. choice.
@@etutorsdigitalschool2215? Almost all taxi's have too many passengers and go over the speed limit to get the most amount of money possible
@@Stoffies123Taxi drivers. don't. allow overloads unless you take those unregistered dodgy taxis on the road, if you take it at rank they always. take maximum of 15
I am South African. You did well. I am very critical person, and I dont allow anythig untrue to escape my radar. For the most part, I cannot fault u. I would suggest you review the comment about drinking water. It has been said that the country has amongst the safest drinking water in the world. Also, I would routinely suggest using the mini-bus taxis. Rather, cab-taxis, if i could word it that way (for convenience sake). But Uber is very reliable. And of course, hiring a car is a good option. The bus are also recommendable. To the viewers out there, allow me to mention that we drive on the left side of the road, like the British (SA is a previous colony of Britiain). Beautiful! Baie dankie! 🇿🇦 Edit (corrections): I would suggest to NOT USE MINI-BUS taxis. BuSSes are also recommendable.
Thank you so much for your suggestions and feedback, this really helps our viewers! 🙏
Where are the good Men. JUST KIDDING
Hi! I'll be traveling to Johannesburg this October (God willing) but I'm not able to find a place to change my local currency to ZAR, are USD accepted? Also, how much should a Sim card and data plan cost?
Many hotels, shops and restaurants will accept credit cards and some places will also accept USD. But smaller stores and markets will likely only accept ZAR and you can withdraw this currency when you arrive at the airport. For sim cards, it really depends what you are looking for but this guide may help; www.traveltomtom.net/destinations/africa/south-africa/sim-card-south-africa
You can just pay with your credit card, you don't need cash You can also withdraw money from any ATM automatic teller machine cash machine DONT carry large amounts of cash when you withdraw, be mindful. Use malls to get the cash Petty thieves are a dozen and you will be separated from your valuables
Carolina, they have foreign exchange at all major airports and certain travel agents and banks. Majority of the places accept credit cards. Your SIM card you will be able to purchase for a few cents, and the majority of the places here offers a good prepaid plan for those too, so you shouldn't have any hassles. What we do have here is a strained power network where you might find periods where you will experience load reduction, so do make provision to carry a power bank with you. Otherwise, you will have a fabulous time in our beautiful country.
Video only covering Cape Town???
They only showing Cape Town
Visitors from abroad tend to visit and stay in popular cities like Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg areas. The out lying towns and cities are simply gorgeous to miss. I am a South African Indian and still haven't done one-third of visiting around. This is due to business commitments working seven days a week. The people, especially the blacks, are very friendly and courteous, but be careful how you travel, like every country, we too have miscreants. Just follow the do's and don't, given to you by your travel agency
People may be slow paced unless you live in Gauteng or are from there :P
Do I have to take a covid test before going to South Africa ??
Currently you do, but keep looking out for updated information as it is changing all the time
@aesthetic giraffes ;w; Thanks for the advice!
I advise u do but now our infection cases are very low so it's your choice
@@lukedupreez5525 whats the latest? Are they now requiring the covid vaccine or covid test?
4:36 Where is this?
I only see Cape Town here
Sorry.....I don't see your link for Travel Insurance.
Thanks for pointing that out to us! We have now added the link in the description, hope this helps.
@@CreativeTravelGuide Thanks. But they won't insure anyone over 65. I guess we should all be discarded.
I live in south africa and wonted to heer what thay sy about it
Any travel tips or suggestions?!
Excuse me but where can we go skiing
Lesotho , drakensburg mountains. Check Lesotho aftiskii
Btw Lesotho is the country south africa so you will have to cross a border to get there
@@flareyboi9064 not very far , and itnis an easy crossing . You only need a passport , no visa needed if you got a South African one .
Clearly you guys giving you these answers don’t know much about SA as well. You can visit a place called Tiffindell Ski Resort in Rhodes Eastern Cape. But that’s only from June to July. Another place you can check out for skiing is Hogsback in Eastern Cape as well. These places only have snow in winter from June to July so no need to go to Lesotho if you don’t want. I’m from the Eastern region of the country by the way.😉
in 99 percent plus of the places you visit the tap water is safe to drink.
Not in the UK, it tastes like shite
Sth I like it's the African English accent. It sounds so smooth
Thanks so much!
Tap water is safe everywhere in the country
Thanks for your feedback!
Maybe a year ago. Crime is rife and we have electrical and water issues with human faeces washing down roads.
Thanks Madam for useful tips before going to soufh Africa
Glad you found it helpful!
What they seldom tell you is South Africa has the most beautiful women in the world.
I'd like to go back in time and watch the World Cup in 2010, in local.
not much in the "how to stay safe" part. Not good.
When she said South Africa is safe I choked on my water like.... Not where I live at the moment 😂
Funny fact is that most tourists don't experience crime...but crime is there just like any other countries
Any place in the world is unsafe at certain times of day.
On the whole Cape Town is perfectly safe. A few tips: Cape Town Southern Suburbs cyclists are being mugged for their bicycles, gps's and cell phones but the Sea Point promenade is safe to walk and cycle. Never hike/walk alone on the mountains but Kirstenbosch is safe. Don't walk around the CBD with visible expensive cameras, phones or jewellery. Never leave anything visible in your car like laptops or bags. Put them in the boot/trunk.
Johannesburg is one of the most dangerous cities in S.A Usually the locals experience crime and not tourists but due to where your traveling just make sure to be safe 😁
@@charlisepetersen9766 true, LA is not entirely safe...for instance Compton is a no go zone. Same with South side Chicago
Any place for ballroom dancing or doing the Jerusalem? Of course, after covid. Thanks, TED in California
Thanks for commenting!
You can find anything in the big city.
we as arab people can visit it or can not
Everyone is welcome to South Africa. There are alot of Arabs here too! 🙂
How can someone travel to Europe when he is South Africa
It really depends on your chosen destination but there are plenty of European cities that you can visit, you may need to apply for a visa in advance for some
I advise to not use a taxi,they are incredibly useless at driving and sometimes they even road rage
Languages you need to knowledge your self so you can learn fast
Junge Red deutsch
I want to see Nelson Mandela's cell. Also possibly considering moving there if there aren't culture wars like in the United States. I hear South Africa is peaceful and everyone gets along.
@Luke Murphy No, that is sadly wrong. Racism is still VERY alive in South Africa, within the people and political parties.
Thank you for your reply. In California where I live it's as progressive as it gets. Then again, race is still a barrier. How America was founded created lasting ripple effects as white people remain privileged and people of color are marginalized. Sadly, this has nothing to do with "us" personally, but the inequality persists generation to generation. Animosity and resentment is still there. Perhaps the United States is as good as it gets though.
Are you really that Naive ? Most of the racism in SA is the blacks .
@@samoday2992 Oh 😯 So progressive white people might be met with some resistance. Are interracial marriages allowed? Sometimes people fall in love with someone of a different skin color. I thought Nelson Mandela's ideals lived on.. But sadly, I hear times are different 😕
@@lukemurphy1048 have you done any research? Nelson Mandela was nothing more then a terrorist . Bombed many innocent people . Why in the west do we hold him with such high regard? Is a progressive an apologist ?
I noticed your comments on safety is very short and the focus is largely on Cape Town. Lets see the other side of the coin, that is the huge squatter camps near the airport, and the real crime stats.
SA does have very high crime levels, but most of the crime happens in a handful of gangland areas - as you'd find in the US. In Cape Town knife crime is relatively common, in Joburg gun crime and car hijacking are more common than in most cities. Be careful and you'll be fine. Don't walk urban streets at night, avoid townships and hide your valuables. Don't advertise that you are a tourist, try to blend in.
@@stevejones1318 doesn’t sound like much of a holiday when you have to hide away at night.
This video is 90% Cape Town and 10% Game Reserves. Cape Town is a very safe city compared to the rest of the country that is for sure. However, not much can be said for the rest of South Africa. There are only about 3 cities in the country that can be considered "modern" and "developed". A very biased video if you only include one city to represent the whole of our country! The game reserves are definitely worth it though!
Please also be a mindful traveler and educate yourself about the general history of South Africa’s colonialism history and apartheid (segregation) that still is extremely prevalent today. South Africa has one of the largest slums and wealth inequity problems in the world. Respect the culture and local people!
South Africa has been forever my wife’s and I preferred place with its great climate, sweet people and fantastic food; unfortunately every time we go it’s easy to appreciate the ever growing degrading in safety until the day will arrive in which sadly we will not travel there anymore. Without wishing to offend anyone the country is. Ring “Africanized” and I don’t say this as if it was good. Africans have been living proof their complete inepto rule.
Yep going downhill very fast especially with the mass exodus of the whites .
No highrise building or towers south africa not like asean countries Thailand Philippines singapore malaysia indonesia high rise buiding everycorners glassy building.
It is simple stay out of the townships and the CBD. 70 percent of violent crime in the country happens there
I do miss honest and clear infos on the safety issue. It seems to be a real, present and increasing problem. Not only individually travelling people, not only „at night“, not only in specific areas - no! Even entire tourist busses are stopped by heavily armed robbers -during the day. Even In the airport people are attacked, injured if not killed. Not true??? Are all the reports from visitors lies?
Please share your experience! We didn’t experience this personally but any feedback is greatly appreciated for future videos
Hahaaaaaaaa I was born here, lived my wntire life here, no different to any other big city in the world. I’s rather be i. cape Town than Los Angeles thats fir sure.
It's a dangerous place, don't be fooled by the advertisements such as this one.
Dont
ALL south Africans speak english
Not all, I've met coloureds who can only speak Afrikaans and I've met people who only speak Zulu, Xhosa etc.
DEUTSCHLAND
It's the most dangerous country in the world
Absolutely don’t worry about the language when you get carjacked and robbed by criminal gangs or even corrupt police officers when your driving to your hotel and let’s not forget the 12 hours a day of no electricity and the 92 Murders a day
Snow ?? Not really. Usually some artificial snow slopes in very isolated mountain areas ...
Junge ich will das net gucken aber muss das wegen Unterricht
Get bulletproof and knifeproof gear, get a gun, get a bulletproof vehicle, make sure where you live is surrounded by a good security company and get bodyguards
The South African accent is unique and can be bothering.
I agree, I can't bear it.
Im South African and yes I can agree, although the accents area also extremely diverse. If english isnt a first language it can be incredibly rough. In Cape Town, its very smooth, totally different and Im sure its really pleasant to hear for most people :) I suppose you can hear my South African accent on my channel to get an idea. Dont slate me if it sucks haha x
South Africa is dangerous by some places
This statement can literally be said about any country. As far as I know, 99.9% of countries on earth have jails, therefore they have crime. There's a country where the odds of you being shot by police or be caught in a mass shooting are higher than being a victim of crime in South Africa... you-es-ehhhhhhh
Give it a miss. The safety issue is real. While you will have a great time danger lurks around every corner.
That's a lie its actually not so dangerous I'm in South Africa so do not lie so much its not so bad😊I'm not trying to be mean to you its just where I live its not so bad. Where I live nothing happened
You must be very sensitive or very careless. Please do not believe everything you read or hear about our beautiful country. We are as safe or even more safe than most countries with big cities and wide open spaces. Like the rest of the world we have ill mannered people but unfortunately most of them are not from South Africa. Please come and see for yourself what a safe and lovely country we have.
Perhaps you should go for a stroll through hillbrow one evening, or perhaps visit a bar in Nyanga. Many people Expect to walk in safety every where, any time. Murder and rape statistics say it all. South africa has a lot to offer - but as you suggest they need to take care.
@@perthpete7906 that's why the presenter at 3:22 said "use your common sense", what are you doing in Hillbrow. Obviously, not a tourist attraction unless if you are there for prostitutes and drugs. Few South Africans live in that part of town, you will find mostly African migrants there (whether legal or illegal in SA). And FYI, there's no bars in Nyanga... Visit and experience South Africa yourself and stop believing the propaganda out there.
People still go to Mexico, Brazil and USA ,,South Africa is in the same league as the above mentioned in terms of gun crime.