Few visitors to South Africa will arrive with no preconceived ideas about the country.  Its turbulent history has meant that it has had a prominent place in the news broadcasts of the last 30 years. However, the reality of South Africa today is quite different.

In many respects the mechanics of travelling in South Africa are remarkably similar to travelling in North America, Australia, or Europe, and this section of our guide covers essential travel information to help ensure you are prepared for your trip.

Visitors from most European countries as well as the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. More visa information and links to government travel advice can be found on our Visa & Travel Advice page.

Whilst South Africa has been widely promoted as a 'Winter sun' destination to Europeans, the climate in much of the country is excellent for most of the year.

The European Summer is actually the best time to visit for a safari, whale watching, and many other attractions. For more information, see our Climate page.

Current exchange rates as well as information on how to get cash can be found on our Money page, and the excellent mobile phone network and internet availability are covered under Phones & Internet.