South Africa Travel Insurance Plans

To help travelers stay as safe and informed as possible, Travel Guard compiled answers to popular questions asked by tourists traveling to South Africa.

For the latest information related to COVID-19 travel requirements for South Africa, please visit the official U.S. Embassy site.

If traveling to South Africa, visitors should exercise heightened caution due to very high crime rates, civil unrest and kidnapping concerns. These issues are prevalent not only in urban areas, but also in national parks, nature reserves and on hiking trails. Thoroughly research your planned destinations and activities in advance of travel to understand the risks. It is best to plan all transportation in advance, as some options in South Africa are unsafe and unreliable.

The official currency in South Africa is the South African Rand. Visitors can exchange currency at their preferred bank prior to their departure, a currency kiosk at the airport or at banks and ATMs in major cities. Most major debit and credit cards are accepted as well. It is ideal to carry a small amount of local currency in the event your card is not accepted.

South Africa is a diverse country with eleven languages being spoken throughout the region, however, three are most common: Zulu, Xhosa and Afrikaans. English is a common language as well, with many people learning it as their second language. Still, it’s ideal to bring a translator that works without Wi-Fi to best avoid miscommunication as finding another English speaker is not guaranteed.

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens who are traveling to South Africa for less than 90 days, however, travelers will need a passport valid for 30 days past their departure date as well as two blank pages.

The U.S. Embassy in South Africa is in Pretorius. Visit the official U.S Embassy government website for a list of up-to-date phone numbers and addresses.

South Africa’s climate is vastly different depending on where you travel in the country, with the west coast having cooler temperatures and the south and east regions being warmer on average throughout the year. The sun shines for most of the year as well, though summer across the country, which occurs from December to February, is when you’ll see the most rainfall. However, most of these storms pass as quickly as they start. If traveling to desert regions, be prepared for extreme temperatures, with sunny, hot days and much colder nights.

The best time of year to visit South Africa will depend on the events you’d like to experience on your vacation as there are popular events throughout the year.

If you’re looking for a cultural experience, take your vacation in October to experience the Macufe African Cultural Festival, a 10-day event showcasing various genres of the country’s music. Or experience the environmental event of the Hermanus Whale Festival, an annual whale-watching event which takes place towards the end of September. 

South Africa’s dial code is +27 and can be used to connect to cellphones and landlines in the country. When calling from the U.S., remember to use the exit code of +11 and follow it with the area code of the city or town you’re trying to reach. Be sure to contact your phone company before your trip to know the cost estimates of international calls and to let them know of your plans to best avoid unwanted interruption on your trip.

Tourists traveling to South Africa will need a voltage converter to use their electronics because South Africa runs on a higher voltage than the U.S. You may also want to consider a universal adaptor as it can be used anywhere you travel in the future.