South Africa Travel Guide

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Passports and Visas

Passports must be valid for at least six months days beyond the period of intended stay. An onward or return ticket is required and evidence of sufficient funds. Note that visitors to South Africa must have at least twoconsecutive blank (unstamped) pages in their passport, each time entry is sought; these pages are in addition to the endorsement/amendment pages at the back of the passport. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Americans

United States nationals need a passport valid for at least 30 days beyond intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

UK Nationals

British nationals need a passport valid for 30 days beyond intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days if passport is endorsed British Citizen including Guernsey, Jersey and Isle of Man, British Dependent Territories Citizen, or British Overseas Territories Citizen (Virgin Islands). Those whose passports state British National (Overseas) may stay up to 30 days without a visa. All others require a visa. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

Canadians

Canadian nationals need a passport valid for 30 days beyond intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

Australians

Australian nationals need a passport valid for 30 days beyond intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

Irish Nationals

Irish nationals require a passport valid for 30 days beyond intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

New Zealanders

New Zealand nationals require a passport valid for 30 days beyond intended travel, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Passports and passport replacing documents of all non-South African nationals must contain at least one unused visa page. The South African Immigration Authorities do not accept loose leaf temporary travel documents. Visitors are required to show proof of funds as well as all onward tickets and travel documentation for their next destination.

Healthcare

Health regulations in South Africa require that travelers from areas infected by yellow fever must carry a vaccination certificate; otherwise no vaccination is required. There is a malaria risk in the low-lying areas of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park), as well as north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal, and precautions are advised when traveling to these areas. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Tap water is safe in urban areas but sterilization is advisable elsewhere, as there are periodic outbreaks of cholera in the poor communities of rural South Africa, particularly in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces. Drug-resistant TB has been reported throughout the country. Food poisoning is rare. Medical facilities in South Africa are good, but medical insurance is strongly advised as private hospitals expect cash upfront and public hospitals are best avoided.

Safety

Safety is an issue and visitors to South Africa should be aware of the country's high incidence of crime. Although this tends to be concentrated in pockets throughout the country, for example in the township areas, opportunistic crime is fairly widespread. Travelers should always be aware of these risks and exercise the necessary precautions. Doors should be locked when driving and one should not walk alone at night in city streets, isolated beaches or remote areas. Berea and Hillbrow in Johannesburg are high-risk areas and visitors should be cautious in these areas. There have been recent incidents of robbery involving hikers walking on Table Mountain and Lions Head in Cape Town so visitors should avoid hiking alone. Be vigilant when using ATMs and do not display signs of wealth (e.g. mobile phones, money, expensive jewelry) on the streets. It is worthwhile noting that the South African authorities do give high priority to the protection of tourists. Power outages are common throughout the country; frequent blackouts and rolling power cuts in January 2008 has forced the government to acknowledge that the country has an electricity crisis on its hands.