Useful Information

South Africa had been on my list for a long time, and I finally got the chance to visit after quitting my job — not exactly planned, but definitely worth it.

 

Since I only had about two weeks, I focused on the east coast in KwaZulu-Natal, which turned out to be a great choice if your goal is wildlife. Between safaris and diving, I managed to get exactly what I came for: seeing the Big 5, and honestly, more than I expected.

Entry Requirements

For most Europeans, entering South Africa is very straightforward:

  • You get 90 days (3 months) visa-free entry on arrival

  • Your passport should be valid for at least 30 days after departure and have blank pages

 

If you want to stay longer, visa runs are relatively easy:

  • You need to leave to a non-neighbouring country

  • Stay out for at least 5 days before re-entering

Internet & SIM Cards

While eSIMs are convenient, they are significantly more expensive than local options. A much better alternative is Vodacom:

  • You can buy a SIM card directly at the airport

  • I started with 10GB, which is enough to get going

 

Here’s the trick most people don’t know:

  • Create a Vodacom account

  • Top up airtime (not data directly)

  • Use that airtime to buy data bundles at much cheaper rates. For example: 150GB for ~600 rand

 

You can buy airtime in stores like:

  • SPAR

  • Vodacom shops

 

Important:

You usually can’t top up online with a foreign card, so buying airtime physically is the easiest workaround.

Safety

South Africa has a reputation when it comes to safety, and while some of it is justified, it’s also very location-dependent.

In areas like: Sodwana Bay, St. Lucia and Scottburgh, I personally felt completely safe and never had any issues.

 

That said:

  • Pickpocketing can happen

  • Be aware of your surroundings

  • Don’t flash valuables

  • Use common sense (like you would anywhere else)

  • Don't go out at night too much (we avoided this)

 

I didn’t visit major cities, so I can’t speak much about those, but overall: be street smart, not paranoid

Getting Around

South Africa is very car-dependent, especially outside major cities. While there are local minibus taxis, I would not recommend using them:

  • Driving style is… chaotic

  • Not ideal with luggage

  • Safety can be questionable

 

Renting a car gives you:

  • Full freedom

  • Ability to self-drive safaris (huge money saver)

  • Flexibility to explore properly

 

However, driving is not always easy. Especially the road to St. Lucia is particularly dangerous.

  • People overtake constantly (even when it doesn’t seem possible)

  • On single-lane roads, you’re expected to shift slightly to the side to create space

  • Overtaking happens from both directions at the same time

  • Roads are unlit at night and there are lots of invisible speed bumps

 

It sounds chaotic, and honestly… sometimes it is. Tips:

  • Don’t rush

  • Stay aware at all times

  • Stick to speed limits (police checks are common)

  • Avoid driving at night when possible

 

Also: try to avoid driving on Friday and Saturday nights due to drunk drivers, it’s a real issue.

 

In bigger towns/cities like Johannesburg, Uber is a safe and still affordable option to get around!

Cash & Card

South Africa is surprisingly card-friendly, even in more rural areas. I mainly used my WISE card and had no issues at all.

 

That said:

  • Always carry some cash as backup

  • Power outages (load shedding) still happen

  • When that happens, card machines may not work

 

So yes, card is king, but cash is your safety net.

Other Tips

  • Language: English is widely spoken, so communication is easy

  • Travel insurance: Not optional, just get it

  • Power outages: Bring a power bank everywhere

  • Sun exposure: The sun here is no joke, strong sunscreen is essential

  • Night safety: Even if you feel safe, avoid walking around at night

  • Wildlife awareness: Always respect animals and keep distance, this isn’t a zoo. With what happened to us in iSimangaliso, we truly understood that these animals are still wild!

  • Don't leave any belongings in the car