South Africa

South Africa is generally subject to a positive travel advice, although there are things to bear in mind. It is a country with breathtaking nature, impressive culture and heartwarming people, but also with great contrasts. For instance, you can marvel at the beauty of the Panorama Route one minute, and have to be alert in a busy city centre like Johannesburg the next.

We mostly felt safe in South Africa, especially when we followed local advice. For example, avoid driving at night outside major cities, don't leave valuables visible in your car and choose safe neighbourhoods and accommodation. South Africans themselves are used to travelling with certain precautions, which says it all.

In short: don't be put off by the warnings, but set off well prepared. Because believe us, it is an unforgettable country that will touch you deeply. The vast landscapes, wildlife and warm-hearted atmosphere make it more than worth it.

As the security situation can always change, we recommend checking the current travel advice for South Africa check.

South Africa is a huge country, and that also means: big differences in climate. While it is subtropically warm in the north, it can be quite windy in the Cape or even snowy in the mountains. Still, there is something general about it.

The seasons are exactly reversed to those of the Netherlands.
- Summer runs from December to February and is hot, especially inland and on the east coast. During this period, you can expect temperatures between 25°C and 35°C.
- Winter, from June to August, is often dry and sunny, but chilly, especially at night or at altitude.

The Western Cape (where Cape Town is located) has a Mediterranean climate, with rain in winter and hot, dry summers. In the Kruger Park and other safari areas, the rainy season is just in summer (November to March), with lots of greenery and young animals. The best travel time for a safari is often the dry winter period, from May to September.

In short: South Africa is a destination you can visit all year round. It mainly depends on what you want to do. Beach? Then go in the South African summer. Safari? Then the dry months are perfect.

As Dutchman or Belgian have you no visa required for South Africa if you stay there for less than 90 days.

There are a few important things to bear in mind, though. For example, your passport must be valid on arrival be valid for at least 30 days after departure from the country and should it contain two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. So make sure you check this in time, otherwise you may be refused entry at immigration.

Are you travelling with children under 18? Then additional rules apply. Consider an international birth certificate or permission letter from the other parent if you are travelling alone. Check the most up-to-date requirements for this well in advance.

For the latest and official information, we recommend checking the travel advice from the Netherlands Worldwide view. That way, you'll be well prepared to hit the road!

For a trip to South Africa no vaccinations required, unless you comes from or travels through a country where yellow fever is present. In that case, you must be able to prove that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever.

For most travellers, however, some vaccinations are recommended:

• DTP (diphtheria, tetanus and polio)
• Hepatitis A (infectious jaundice)

Are you staying longer than 90 days or going to remote areas? If so, vaccinations against Hepatitis B, rabies or tuberculosis recommended.

In conclusion, in some parts of South Africa, such as parts of Kruger Park and the border areas with Mozambique and Zimbabwe, there is a prevalence of malaria before. Discuss with a doctor whether malaria pills are necessary for your itinerary.

Always check the most up-to-date advice via the GGD Travel Vaccinations - South Africa or contact your GP for personal advice.

South Africa is not the cheapest destination in the world but absolutely worth it. From atmospheric guesthouses and local restaurants to adventurous safaris and road trips along the coast, it's all possible, without having to dig very deep into your pockets straight away.

During our trip, we averaged about €60 per person per day out. This amount includes accommodations, food, rental car with petrol, activities and national parks, but excluding flight tickets. With that budget, you can stay in nice guesthouses, eat out every day and take in several highlights.

A rough overview of costs by type of traveller: