South Africa

At A glance

Capital City: Pretoria (administrative capital); Cape Town (legislative capital); Bloemfontein (judicial capital)

Land size: 1,214,470 sq km

Population: 57,516,665 (2022 est.)

Official languages: isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi, Setswana, English, Sesotho, Xitsonga, siSwati, Tshivenda and isiNdebele

Currency: South African Rand (R / ZAR)

UNESCO properties and sites:

• Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa
• Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
• Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
• Robben Island
• ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape
• Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains
• Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
• iSimangaliso Wetland Park
• Vredefort Dome
• Maloti-Drakensberg Park

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-africa/


South Africa's breathtaking beauty and vibrant energy provide a unique and thrilling adventure for every traveler. Discover the world-famous Waterberg region, where exhilarating safaris bring you close to Africa's Big Five and a plethora of other wildlife species. Explore the vibrant city of Johannesburg, known as the 'City of Gold,' and experience its rich history and cultural diversity.

South Africa’s breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and warm hospitality make it a perfect horse riding holiday destination. Explore the beautiful landscapes of the Wild Coast, riding along scenic trails with breathtaking vistas. Get close to the Big 5, as you ride through the Entabeni Reserve, at the heart of the Waterberg region.
Whether you're an experienced rider seeking thrilling adventures or a beginner looking to connect with nature amidst stunning surroundings, South Africa has something for you.

 

Brief History

Some of the earliest human remains in the fossil record are found in South Africa. By about A.D. 500, Bantu speaking groups began settling into what is now northeastern South Africa displacing Khoisan speaking groups to the southwest.

Dutch traders landed at the southern tip of present-day South Africa in 1652 and established a stopover point on the spice route between the Netherlands and the Far East, founding the city of Cape Town. After the British seized the Cape of Good Hope area in 1806, many of the settlers of Dutch descent (Afrikaners, also called "Boers" (farmers) at the time) trekked north to found their own republics, Transvaal and Orange Free State.

In the 1820s, several decades of wars began as the Zulus expanded their territory, moving out of what is today southeastern South Africa and clashing with other indigenous peoples and with expanding European settlements. The discovery of diamonds (1867) and gold (1886) spurred wealth and immigration from Europe.
The Anglo-Zulu War (1879) resulted in the incorporation of the Zulu kingdom's territory into the British Empire. Subsequently, the Afrikaner republics were incorporated into the British Empire after their defeat in the Second South African War (1899-1902). However, the British and the Afrikaners ruled together beginning in 1910 under the Union of South Africa, which became a republic in 1961 after a Whites-only referendum.

In 1948, the National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid – billed as "separate development" of the races - which favored the White minority at the expense of the Black majority and other non-White groups. The African National Congress (ANC) led the opposition to apartheid and many top ANC leaders, such as Nelson MANDELA, spent decades in South Africa's prisons. Internal protests and insurgency, as well as boycotts by some Western nations and institutions, led to the regime's eventual willingness to negotiate a peaceful transition to majority rule.
The first multi-racial elections in 1994 following the end of apartheid ushered in majority rule under an ANC-led government.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-africa/

 

Cultural Insights

South Africans are by custom polite and circumspect in their speech, although residents of the major urban centers may bemoan the decline of once-common courtesies.

Black Africans strongly mark social categories of age, gender, kinship, and status in their etiquette. Particular honor and pride of place are granted to age, genealogical seniority, male adulthood, and political position.
Comparable forms with cognate emphasis on age, gender, and seniority are practiced in Muslim, Hindu, and Jewish communities.

South Africans of British origin insist on a calm, distanced reserve mixed with a pleasant humor in social interactions, regardless of their private opinions of others.

Afrikaners are rather more direct and sharp in their encounters, more quick to express their thoughts and feelings towards others, and not given to social legerdemain.

In general, despite the aggressive rudeness that afflicts stressful modern urban life everywhere, South Africans are by custom hospitable, helpful, sympathetic, and most anxious to avoid verbal conflict or unsociable manners. Even among strangers, one of the strongest criticisms one can make in South Africa of another is that the person is "rude."

Source: https://www.everyculture.com/Sa-Th/South-Africa.html

 

Transportation

By Air
South Africa’s three major international airports are O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg), Cape Town International Airport and King Shaka International Airport (Durban).

Source: https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/category/what-you-need-to-know

 

Money

There are limits on the amount of currency you can bring into South Africa. For cash in South African Rand (ZAR), the limit is 25,000ZAR. For combinations of cash in other currencies, the limit is US$10,000 (or equivalent). You should declare any amount higher than this on entry to South Africa.

Most major international credit cards are accepted throughout South Africa. Although widely accepted, American express and Diners Club sometimes may not be accepted .

ATMs are widespread and most will allow visitors to withdraw Rands directly from bank or credit cards.

Forex desks are situated at most airports to exchange currency. In addition to this, most major retail banks are able to assist with currency exchange. Forex desks will produce quote for the exchange which must be agreed to in order to exchange currency.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa
https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/category/what-you-need-to-know

 

Health

South Africa requires all travelers coming from or transiting through yellow fever risk countries to show proof of yellow fever vaccination.

South Africa has a very high standard of private medical care. Public medical care varies across South Africa, and standards of treatment and hygiene may not be the same as you would expect in the Western World.
Most medical practitioners speak English, particularly in major cities and tourist areas.

Private health care can be expensive, so make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of medical treatment abroad, and repatriation.

For emergency services in South Africa, dial 10111. Ambulance services are widely available.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the Embassy of South Africa to ensure the medication is legal in South Africa. Always, carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.
If you take regular medication, make sure you can access a repeat prescription if you need to. Most medicines that require a prescription from a doctor at home will require a script in South Africa (‘script’ is the widely used term in South Africa for ‘prescription’).
If you need a prescription you can visit a local doctor. The doctor might prescribe on the basis of your visit, or they may ask you to obtain an electronic prescription from your medical practitioner at home.

Pharmacies are readily available, with larger pharmacy groups Dis-Chem and Clicks having stores across the country. Some (but not all) of these stores have medical practitioners on site who can write prescriptions.

South Africa is known for having some of the safest and cleanest drinking waters in urban areas. In more remote areas, travelers tend to use bottled water, which is available from most shops.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/SouthAfrica.html
https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/category/what-you-need-to-know

 

Electricity

South Africa operates on a 230V supply voltage and uses type C, M and N plugs.

The Type C electrical plug (or Europlug) is a two-wire plug that has two round pins. It fits into any socket that accepts 4.0 – 4.8 mm round contacts on 19 mm centres. They are being replaced by E, F, J, K or N sockets which work perfectly with Type C plugs.

The Type M plug has three round pins in a triangular pattern and looks similar to the Indian Type D plug, but its pins are much larger. Type M plugs are sometimes used for bigger appliances in countries that make use of Type D plugs, as well as in Israel (Type H). Therefore, sockets in these countries sometimes work with Type M plugs.

There are two variations of the Type N plug, one rated at 10 amps, and one at 20 amps. The 10 amp version has two round pins that are 4 mm thick, and a grounding pin. The 20 amp version, used for heavier appliances, has two round pins 4.8 mm in diameter, and a grounding pin. The Type N socket was designed to work with Type C plugs as well.

Source: https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs

 

Communication

Time zone in South Africa: South Africa Standard Time (GMT+2)

International country code – 27

South Africa’s telecom sector boasts one of the most advanced infrastructures on the continent. The focus in recent years has been on back haul capacity and on fiber and LTE networks to extend and improve internet service connectivity. With the ongoing migration to fiber, the incumbent telco expects to close down its copper network in 2024.
The mobile sector has developed strongly in recent years, partly due to the poor availability and level of service of fixed-line networks, which meant that many people had no alternative to mobile networks for voice and data services.

Source: https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/south-africa/

 

Entry Requirements

If you’re a citizen of another country and want to travel to South Africa then you need a visa. The “visitor” visa is for international travelers who permanently reside outside South Africa. It’s also for those who wish to visit the country on a more temporary basis for tourism or business purposes. Once acquired, this visa is valid for a no longer than 90 days.
Having a visa simply means that your application has been reviewed at a South African embassy, mission or consulate and that the consular officer has determined you eligible to enter the country for the reason you stated.
The visa will grant you access to the South African port of entry, where an immigration official will determine if you are allowed to enter the country and for how long. Always remember, all visitors are restricted only to the activity or reason for which their visas were issued.
Once here, the visa is considered to be a visitor’s permit. The permit’s period of validity is set from the date you came in and will be set out under the heading “conditions” on the visa label.

Depending on where you’re from, visa requirements differ from country to country and the requirements are subject to change. Each application is treated as an individual case, hence you should ask your nearest South African mission or consulate abroad or any office of the Department of Home Affairs to see whether or not you are even supposed to apply for a visa.

Remember, there is a fee that will be charged for issuing you a visa, and you should check the cost with the office as well as this is updated annually. The fee is payable in different currencies in different countries.

It is incredibly important to get your visas. These are not issued at South African ports of entry, and airline officials are obliged to insist on visas before allowing passengers to board.

Source: https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/category/what-you-need-to-know/here-s-what-you-need-to-know-about-visas

 

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy in Pretoria
877 Pretorius St
Arcadia, Pretoria
Phone: +27 (12) 431-4000


High Commission of Canada in Pretoria
1103 Arcadia Street
Hatfield, Pretoria, 0083
Phone: +27 (12) 422-3000

Consulate of Canada in Cape Town
12 2nd Ave, Boston
Bellville, Cape Town, 7530
Phone: +27 (21) 945-2429

Source: for USA https://www.usembassy.gov/
For Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates

 

UNESCO Sites

Fossil Hominid Sites of South Africa
The Taung Skull Fossil Site, part of the extension to the site inscribed in 1999, is the place where in 1924 the celebrated Taung Skull – a specimen of the species Australopithecus africanus – was found. Makapan Valley, also in the site, features in its many archaeological caves traces of human occupation and evolution dating back some 3.3 million years. The area contains essential elements that define the origin and evolution of humanity. Fossils found there have enabled the identification of several specimens of early hominids, more particularly of Paranthropus, dating back between 4.5 million and 2.5 million years, as well as evidence of the domestication of fire 1.8 million to 1 million years ago.

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape
Mapungubwe is set hard against the northern border of South Africa, joining Zimbabwe and Botswana. It is an open, expansive savannah landscape at the confluence of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers. Mapungubwe developed into the largest kingdom in the sub-continent before it was abandoned in the 14th century. What survives are the almost untouched remains of the palace sites and also the entire settlement area dependent upon them, as well as two earlier capital sites, the whole presenting an unrivalled picture of the development of social and political structures over some 400 years.

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape
The 160,000 ha Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape of dramatic mountainous desert in north-western South Africa constitutes a cultural landscape communally owned and managed. This site sustains the semi-nomadic pastoral livelihood of the Nama people, reflecting seasonal patterns that may have persisted for as much as two millennia in southern Africa. It is the only area where the Nama still construct portable rush-mat houses (haru om ) and includes seasonal migrations and grazing grounds, together with stock posts. The pastoralists collect medicinal and other plants and have a strong oral tradition associated with different places and attributes of the landscape.

Robben Island
Robben Island was used at various times between the 17th and 20th centuries as a prison, a hospital for socially unacceptable groups and a military base. Its buildings, particularly those of the late 20th century such as the maximum security prison for political prisoners, witness the triumph of democracy and freedom over oppression and racism.

ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape
The ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape is located at the border with Botswana and Namibia in the northern part of the country, coinciding with the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park (KGNP). The large expanse of sand contains evidence of human occupation from the Stone Age to the present and is associated with the culture of the formerly nomadic ǂKhomani San people and the strategies that allowed them to adapt to harsh desert conditions. They developed a specific ethnobotanical knowledge, cultural practices and a worldview related to the geographical features of their environment. The ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape bears testimony to the way of life that prevailed in the region and shaped the site over thousands of years.

Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains
Situated in north-eastern South Africa, the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains comprises 40% of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, one of the world’s oldest geological structures. The property represents the best-preserved succession of volcanic and sedimentary rock dating back 3.6 to 3.25 billion years and forms a diverse repository of information on surface conditions, meteorite impacts, volcanism, continent-building processes and the environment of early life.

Cape Floral Region Protected Areas
Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2004, the property is located at the south-western extremity of South Africa. It is one of the world’s great centres of terrestrial biodiversity. The extended property includes national parks, nature reserves, wilderness areas, State forests and mountain catchment areas. These elements add a significant number of endemic species associated with the Fynbos vegetation, a fine-leaved sclerophyllic shrubland adapted to both a Mediterranean climate and periodic fires, which is unique to the Cape Floral Region.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park
The ongoing fluvial, marine and aeolian processes in the site have produced a variety of landforms, including coral reefs, long sandy beaches, coastal dunes, lake systems, swamps, and extensive reed and papyrus wetlands. The interplay of the park's environmental heterogeneity with major floods and coastal storms and a transitional geographic location between subtropical and tropical Africa has resulted in exceptional species diversity and ongoing speciation. The mosaic of landforms and habitat types creates breathtaking scenic vistas. The site contains critical habitats for a range of species from Africa's marine, wetland and savannah environments.

Vredefort Dome
Vredefort Dome, approximately 120 km south-west of Johannesburg, is a representative part of a larger meteorite impact structure, or astrobleme. Dating back 2,023 million years, it is the oldest astrobleme yet found on Earth. With a radius of 190 km, it is also the largest and the most deeply eroded. Vredefort Dome bears witness to the world’s greatest known single energy release event, which had devastating global effects including, according to some scientists, major evolutionary changes. It provides critical evidence of the Earth’s geological history and is crucial to understanding of the evolution of the planet. Despite the importance of impact sites to the planet’s history, geological activity on the Earth’s surface has led to the disappearance of evidence from most of them, and Vredefort is the only example to provide a full geological profile of an astrobleme below the crater floor.

Maloti-Drakensberg Park
The Maloti-Drakensberg Park is a transnational property composed of the uKhahlamba Drakensberg National Park in South Africa and the Sehlathebe National Park in Lesotho. The site has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandstone ramparts as well as visually spectacular sculptured arches, caves, cliffs, pillars and rock pools. The site's diversity of habitats protects a high level of endemic and globally important plants. The site harbors endangered species such as the Cape vulture (Gyps coprotheres) and the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus). Lesotho’s Sehlabathebe National Park also harbors the Maloti minnow (Pseudobarbus quathlambae), a critically endangered fish species only found in this park. This spectacular natural site contains many caves and rock-shelters with the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa south of the Sahara. They represent the spiritual life of the San people, who lived in this area over a period of 4,000 years.

Source: https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/za