The Republic of South Africa, located at the southern tip of the African continent, is in the Southern Hemisphere. It borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini. Offering iconic road trips, epic wildlife experiences and some of the world’s finest wine regions, South Africa is a destination for big adventures.
Here is essential information to help you plan your flights to Pretoria and ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Planning Your Trip
A flight from London to Cape Town takes just under 12 hours. There are great deals on flights to South Africa year-round with British Airways. If you’re planning to travel during the country’s peak season, which runs between November and March, it’s worth remembering that the price of accommodation might be higher. For those on a budget, consider a visit during the South African winter from June to August. It’s possible to tailor your trip to South Africa to suit any budget. Renowned for its excellent tourist infrastructure and huge variety of accommodation, there are plenty of affordable options too.
Despite the large distances, it’s easy to travel around South Africa. The Gautrain is the most efficient way to reach Johannesburg city centre from the airport. You can also hire a car with British Airways if you want to see more of what South Africa has to offer.
Baggage Allowance
You can book a hand baggage-only ticket or make the most of our generous baggage allowance. If you choose economy standard or one of our British Airways Holidays’ packages, each passenger can check in a bag weighing up to 23kg - in addition to a handbag, laptop case or other small bag. Families travelling in any cabin with younger children can also check in one car seat and one fully collapsible pushchair. If you’re flying in our business cabin, you can check in two bags weighing up to 32kg each.
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Visa Requirements
British passport holders don’t need a visa for travel to South Africa, as long as you’re visiting for 90 days or less. The Embassy of the Republic of South Africa provides the most current visa information. South Africa has special requirements for minors traveling through its ports of entry. Make sure your insurance plan works abroad. citizens should consider buying medical evacuation insurance. We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel.
Health and Safety
If you are entering South Africa from a yellow fever risk country, you must show a valid "yellow card" vaccination certificate. Yellow fever: Required for travelers who come from designated countries by the WHO. It is 6 or 7 hours ahead of Washington D.C.
Know BEFORE You Go! SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦 Essential Travel Tips
Safety Tips
- Violent crime is common and includes robbery, rape, carjacking and mugging.
- Kidnapping is a threat in South Africa. Captors often force victims to withdraw cash or give online account passwords before they are let go.
- Theft can be bold and in broad daylight. diplomats report cell phones being stolen from their hands.
- Avoid vehicles transporting cash on the road, as well as at ATMs. Criminal gangs often target these vehicles. They ambush them with automatic weapons and explosives.
- Avoid visiting informal settlements (townships) unless you go with someone who knows the area. mission staff must use fully armored vehicles when visiting many townships in and around Cape Town.
- Avoid driving during load shedding (temporary power outages). The roads can become very congested with no traffic signals. These blackouts protect the electrical grid. Load shedding stops traffic lights from working.
- Internet romance and financial scams are common in South Africa.
- ATM and credit card skimming are common. Skimmers have been found on machines at parking kiosks, shopping malls and office buildings. Do not hand over your credit card to vendors.
- Wild animals have injured and killed tourists.
Emergency Preparedness
- Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations.
- Embassy through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- Mobile devices are vulnerable to compromise, theft, and damage anywhere in the world.
- South Africa is about 2 times larger than Texas. There is 1 time zone, South Africa Standard Time (SAST).
Local Laws and Customs
If you don’t follow local laws, you may be denied entry, could be detained or deported. South African law bans discrimination against people with physical, sensory, intellectual and mental disabilities. South Africa law requires access to buildings for people with disabilities.
Currency
Entry maximum: ZAR 25,000 and unlimited foreign currency if declared. Exit maximum: ZAR 25,000 and unlimited foreign currency if amount was declared on entry. Credit card payment is not always available.
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Transportation
Traffic drives on the left. Road conditions are good in South Africa. Minibus taxis: These are often unlicensed and unsafe. These services are safe. government employees are not allowed to use the metrorail commuter service due to safety concerns and crime.
Here’s a table summarizing key considerations for your trip:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa | Not required for stays under 90 days for British passport holders. |
| Vaccinations | Yellow fever certificate required if entering from a risk country. |
| Currency | South African Rand (ZAR). |
| Transportation | Driving on the left; Gautrain for efficient airport transfer. |
| Safety | Be aware of high crime rates; avoid risky areas. |
Additional Information
- Demonstrations, protests, and strikes occur frequently.
- Rip tides are common and very dangerous. citizens have died while doing these activities.
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found that South Africa’s Civil Aviation Authority meets international standards for aviation safety oversight.
- Western Cape province, and other areas, experience brush fires during the summer. Water supplies in some areas may be affected.
- Touch down in Cape Town to explore sites including Robben Island and the nearby winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, before beginning a journey along the magical Garden Route. Stop off in the charming town of Hermanus, South Africa’s whale-watching capital. Or fly direct to “Jo’burg”, the country’s largest city, where you’ll be on the doorstep of Kruger National Park. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers, and home to 150 mammal species, it’s the ultimate safari destination.
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