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
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
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.
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