German citizens do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Upon entry, a free Visitor's Permit is stamped into the passport. Entry Requirements Passport — valid for at least 30 days beyond the end of the trip and with at least 2 blank pages (strictly checked!) Return ticket — may be requested upon

The topic of safety deters many potential South Africa travelers. The reality is more nuanced: Millions of tourists visit South Africa every year without incident. However, the crime rate is high, and certain precautions are indispensable. The Most Important Rules Don't walk through unknown areas:

Vaccinations No mandatory vaccinations for direct entry from Germany. Recommended (Robert Koch Institute): Hepatitis A (standard travel vaccination) Hepatitis B Typhoid (for longer stays) Rabies (if in contact with wild animals/dogs) Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio (refresh) Malaria Malaria area: Krug

The currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). Coins: 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5. Notes: R10, R20, R50, R100, R200. Mandela's portrait adorns all notes. Exchange Rate 1 EUR ≈ 19–21 ZAR (fluctuates). Simple rule of thumb: Rand amount divided by 20 = Euro. So: R200 ≈ 10€, R1,000 ≈ 50€. Cash or Card?

Electricity & Adapter

South Africa uses the Type M plug (three round pins, triangular layout). This plug is almost unique worldwide and not compatible with German plugs. You need an adapter! Voltage: 230V, 50Hz — identical to Germany (no transformer needed) Adapter: Best to buy in Germany (Amazon: "South Africa Adapter"

Load Shedding (Power Outages)

Load shedding is South Africa's most frustrating peculiarity: scheduled power outages by the state energy provider Eskom, because the power plants cannot meet demand. Depending on the "stage" (1–8), power is cut in blocks of 2–4 hours, up to several times a day. What Does This Mean for Travelers?

In South Africa, driving is on the left. For Germans, the biggest adjustment when driving yourself. The most important tips can be found in → Chap. Arrival: Rental Car & Left-Hand Traffic. Summary Book automatic — shifting with the right hand in left-hand traffic is a recipe for mistakes Roundabou

SIM Card A South African SIM card is dirt cheap and the best option for mobile internet: Providers: Vodacom (best network), MTN, Cell C, Telkom Mobile Price: SIM card about 5 ZAR + data package (e.g., 10 GB for about 150 ZAR / 8€) Where to buy: At the airport (Vodacom/MTN shops) or in any supermark

Basic Vocabulary Afrikaans

Afrikaans is a Germanic language that evolved from Dutch — as a German speaker, you'll recognize many words! It is mainly spoken in the Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Free State. GermanAfrikaansPronunciation HelloHallo / HowzitHa-loh / Hau-sit Good morningGoeie moreChuje more Good eveningGoeie

Basic Vocabulary Zulu (isiZulu)

isiZulu is the most spoken native language in South Africa (23%). The click sounds (C, Q, X) are challenging for Europeans, but South Africans are thrilled by every attempt! GermanZuluPronunciation HelloSawubonaSa-wu-bona Hello (response)YeboJebo How are you?Unjani?Un-dschani? I am fineNgiyaphila

South African English has many unique words and expressions that you will hear everywhere: ExpressionMeaning HowzitUniversal greeting (How is it?) LekkerTasty/cool/super — the most versatile word BraaiGrilling — NEVER say "barbecue"! Bru / BraBuddy, brother Ja-nee"Yes-no" — means agreement (yes,

Home Travel GuidesSouth Africa

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Travel Guide South Africa

Your complete travel guide for the Rainbow Nation

Capitals:Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein

Languages:11 official languages

Currency:Rand (ZAR) — 1€ ≈ 20 ZAR

Entry:Passport (no visa up to 90 days)

Best Travel Time:Sep–Oct (Combination Trip)

Flight Time:10.5–11.5 hours

Last updated: 10 March 2026 · 14 Chapters · 79 Sections

RECOMMENDED

Route Suggestions

The Classic: Cape Town + Garden Route + Safari

18–21 days

The ultimate South Africa tour for first-time visitors: city, wine, coast, nature, and safari. Perfect for 3 weeks.

KapstadtStellenboschHermanusKnysnaTsitsikammaJeffrey's BayFlug nach JohannesburgPanorama RouteKrüger-Nationalpark

Cape Town & Winelands Intensive

7–10 days

Perfect for a shorter holiday: experience Cape Town in depth, combined with the world's best wine regions.

KapstadtKaphalbinselStellenboschFranschhoekPaarlHermanus

Safari & Wilderness

7–10 days

For safari enthusiasts: from Kruger to the private game reserves to KwaZulu-Natal.

JohannesburgPanorama RouteKrüger (SANParks)Sabi Sands (Private Lodge)Hluhluwe-ImfoloziiSimangaliso

Garden Route Roadtrip

7–10 days

The classic Garden Route self-drive tour from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.

KapstadtHermanusMossel BayOudtshoornKnysnaPlettenberg BayTsitsikammaJeffrey's BayAddo Elephant Park

History & Culture

10–12 days

South Africa's moving history from apartheid to the rainbow nation — for those who want to understand more deeply.

JohannesburgSowetoPretoriaBattlefields (KZN)DurbanDrakensbergeKapstadtRobben Island

All Chapters

Planning· 2 Chapters

Chapter 1

Welcome to South Africa

6 Sections

Chapter 2

Arrival & Transport

3 Sections

Regions· 6 Chapters

Chapter 3

Cape Town & Western Cape

9 Sections · 1 Walking Tour

Chapter 4

Garden Route

8 Sections

Chapter 5

Kruger National Park & Mpumalanga

6 Sections

Chapter 6

KwaZulu-Natal

6 Sections

Chapter 7

Johannesburg & Gauteng

8 Sections

Chapter 8

Drakensberge & Panorama Route

8 Sections

Understanding· 4 Chapters

Chapter 9

History & Society

4 Sections

Chapter 10

Food & Drink

3 Sections

Chapter 11

Nature & Wildlife

3 Sections

Chapter 12

Art & Culture

3 Sections

Practical· 2 Chapters

Chapter 13

Practical Info A-Z

9 Sections

Chapter 14

Language Guide

3 Sections

Discover More Travel Guides

Regions at a Glance

Cape Town & Western Cape

The "Mother City" at the foot of Table Mountain: V&A Waterfront, Bo-Kaap, Cape of Good Hope, Robben Island, and the world-class wine regions of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.

Table MountainCape of Good HopeRobben IslandStellenbosch+1

Suedafrika

Garden Route

300 km of dream road between ocean, rainforest, and lagoons — from Mossel Bay to Storms River.

Hermanus (whales)KnysnaTsitsikammaOudtshoorn+1

Suedafrika

Kruger & Mpumalanga

South Africa's safari crown jewel: Kruger National Park with the Big Five and the spectacular Panorama Route.

Big Five SafariBlyde River CanyonSabi SandsGod's Window+1

Suedafrika

KwaZulu-Natal

Subtropical beaches, the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, wildlife reserves, and rich Zulu culture.

DurbanDrakensbergiSimangalisoHluhluwe-Imfolozi+1

Suedafrika

Johannesburg & Gauteng

South Africa's vibrant metropolis: Apartheid Museum, Soweto, Constitution Hill, and the Cradle of Humankind.

SowetoApartheid MuseumCradle of HumankindPretoria+1

Suedafrika

Drakensberge & Panorama Route

Südafrikas spektakulärste Bergketten: UNESCO-geschützte Drakensberge mit Amphitheater und San-Felsmalereien, plus die Panorama Route mit Blyde River Canyon und God's Window.

Amphitheater (Royal Natal)Tugela FallsBlyde River CanyonGod's Window+2

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Strukturierte Daten · verifizierbar · nicht kopiert

Schlüsseldaten

Daten: Wikidata

Einwohner: 62.027.503(2022)
Fläche: 1.221.037 km²
Hauptstadt: Pretoria
Währung: südafrikanischer Rand
Amtssprache: Englisch, Afrikaans, Süd-Ndebele, Nord-Sotho
Vorwahl: +27
Zeitzone: UTC+2
Gegründet: 1910-05-31

Klima & Reisewetter

Berechnet aus 10 Jahren · Open-Meteo

Beste Reisezeit: Apr–Sep — basierend auf Tagestemperaturen 20–30 °C und trockenen Monaten (aus den 10-Jahres-Mittelwerten unten abgeleitet).

Monat	Jan	Feb	Mär	Apr	Mai	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dez
Ø °C	27	26	23	18	15	11	11	14	19	22	24	26
Tag (max)	34°	33°	31°	26°	23°	20°	20°	23°	28°	31°	33°	34°
Nacht (min)	19°	18°	16°	12°	7°	4°	3°	5°	9°	13°	16°	18°
Regen mm	59	46	45	57	13	12	4	8	12	20	32	55