Bring games like bananagrams or cards to play with everyone. This is quite common, so use your own judgment on whether or not you want to give them some small change. Do be Straightforward and Honest. DO look into the superb, luxurious hotels and very affordable self-catering and long-stay accommodations offered by the ANEW group of hotels throughout South Africa. Townships are underdeveloped urban areas on the outskirts of cities. Even though there is no law in South Africa stating that you have to pay them for minding your car, it is standard practice here. Note: Mzansi's, the #1 Cape Town restaurant on TripAdvisor as I write this, doesn't count.
But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. Help the small local subsidence farmer by purchasing from markets street and road sides stalls where possible. This probably also goes without saying, but be wary of strangers approaching you at ATMs and never share your pin with anyone. If there's a problem, they tend to fix it, no questions asked. Never trust any claim that "we have WiFi, " no matter what your Airbnb host or server or barista says. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. ✓ Do ask for tap water. Where is best to change money in South Africa? Avoid walking alone when possible, especially at night. Don't #2: DO NOT GO TO A TOWNSHIP. So bring a warm layer with you wherever you go, just in case. South Africa is HUGE and covers approximately 1, 219, 090 sq km.
The thing turned out to be surprisingly useful! If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you get motion sick ride in the front of the van. Also, refrain from talking with your mouth full of food. For example, during the COVID pandemic, certain restrictions were far more severe than in normal times but most of these are already a thing of the past in South Africa. 0800 calls are free for landlines and mobiles. Wear sunscreen and a good hat. This means if you drink 2 drinks within 1 hour you will likely be over the legal limit. South Africa actually has 11 official languages, but almost everyone can speak English. The most helpful options are to either give food or make a donation to homeless shelters such as 'The Haven' based in Cape Town.
If you find the conversation offensive (this is possible in the company of some, unfortunately), find a way to change the topic, or discreetly excuse yourself. It is perfectly normal in South Africa and ensures your car is being looked after. Cherish this, because it's not easily won, and you can know that you've made friends for life. The heat here is unforgiving and it is advised to take all necessary measures to avoid sunburns, especially when visiting the beach or going on hikes to see scenic views. Make it a point to carry sunscreens, wear hats, and hydrate well.
Visit this one-of-a-kind experience as it is the highest bungee jump from a bridge. It's best to hop in a taxi or Uber (only in big cities). Are any of them very different? As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. Feel free to share your best South Africa travel tips, things to know before visiting South Africa, travel advice, and anything in between in the comments below! If the service was good, 15% minimum is acceptable, while more will be highly appreciated. Most venues and shops take credit cards and travel currency options and ATMs can be found all over, even in rural areas, to draw cash, so DO rather use these options. To save your car's windows from the same fate, don't leave anything in your car when you park on the street. If you really want to do some good, then donate to groups like IMBEWU. Most restaurants do not include a service charge in the bill. Also, tips are expected for services like washing hair at salon and the like.
After spending nine weeks solo traveling through the country, I did find that I had to take more precautions than I do in Southeast Asia or Germany, but the dangers are not all that different from the big cities back home in the United States or other parts of Europe. Gigantic subway sandwiches stuffed with fries, cheeses, sauces, and various meats. There are many vendors to choose from inside the airport, with Vodacom, MTN and Cell C being the most popular service providers. Taking taxis in South Africa. Spend two days in Cape Town, then get out of the city to explore and experience more of South Africa's amazing variety. Do not call Afrikaners "Dutchmen" and Do not call Afrikaans "Kitchen Dutch. "
Sit with new people at dinner! Put the phone away and take it out when safely at home or in a café. If you are driving, you'll notice car guards approaching you as soon as you park. As we share in our unique Cape Town restaurant guide (and on the free treasure map), our favorite is from Cozy Corner. A Cape Town-based page-turner about an American tourist on the run from a mysterious gang and the cops who're trying to save her. A former investment banker who sold all of her belongings and left California in 2012, Kristin has solo traveled the world for over ever since. They're friendly places. If you're looking to find a formal Afrikaans school of etiquette, South Africa will disappoint you, as there is none. These are always best obtained from your Travel Advisor as they can change all the time. If you are bringing along a hairdryer or hair straightener, be sure to invest in a good converter too.
Yes, you read right – car guards. For full booking conditions visit Booking Conditions. While your host won't ban you from their company if you're not up to standard, it's considered a subtle show of respect when you arrive at any event clean, neat-looking, and smelling fresh. So, leave early if you want to get somewhere on time and be patient on roads as you will find slow moving traffic. If South Africa isn't on your travel radar yet, it sure should be! DO conduct some research on the country you are to visit, not only for interest's sake but to get good advice on its specific travel requirements and cultural nuances. Nothing screams tourist more than a kid in khaki shorts and a pith helmet climbing aboard the jeep. If you must walk, take in your surroundings, look in every direction and make a point of letting everyone know that you're paying attention by keeping your head up and looking alert. This is one of the most important travel tips for South Africa, so please keep it in mind! Therefore, it's a good idea to always carry some small change on you. Though crime rates are higher in the townships (settlements established during apartheid for forced racial segregation), staying safe does not mean staying out of them altogether. Crime is rampant in South Africa and although this shouldn't deter you from visiting, you should be fully and completely aware that car–jacking, armed robbery, and petty theft do occur here.
If the conversation is raised, do not presume the person's position and recognise that many South Africans are aware of the affluence and power (or lack of) that they hold within their population. If you are traveling with a camera, make sure it is not in plain sight. Taxis are generally safe here. Yet another essential South Africa travel tip I can give you is to be realistic about how much time you have to spend in South Africa. The Afrikaans culture is a hot-pot of a mix, as said, but it's mostly modeled after the U. K. English and the Dutch culture. Most Cape Town restaurants allow it for only a modest corkage fee of thirty to sixty rands. If you are interested to learn more about South Africa (or southern Africa in general) to inform your planning I have a number of other articles which may be of interest including our South Africa travel guide with more practical tips and advice to help you plan your trip. Here's an AfrikaansPod101 blog post to learn How to Say Hello in Afrikaans; it has some pointers with regards to etiquette, too. With booze being cheap and plentiful, it's not uncommon to catch us having a cocktail at sunset, tasting wine in the wine lands, drinking a few beers at the local bar after work, or just chilling at a braai on weekends.
There might be a difference in socket board plug faces from your homeland so make sure you carry plug adapters for your electronic gadgets or they might end up being dead in your bags and remain unused for the purpose that you have brought them for. It has everything from advanced, experimental travel tips and tricks to practical but oft-overlooked ones to dumb advice we hear others give too often (and what to do instead). Don't forget to set alarms! Thirdly, most of the standard train tracks have been vandalized. Avoid Religious Discussions.
Don'ts: - don't eat the fruit or vegetables if they have been washed in regular water. Remember, keep your wits about you!