The Insider Quick Reference Guide for South Africa

Photo Courtesy of: Royal Malewane

South Africa is a country brimming with rich history, culture, and gastronomy, offering a plethora of experiences for travelers. From the vibrant city of Johannesburg and Cape Town to the breathtaking landscapes of the Kruger National Park and the Drakensberg Mountain, this country offers something for every kind of traveler.

Here’s a quick reference guide to help you navigate it all—covering everything from arrival logistics and local expressions to food, culture, and where to go. Whether you're planning your first adventure or returning for more, this insider guide will help you settle in, explore meaningfully, and travel with ease.

Airports

• Cape Town International Airport (CPT): Ideal for travelers heading to Cape Town, the Winelands, and the Garden Route

• Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB): Best for safari connections (Kruger, Sabi Sands, Madikwe) and regional travel

• King Shaka International Airport (Durban): Serves KwaZulu-Natal, including Durban, the Drakensberg, and the Elephant Coast

• Smaller regional airports connect to safari destinations and coastal towns via charter flights

Currency

• South African Rand (ZAR), marked as R (e.g., R500 ≈ $26 USD)

• Credit and debit cards are widely accepted

• Carry some cash for tipping, markets, and small towns

• ATMs are available in airports, malls, and major fuel stations

Getting Around

• Domestic Flights– South Africa is large, so flying is often the most efficient way to move between regions. Domestic flights connect major cities like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and Port Elizabeth. Charter flights are common for safari transfers.

• Self Drive– Road trips are a beautiful way to see the country. The Garden Route and Panorama Route are both popular scenic drives. Roads are well-maintained and rental cars are widely available. South Africans drive on the left.

• Uber– Uber operates in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, and Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha). Always opt for registered transportation—ask your travel advisor, hotel or host to assist.

• Private Drivers - Recommended for wine tasting, full-day tours, and between destinations

• Safari Transfers – Luxury lodges often include or arrange private transfers from nearby airports or airstrips. Some routes require 4x4s; others include short flights.

Skip night strolls in unfamiliar areas. Stick with hotel-vetted transport for peace of mind.

Best Time to Visit

• Cape Town & the Winelands: September–November (spring blooms) and March-May (autumn harvest) offer warm weather, fewer crowds, and beautiful scenery. December–February is peak summer—great for beaches and events, but busier.

• Safari Regions (Kruger, Madikwe, Eastern Cape): May–September is the dry season—ideal for game viewing. Summer (October–April) brings lush landscapes and newborn wildlife, but also afternoon showers.

• Johannesburg: Pleasant year-round. Dry and sunny in winter (May-August); summer (November–March) is warm with dramatic afternoon thunderstorms—beautiful but brief.

• Durban & the Indian Ocean Coast: Subtropical and warm year-round. April–October is ideal for beach days with less humidity, while summer months (November–March) are hotter and more humid, perfect for surfers and ocean lovers.

• Drakensberg Mountains: Visit October–April for green hiking trails and waterfalls. May-August offers crisp mountain air and potential snowfall—great for cozy lodge stays.

Ideal Length of Stay

Photo Courtesy of: The Oyster Box

10–14 days is ideal:

• 3–4 nights in Cape Town

• 2–3 nights in the Winelands or Garden Route

• 3–6 nights on safari (Kruger, Eastern Cape, Madikwe)

• 2–3 nights in Johannesburg, Durban, or the Drakensberg for cultural or natural immersion

Linguistics

Language

• South Africa has 12 official languages

• British English is widely spoken

• You’ll also hear Zulu, Xhosa, and Afrikaans, depending on where you are

Useful Phrases + Pronunciations

• Sawubona – Hello (Zulu) → sah-woo-BOH-nah

• Ngiyabonga – Thank you (Zulu) → ng-ee-yah-BOHN-gah

• Dankie – Thank you (Afrikaans) → DAHN-kee

• Lekker – Great, fun, or delicious (Afrikaans) → LEK-uh

• Braai – A BBQ, but more of a cultural ritual than just a meal → BRY

• Eish! – Oh man! / Wow / Yikes → AYSH

• Howzit? – How are you? / What’s up?

A simple “Dankie” or “Sawubona” goes a long way—locals love when you try.

Local Expressions & Slang

• Robot – Traffic light

• Now-now – Soon (but don’t count on it)

• Just now – Eventually, maybe

• Shame – Used affectionately: “Oh, shame!”

• Yebo – Yes

• Mzansi – South Africa

• Chommie – Friend

• Boet – Brother / mate

• Takkies – Sneakers

• Kiff – Cool, awesome

• Sharp-sharp – Cheers, okay, goodbye

• Jozi – Nickname for Johannesburg

• Braai – A celebration disguised as a BBQ

If someone says they’ll do it “just now,” settle in—you’re officially on South African time.

Spelling Examples

• Neighbourhood (vs. neighborhood)

• Centre (vs. center)

• Organise (vs. organize)

• Travelling (vs. traveling)

Pronunciation Examples

• Zebra → zehb-rah

• Schedule → shed-yool

• Route → root

• Privacy → priv-ah-see

• Advertisement → ad-VER-tis-ment

South African English takes after the UK—thanks to its colonial past. So yes, zebra rhymes with Debra, and your shed-yool is packed.

Signature Dishes to Try

South Africa is a melting pot of cultures, and this is reflected in its diverse culinary scene. The country’s cuisine is a fusion of indigenous African dishes, Dutch, British, Indian, and Malay influences.

Breakfast

• Mealiepap – Maize porridge served sweet or savory

• Boerewors – Spiced sausage, usually grilled

Lunch

• Bunny Chow – Curry-filled bread bowl, born in Durban

• Vetkoek – Fried dough with savory or sweet filling

• iKota – Township street food: a hollowed loaf filled with chips, egg, cheese, and meats

Dinner

• Bobotie – A spiced mince meat dish topped with an egg custard, which showcases the country’s Cape Malay heritage

• Chakalaka – Spicy veggie relish served with pap

• Braai – A barbecue where meat like Boerewors, steak, and chicken is cooked over an open flame. It's more than a meal—it’s a cultural ritual

Dessert

• Koeksisters – Syrup-coated twisted doughnuts

• Milk tart (Melktert) – A creamy custard tart with cinnamon

Expect these dishes to be elevated in presentation at high-end lodges and restaurants—don’t skip dessert.

Food Terms

• Biltong – Spiced, dried cured meat—like jerky, but better

• Pap – Creamy maize porridge (similar to polenta)

• Rusks – Hard biscuits meant for dipping in tea or coffee

• Snoek – A local fish, often smoked or grilled

• Boerewors – Farm-style coiled sausage, usually part of a braai

“Biltong and bubbles” is a thing—and you’ll be glad it is.

Safari & Wildlife Terms 

Photo Courtesy of: Royal Malewane

• Big Five – The lion, leopard, African elephant, rhinoceros, and Cape buffalo. Coined by 19th-century hunters to describe the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot. Today, it’s a celebrated checklist for wildlife viewing and photography.

• Big Seven – South Africa adds the Great White Shark and Southern Right Whale to the Big Five, creating the Big Seven. You can spot all seven by combining safari with coastal regions like Hermanus or Gansbaai.

• Game Drive – A guided safari experience in a 4x4 vehicle. Typically offered twice a day (early morning and late afternoon), often with a tracker and ranger team.

• Tracker – A trained local expert who follows animal tracks, signs, and sounds to locate wildlife during your game drive.

• Ranger – The guide who drives the vehicle, shares knowledge of the ecosystem and ensures safety during the safari.

• The Bush – Common South African term for wild, undeveloped natural terrain—typically where safari lodges are located.

• Bush Walk – A guided walk (usually from the lodge) led by armed rangers or trackers to explore flora, small fauna, and animal tracks on foot. Ideal for deepening your understanding of the environment.

• Sundowner – A safari ritual: stopping in the bush at sunset for drinks and snacks. Think Gin and Tonic’s with giraffes nearby. Reserve – A protected area of land for wildlife. South Africa has both public reserves (like Kruger National Park) and private reserves (like Sabi Sands, Madikwe, or Shamwari).

• Malaria-Free – Safari areas like Madikwe and many Eastern Cape reserves are classified as malaria-free—no medication is needed. Kruger and Limpopo regions do require precautions.

Gin and Tonic—a classic drink often enjoyed as a sundowner on safari because the quinine in tonic water was historically used to prevent malaria.

Day Trips + Cultural Highlights (By Region)

Western Cape 

• Bo-Kaap – Cape Malay neighborhood with colorful homes, Islamic heritage, and spice-scented streets

• Robben Island – Nelson Mandela’s former prison; deeply moving and essential to understanding modern South Africa

• Boulders Beach – Penguin colony just outside Cape Town

• Cape of Good Hope – Rugged cliffs, crashing seas, and iconic vistas

• Zeitz MOCAA – Museum of Contemporary African Art in a strikingly repurposed grain silo

• The Watershed (V&A Waterfront) – South African craft, design, fashion, and lifestyle brands under one stylish roof

• The Garden Route – A road trip through forests, beaches, and coastal towns (Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma)

Gauteng (Johannesburg & Pretoria)

• Apartheid Museum – A powerful, immersive walk through South Africa’s fight for freedom and justice

• Soweto – The country’s most famous township, home to both Mandela and Tutu; rich in music, food, and history

• Maboneng Precinct – Jozi’s creative district, full of contemporary art galleries, local fashion, and street culture

• Sandton – Johannesburg’s cosmopolitan heart for shopping, luxury dining, and Nelson Mandela Square

• Gandhi Heritage Sites (Jozi) – Visit the legal office and neighborhoods where Gandhi shaped his philosophy of nonviolence

KwaZulu-Natal (Durban & Coastline)

• Indian Quarter, Durban – A blend of cultures, spice markets, sari shops, and the birthplace of Bunny Chow

• Golden Mile (Durban beachfront) – A sun-soaked stretch with markets, surfers, and casual coastal culture

• uShaka Marine World – Aquarium and waterpark, popular for families and ocean lovers

• Gandhi Heritage Sites (Durban) – The city where Gandhi arrived in 1893 and launched his early resistance efforts

• Drakensberg Mountains – Dramatic escarpments, San rock art caves, and remote lodges for hiking and reflection

Limpopo & Mpumalanga (Safari Regions + Nature)

• Blyde River Canyon & Panorama Route – One of the largest canyons on Earth, featuring God's Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, and waterfall-filled drives

• Kruger National Park Region – Safari capital with cultural villages, wildlife education centers, and rich biodiversity

Other Tips

• Tipping: 10–15% is standard in restaurants and for guides

• Electricity: Type M plugs (three round pins); bring an adapter

• Health: Some safari areas may require malaria pills—check before you go

• Water: Safe in cities and lodges, but bottled is best in rural areas

• Connectivity: Expect patchy Wi-Fi in the bush

• Luggage: Soft-sided bags required for bush flights (weight limit: ~15–20 kg)

We hope this quick reference guide helps you feel prepared, inspired, and excited for your next visit to  South Africa. As always, we’re here to assist—from hotel bookings and private transfers to curated experiences that connect you with the soul of the destination. Schedule a call today.