A Quick Guide to Travelling in South Africa

South Africa is a wonderful and unique country that offers great opportunities for adventure. Whether you are looking for an adrenaline rush or just some time to sit back and relax, you’re bound to find something worth your while. There are countless holiday destinations and probably the hardest thing about a trip to South Africa is deciding where to go and what to do. This guide doesn’t focus on the endless possibilities of travelling in South Africa but rather aims to provide you with the tools necessary to plan the perfect trip.

I decided to compile a quick guide to travelling in South Africa that will help you with some of the basics. The guide contains basic information on public transport, accommodation and safety in South Africa. So, I hope that you find it useful and that it enables you to have a phenomenal experience in this beautiful country.

Crime in South Africa

First things first, crime is by far the biggest elephant in the proverbial South African room. The country has been plagued by high crime rates for the past two and a half decades. Potential travellers are regularly discouraged by this issue. Unfortunately, it is a subject that cannot be omitted from a travel guide such as this one.

It is general practice for state departments to warn their citizens before travelling to South Africa. However, the information they provide is, in most cases, outdated and incomplete. Another regular occurrence is the downplay of violent crime. This is frequently encountered in blogs about travelling in South Africa. The reason for this is that violent crimes tend to be scarce in most of the popular tourist locations. For the most part, this is true and staying on the beaten track is considered relatively safe. However, this can lead to the conclusion that it is safe everywhere and this, unfortunately, is not true. In this article, I’ll attempt to put it as clear as possible by considering statistics and some of my own experience as a South African.

In many ways, this is a controversial subject because discussing crime isn’t at all the best way to promote a holiday destination. It is, however, better to be aware of possible dangers, than to be caught with your trousers on your knees. Furthermore, as someone that is promoting South Africa, I don’t want to be guilty of creating a false idea that can potentially endanger an ill-informed traveller. So, I’m calling a spade a spade and informing you to the best of my knowledge.

Murder

According to police statistics for the 2015/2016 financial year, South Africa had an average country-wide homicide rate of about 34 people per year per 100,000 inhabitants. This is approximately 6 times the average homicide rate in the United States. To be clear, this is the average across the country and is definitely not representative of every location on its own. It does, however, highlight the prevalence of homicide in South Africa.

Rape

Rape is one of the major violent crimes in South Africa. According to police statistics, an act of rape is committed every 10 minutes. In a survey in 2009, by the country’s Medical Research Council, 1 in 4 men admitted that they had raped someone before. That is a startling statistic and can be especially daunting to solo female travellers. I, therefore, urge you to keep this in mind when travelling alone.

Other Violent Crimes

Other crimes that are quite prevalent in South Africa include muggings, stabbings, hijackings and armed robberies. These crimes, although not as life-altering as the ones previously mentioned, are more than capable of ruining a perfectly good holiday. They can most definitely ruin your experience of this wonderful country and leave you traumatised.

Conclusion

Does this mean that you shouldn’t travel to South Africa? No, of course not! It just means that you should travel responsibly and think before you do something that is off the beaten track. The high prevalence of crime doesn’t mean that you will be a victim, it just means that there is a greater risk thereof.

Safety Tips

By being alert and avoiding possible dangerous situations and locations you’re more than likely to have a marvellous and safe trip. If you stick to the following safety tips and guidelines you should be able to enjoy an incident-free holiday.

Avoid areas that are known as crime hot spots, especially when you’re travelling alone. If you’re not sure whether an area is safe, don’t be afraid to ask a local. Most people will be more than willing to give you their share of advice. As reference stay clear of CBD’s in bigger cities as well as informal settlements or townships. To get a better idea you can also visit Crime Stats SA.
Avoid remote and isolated areas, especially isolated beaches.
Avoid walking alone after dark, especially if you are a solo female traveller. Be sure to make use of the buddy system or get an Uber (only in Johannesburg) to take you where you want to be.
Always lock your hotel or hostel door.
Don’t carry your passport in the same bag as all your cash.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash with you.
Vacuum wrap your luggage, especially when flying to and from Johannesburg International Airport.
Don’t hitchhike. I know that hitchhiking sounds somewhat romantic and that in many countries it is quite common. You can also do it in SA, but I would not advise it.
Don’t leave any of your belongings unattended.
Stay alert and keep your eyes open for suspicious behaviour.
Emergency number 112. Some foreign state departments still list 10111 as an emergency number although it is no longer a reliable number and most calls go unanswered.

Wild Animal Encounters

Contrary to popular belief, we don’t generally have lions hunting on our front lawns or elephants causing traffic jams in Johannesburg’s CBD. Most big game animals in South Africa reside in nature reserves or on game farms. That being said, some of the most dangerous animals in Africa roam free in certain areas of the country. These include hippos, crocodiles and numerous poisonous snakes.

Hippos

Hippos are some of the most dangerous animals in the world. They might look like cuddly herbivores, but their tempers are about as short as their stumpy little legs. Hippos feel threatened quite easily and driven by instinct they won’t hesitate to attack. They can be extremely aggressive without being provoked. Here are some tips to stay safe;

A good rule of thumb is to avoid swimming in rivers or dams north of the Vaal river unless a guide tells you otherwise. If you’re on the east coast, the same rule applies to rivers north of Durban.
Be mindful of your surroundings, especially when walking close to the water’s edge.
Never come between a hippo and the water. To a hippo, the water signifies a safe zone and if you were to block his way he will behave accordingly.
Never come between a mother and her calf. A mother hippo is very protective and coming between her and her calf is the same as obstructing her path to the water.
Hippos leave the water at night to graze.
Hippos “yawn” when they feel irritated or threatened, so if you observe this kind of behaviour be aware that you might be intruding on the animals personal space.

Crocs

No, I’m not referring to the ones you don’t want to wear in public, I’m talking about the infamous Nile crocodile. They are the ultimate predators in the rivers of Africa and are well-known to be able to take down large prey. To them meat is meat and a crocodile must eat, which means that they don’t care if you don’t consider yourself a part of the food chain. To avoid becoming an appetising river snack, keep the following in mind;

Don’t swim in rivers or dams where crocs are known to be present. Honestly, don’t be an idiot.
Again, as a rule of thumb, avoid swimming in dams or rivers north of the Vaal river. On the East coast keep out of rivers north of Durban.
When fishing in croc-infested waters, be mindful of your surroundings and try to stay away from the water’s edge if at all possible.

General Safety Rules

There is one golden rule to remember: wild animals are not pets! No matter how friendly or cute they might seem they’re still wild animals and they can be very unpredictable. This is Africa, not Disneyland. So, under no circumstances should you ever approach or try to touch a wild animal. Even animals that seem tame should be handled with caution. Many South Africans have been seriously injured or even lost their lives because they underestimated the dangers posed by wild animals.

Different Modes of Transport

Now that we have concluded the unpleasant topics of dangers in South Africa, let’s start with the fun stuff. Travelling can be challenging no matter where you are and on top of that, every country presents its own special set of challenges. The lack of proper public transport, in some parts of South Africa, is an obstacle to many travellers. The available transport between major cities is sufficient, but there is much to desire for transport inside cities and to smaller towns.

As a South African the lack of public transport never really affected me that much. The massive hurdle it posed to travellers and tourists never really crossed my mind. As a local, you are used to relying on lifts provided by family and friends and if you have your own car, you’re used to driving yourself. It was only when we moved to Shanghai that it dawned on me, just how much a foreigner values a proper public transport system. This epiphany is partly responsible for inspiring me to write this guide. So, here are my thoughts on transport for foreigners travelling in South Africa.

Travel by Plane

Most domestic airlines in South Africa are well-equipped and reasonably priced. They offer flights to numerous destinations, including all the major cities and some of the more remote towns. The more popular airlines include,

Most domestic flights are quite quick and can basically transport you from one side of the country to the other in as little as 2 hours. They are also relatively cheap. A flight from Johannesburg International to Cape Town will typically cost you around R 700 ($55). The cost can vary quite considerably depending on both your departure and destination airports. The rule of thumb is, that the smaller the airport, the higher the cost. Probably the only exception to this rule is Lanseria Airport. This airport sometimes offers flights that can be as much as R 200 ($15) cheaper than equivalent flights from Johannesburg International. This is something to bear in mind when flying to and from Johannesburg. Remember to check both airports.

There are quite a number of websites and apps that you can use to help you find the cheapest flights. These include Cheapflights and Jetradar. Alternatively, you can also click on the airline links provided above and scour the airlines’ websites for potential promotions. These promotions can sometimes be ridiculously cheap. So, remember to shop around, especially if you’re on a tight budget.

Travel by Train

The South African railway network has shrunk quite viciously in the past 20 years and most of it has perished. The only remaining long-distance railway lines are between Johannesburg and some of the other major cities. The number of destinations that can be reached by train is quite limited. Ultimately, this restricts the movements of the modern nomad to some degree when travelling by train. Even so, travelling by train does have its advantages.

Depending on your destination it will certainly be much less convenient to travel by train compared to flying. It generally takes about 10 times longer to reach your destination and in some cases, the cost of travel will be more or less the same. This is typically true for some of the more popular flight destinations like Cape Town and Durban. On the contrary, going to Port Elizabeth or East London will be considerably cheaper by train, although you will still travel much longer.

The biggest advantage offered by train travel is the scenery. Travelling by train grants you the opportunity to see parts of the South African landscape that would’ve otherwise escaped you.

I have never travelled by train in South Africa before, mainly because of the limited destinations offered by railway services. Not having the experience leaves me unqualified to provide you with legitimate information concerning the finer details of train travel. Therefore, I urge you to consult with Seat 61 which seems to provide an in-depth review of South African railways. The website also provides a handy interactive map. You can also go to the Shosholoza Meyl website, to look-up prices and schedules, as well as book tickets.

Travel by Bus

Taking the bus is probably the most popular mode of long-distance transport in Sout Africa. It is quicker and provides access to more destinations than railway travel. In most cases, it is also cheaper than flying, with the exceptions being routes between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The cramped spaces and long hauls are definitely the biggest cons of this mode of transport, but these are small prices to pay for the freedom it provides.

For direct travel, I would recommend either Greyhound or InterCape. Both these long-distance bus services provide competitive pricing and an impressive variety of destinations. They offer safe and affordable services that thousands of South Africans use to travel through the country.

If you are looking for the ultimate travel service in South Africa, Baz Bus is the way to go. Baz Bus is a convenient hop-on-hop-of bus service that provides the adventurer with a convenient and cost-effective way to explore the east coast of South Africa. The service is extremely flexible and carries you between 180 different backpacking hostels in 40 different towns. There are a number of different packages available that cater to the needs of every traveller. You can look these up on their website. I have never used Baz bus before, but it seems like a pretty decent deal for a solo traveller or a pair of backpackers. For a more in-depth look at Baz Bus read Road Tripping Across South Africa with Baz Bus by that Backpacker.

Travel by Taxi

Travelling by taxi in South Africa isn’t exactly the same as most other places. Although there are some forms of registered cabs in the bigger cities, they are neither common nor referred to as taxis. Commonly, the word “taxi” refers to the crazy minibuses you see honking their way through traffic. In many cases the drivers of these taxis are unlicensed. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you shouldn’t use them, but I definitely won’t. Unless you really don’t have any other choice or you’re looking to have a near-death experience, I would advise you to find another mode of transport.

Okay, maybe, just maybe, I’m being a little overdramatic. I mean, you have lots of people that use taxis like these for their daily commutes and your chances of having a perfectly good experience aren’t all that bad. The advantages of these crazy buses are that they are relatively cheap and you find them literally everywhere. Plus, you will have a unique South African experience that a lot of local people never have. With all that said, I still hold firm to my advice to rather not make use of their services, but ultimately it is your decision. I know that some foreign state departments also advise against using the minibus taxis, because of their prevalence in roadside accidents.

Uber

You can also use Uber in South Africa. Unfortunately, it is only available in Johannesburg at this time, as far as I know.

Travel by Car

Road tripping is definitely my favourite way of travelling in South Africa. A car provides you with the independence and freedom to explore the riches beyond the beaten track. It is by far the best way to experience South Africa and all its splendour.

First of all, the only thing you need to be eligible to drive a vehicle in South Africa is a valid license. Any foreign driver’s license is valid in South Africa as long as,

the license was issued on a date on which the holder thereof was not permanently or ordinarily resident in South Africa,
the license is in English or there is some form of English certification attached to the license,
the license contains or has attached a photograph and signature of the holder.

For more information, visit the Road Traffic Management Corporation.

Here are some things to keep in mind when driving in South Africa;

We drive on the left side of the road. If you’re going to drive on the right side of the road, you’re going to have a bad time.
Most vehicles in South Africa are manual, so if you hire a car, make sure to specify that you want an automatic vehicle.

To get the best deal on car rentals you can use Cheapflights.

Accommodation

One of the many upsides of travelling in South Africa is that accommodation is relatively cheap and the cost thereof is subject to the time of year. The tourism industry divides the year into three distinct seasons: peak-season, high-season and the off-season. By planning your trip accordingly, you will be able to save a lot of money and travel for longer. You will also be able to avoid the crowds.

Seasons

Peak-Season: The Peak-season refers to the summer months of December and January. This is during the school holiday and is by far the busiest time at most of South Africa’s tourist destinations. During this time, accommodation and other tourism costs are at their highest. December and January are also the hottest months of the year.

High-Season: The High-season includes the winter months of June and July, the spring months of October and November and the months of February and March. This season provides a break from the crowds, but prices are still relatively high.

Off-Season: The Off-season is during the months of April and May in the autumn, as well as August and September. The cost of accommodation and tourist activities are at their lowest during this time of the year.

Camping

Camping is quite the popular pastime in South Africa. The result of this popularity is an abundance of campsites all across the country. Most of these campsites are well kept, safe and really cheap. A lot of campsites also offer tents for hire, though you should make sure about this before showing up without a roof over your head. If camping isn’t really your thing, you can always just rent a chalet. Although the chalets are more expensive than camping, they are still much cheaper than hotels and BnB’s.

Visit the following websites to look for and book a campsite.

CampSA
Forever Resorts
Getaway’s top camping sites in South Africa.

Hostels

Hostels are quite possibly the lonely wanderer’s most affordable accommodation. There are numerous backpacker hostels in all the major destinations in South Africa. Most of them are safe and well-run. You can use Hostel World to help you find and book the best hostels.

Lodges

Lodges offer a uniquely African experience. They are the favourite form of accommodation among those wanting a wildlife encounter without leaving the amenities of modern life behind. In general, lodges are relatively luxurious, yet they leave visitors with an unrivalled experience of the South African bush. Most lodges provide numerous outdoor activities, ranging from safaris to hiking and horse riding.

If you’re travelling to South Africa to become one with nature, but you’re not quite ready to go full Bear Grylls, staying at a lodge is definitely for you. To find the lodge that best suits your needs, I highly recommend checking out AllTheRooms’s selection of The 7 Best Lodges in South Africa.

Other Accommodation

Other accommodation includes BnB’s, guesthouses, hotels and self-catering accommodation. These are generally a bit more expensive than those previously mentioned but offer a great deal more luxury. Hotels and BnB’s are also great for family getaways. Use Hotellook, WhereToStay and RoomsforAfrica to help you locate the best accommodation for you.

Languages of South Africa

South Africa has 11 official languages. Most South Africans, however, can at the very least understand English and will be able to assist you with almost any question you might have. A great number of South Africans are actually quite fluent in English even though they are not native speakers.

English is of course also one of the country’s official languages and public information is mostly presented in English. This makes South Africa a comfortable destination for English speakers.

Your Thoughts on Travelling in South Africa

This is still a work in progress. I will be expanding it as I think of new and useful information to add. Some of the subjects mentioned above might also turn into full posts because there is a lot more to them than mentioned here. If you have any questions or ideas, please leave a comment down below, send me an email or contact me on Social Media.