Internet, Electricity & Communication
Mobile & Internet
EU roaming does NOT apply in South Africa! Buy a local SIM card at the airport or in a Vodacom / MTN shop:
- Vodacom: Largest network, best coverage. Tourist SIM with 10 GB for about 150 ZAR (€7.50).
- MTN: Similarly good coverage, affordable data packages.
Wi-Fi is available almost everywhere in hotels, cafes, and restaurants and is usually fast. Cape Town has a modern fiber-optic network in most districts.
Electricity & Load Shedding
South Africa uses 230V with type M/N sockets (three-pin, round — unique to South Africa!). You need a special adapter — the universal travel adapter often doesn't have a South African plug. Hotels usually have adapters upon request.
Load Shedding: South Africa's energy provider Eskom schedules power outages when the grid is overloaded. The outages have been significantly reduced recently but can still occur. Hotels and restaurants usually have generators — you will hardly notice it. The EskomSePush app shows the current load-shedding status and schedule for your area.
Money & Payment
- Currency: South African Rand (ZAR). €1 ≈ 20–22 ZAR.
- Credit cards: Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere — even at many market stalls. Amex less so.
- ATMs: Available everywhere. ONLY withdraw in enclosed spaces (supermarkets, malls)!
- Tips: 10–15% in restaurants (often not included), 10–20 ZAR for parking attendants, 20–50 ZAR for housekeeping per day. Tipping is an important income contribution — please be generous.
