all in a day's work by Dawn via Flickr Creative Commons

Travelers with passports from the US, UK, Canada, and Australia are given 90-day tourist visas upon arrival in South Africa. The Department of Home Affairs can provide more information about the entry requirements for other nationalities.

Health and Safety

Crime levels in South Africa are relatively high and visitors need to maintain a certain degree of vigilance. It is best to travel as part of a group or with a guide. It is also advised to avoid unlit city areas at night and driving in rural areas after dark. When leaving a parked car or RV, valuables should always be hidden. The same applies when driving as there have been occasional reports of drivers having their windows broken in while waiting at stop lights.

Crime in tourism areas and the main cities is less of a problem as the authorities have put a high priority on protecting travelers. However, pickpockets and bag-snatchers still operate at airports, train and bus stations. Be especially careful at Johannesburg Airport as the facility has a reputation for theft from bags so always carry valuables with you.

Malaria is common in some provinces and national parks. If planning on going to KwaZulu, Limpopo or Kruger National Park, consult your physician at least six weeks prior to your trip to ensure you’re prescribed the correct anti-malarial medicines and your vaccinations are up-to-date. Wear clothes that cover the arms and legs and sleep in screened rooms to reduce the risk of bites from malaria- or dengue fever-infected mosquitoes.

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