South Africa: main airports
South Africa is served by several international airports: OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, the country's main hub, Cape Town International Airport, gateway to Table Mountain and the winelands region, and King Shaka Airport in Durban, on the subtropical coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
Completing the picture are Lanseria Airport, an alternative northwest of Johannesburg, George Airport, gateway to the Garden Route, Bram Fischer Airport in Bloemfontein, the country's judicial capital, and Chief Dawid Stuurman Airport in Gqeberha, on the eastern Garden Route. South Africa offers in a single country the safaris of Kruger National Park, the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, the wild coast of the Garden Route, and cosmopolitan cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg.
South Africa: recommended activities
South Africa: visa and entry requirements
Most visitors do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days, but requirements vary by nationality: check those specific to your country. A passport valid for at least 30 days beyond the intended departure date, with at least 2 blank pages, is required; from 1 July 2026 an online travel declaration must also be completed before arrival.
South Africa: safety
South Africa has a Level 2 alert (exercise increased caution) from most Western governments, due to the risk of crime (armed robbery, muggings, car theft) more than terrorism. Cape Town, the winelands region, the Garden Route and the safari reserves offer solid tourist infrastructure and a generally safe experience for informed visitors.
Avoid visiting townships without an experienced local guide, do not drive outside metropolitan areas after dark (due to the risk of animals on the road, broken-down vehicles and crime), and pay attention to valuables on display in crowded places.
South Africa: health situation
There is a malaria risk in the low-lying areas of the northeast of the country, including Kruger National Park and much of Mpumalanga, Limpopo and northern KwaZulu-Natal: consult a doctor to assess prophylaxis if your itinerary touches these areas. The risk is absent in Cape Town, along the Garden Route and in most major cities.
The yellow fever vaccination certificate is required only for those arriving from a country at risk of transmission.
South Africa: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the South African rand (ZAR). Credit cards are widely accepted in cities and tourist areas; cash remains useful for small purchases and tips.
The Gautrain connects OR Tambo Airport to Sandton, Pretoria and other locations in the Johannesburg area, a convenient and safe alternative to road transport.
South Africa: travel guides
Gqeberha: safaris and whales on Algoa Bay
Johannesburg between apartheid and rebirth
George: the gateway to South Africa's Garden Route
Bloemfontein: the judicial capital among the roses
Durban: beaches and Indian markets
