Going to en Afrique du Sud: Formalities and administrative steps
Organize your stay en Afrique du Sud
Money en Afrique du Sud
The currency is the South African rand, symbol ZAR, written R, subdivided into cents. There are bills of 10, 20, 50 and 100 rand, and coins of 0.50, 1, 2 and 5 rand.
The exchange rate is 1 € = 20.61 R and 1 R = 0.049 € (August 2025).
Banks are open between 9 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. on weekdays and sometimes between 8.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturdays. Currency exchange bureaus are common in airports and city centers, but you're best advised to use your bank card. For card withdrawals and payments, the exchange rate is generally more attractive.
In the event of loss or theft of your card abroad, your bank will offer you appropriate solutions to ensure that you can continue your stay in complete peace of mind. Before you leave, make a note of the assistance number printed on the back of your bank card or available on the Internet.
Advice before you leave: remember to tell your bank advisor about your trip. He or she will be able to check your payment and withdrawal limits.
Budget & Tips en Afrique du Sud
Budget ideas (including meals, accommodation and visits per person):
Low budget: €60 to €70/day.
Medium budget: €70 to €90/day.
Large budget: €90 to €150/day.
Passport and visas en Afrique du Sud
No visa is required for stays of less than three months. Passports must contain two blank pages and be valid for at least 30 days beyond the date of departure from South Africa, otherwise they will be refused on arrival.
Driver's license en Afrique du Sud
Health en Afrique du Sud
For advice before you travel, don't hesitate to consult your doctor. You can also contact the travel medicine society at the Institut Pasteur medical center: ✆ 01 45 68 80 00 (www.pasteur.fr/fr/sante/centre-medical), or visit the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website under "Conseils aux voyageurs" (www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs).
In the event of illness or serious problems during your trip, consult a pharmacist and then a doctor as soon as possible.
Mandatory vaccination en Afrique du Sud
No vaccinations are required to stay in South Africa. However, for the more preventive, you can get information on the website of the Pasteur Institute.
Security en Afrique du Sud
South Africa is known as one of the most violent countries in the world. Even if the official statistics tend to decrease, one should remain cautious, especially in the cities where, as in all big cities after all, muggings, robberies and carjackings occur. Avoid going alone to the townships after dark, or walking to the waterfront in Cape Town. Avoid displaying wealth and carrying valuables with you. When driving, be vigilant in locking doors and closing windows at traffic lights or other stops.
Time difference en Afrique du Sud
South Africa is at UTC + 2, i.e. at the same time as us (France, Belgium, Switzerland) during the European summer and one hour ahead during our winter.
Spoken languages en Afrique du Sud
afrikaans (13.3%), Northern Sotho (9.4%), Tswana (8.2%), Southern Sotho (7.9%), Tsonga (4.4%), Swati (2.7%), Venda (2.3%) and Ndebele (1.6%). English is spoken everywhere and remains the main language of communication. Assimil offers two pocket conversation books to learn Afrikaans or Zulu.
Electricity and measurements en Afrique du Sud
The voltage is the same as in Europe but the plugs are different, with three pins. Buy an adapter on the spot, because it is only valid for South Africa and Botswana. Weights are in kilograms and distances in kilometers, not like in the UK.
Luggage en Afrique du Sud
Take a flashlight, a Swiss Army knife, mosquito repellent spray or cream, an invisible pocket or belt under your clothes to hide your money, passport and credit card in high-risk areas, walking shoes or good sneakers for the bush, light clothing for tropical areas, and warm clothes if you are going to the mountains.
Daily life en Afrique du Sud
Hello? en Afrique du Sud
As soon as you arrive at the airport or in the city, we advise you to get a Sim card with some credit and mobile data. This way you can easily call hotels and guides if you need to, but also use your GPS or Uber app to find a cab. If Wifi is very common in cafes and hotels, it can be very useful on the road or in small lost villages. To call from South Africa to France, dial +33 followed by the number of your correspondent without the 0. To call from France to South Africa, dial +27 followed by the city code without the 0 and the number of your correspondent.
Accessibility en Afrique du Sud
If you have a physical or mental disability, or are going on holiday with someone who does, it is essential to plan your trip well in advance with a reputable agency. While PRM access is developed in some places in South Africa, particularly in the cities, the bush is not. On the other hand, there is a great deal of effort to ensure accessibility. Most of the major hotels and many camps in the Kruger Park have installed ramps for people with disabilities. The infrastructure is well adapted in South Africa. Some guesthouses are also equipped to accommodate people with disabilities. A full list of hotels can be found at www.sa-venues.com/wheelchairfriendly-westerncape.php.
Health en Afrique du Sud
In terms of health, some recommendations. The heat is particularly exhausting, especially in the Kruger region, between November and January. On the other hand, be careful with the water. Also, protect yourself against mosquitoes, especially in the Kruger National Park, even though South Africa is not a malaria-prone territory. Beware of wild animals, even dogs and monkeys, especially if you are not vaccinated against rabies. No vaccinations are required to come to South Africa from a European country, but yellow fever and typhoid vaccinations are mandatory for travelers coming from West or Central Africa.
Vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis (called DTP), whose booster is every ten years, and vaccines against hepatitis A and B are strongly recommended, as well as against meningococcal meningitis. The more adventurous who are going to get lost deep in the tropical bush will need to be vaccinated against typhoid fever and possibly rabies. Plan your vaccinations at least two weeks before departure. During the rainy season in tropical regions, ticks can transmit Lyme disease, so put a repellent on your legs if they are reported in the area before you go walking.
Emergency numbers en Afrique du Sud
In case of illness, contact the French Consulate. They will help you, accompany you and provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors. In the event of a serious problem, the consulate will also notify the family and decide on repatriation. To find out about emergencies and establishments that meet international standards, consult the websites www.diplomatie.gouv.fr and www.pasteur.fr.
Emergency numbers: 112, police: 10111.
If you have a Visa® or MasterCard® bank card, you are automatically covered by medical insurance and medical repatriation assistance for any trip abroad lasting less than 90 days. Ask your bank about the conditions of coverage and the exclusion clauses. If you are not covered by one of these cards, don't forget to take out medical assistance before you leave.
Securty en Afrique du Sud
South Africa is often criticized for its lack of safety: you will be fine if you follow a few rules of conduct and listen to the locals. When it's dark, take a cab home, when driving, keep doors and windows closed at red lights, and don't leave bags, phones or valuables in sight. In Johannesburg, avoid visiting CBDs at night or on weekends. Ask people who live there, follow their advice and you will feel safe.
To stay informed before you leave, check the "Travel Advice" section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/voyageurs. Be aware, however, that the site provides an exhaustive list of potential dangers and that it sometimes gives a somewhat alarmist picture of the real situation in the country.
LGBTQ en Afrique du Sud
South Africa, especially its major cities, as is often the case, is very open, tolerant and friendly to sexual orientation. In 1990, the first gay demonstration on the continent was held in South Africa. The Constitution now guarantees freedom of morals for all citizens, but sarcasm is still commonplace among white ultraconservatives (puritanism) and certain black personalities (machismo). But real tolerance exists. "Mandela not only liberated blacks, he also liberated gays," says André Vorster, organizer of the gay carnival for Madiba's eightieth birthday. Gay marriage is legal in South Africa. Cape Town is the second gay city in the world after San Francisco, with a large number of people visiting during the southern summer. Some parts of the country are developing a tourism targeted on the community, like Prince Albert, in the Karoo: the Mecca of guys! This gay population has a strong influence on the crazy, disguised and very festive Captonian spirit.
Embassies and consulates en Afrique du Sud
With a French passport, it is not necessary to obtain a visa for less than 90 days of travel.
Once in France, the Ariane portal, available on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, allows the traveler to identify himself or herself to the Ministry free of charge. Once the data has been entered, the traveler will be able to receive recommendations related to safety in the country and health alerts. In addition, the person designated by the traveler as the "contact" in France will be warned in case of problems or dangers. Many tips and warnings are also provided through this service.
Mail en Afrique du Sud
You can find very nice postcards here, on sale in most souvenir stores or other small street kiosks. It takes about 12 days for the mail to reach Europe, if it is posted from the big cities. You can also opt for a postcard application on your smartphone such as Fizzer or Youpix, to send your most beautiful photos.
Local media en Afrique du Sud
In South Africa, radio is the primary medium. The majority of the audience is held by the so-called African Language Stations. RSG and Metro FM are the most listened to national radio stations. Television is the second most popular medium in South Africa. Nearly 8 million households own a TV set and SABC TV, the public channels, seem to be the most watched. As for the press, the traditional titles seem to be losing readers, especially the English-language press, while the Zulu press has experienced a boom with titles such as UmAfrika, as have tabloids such as the Daily Sun , which enjoyed a good 2000s. As for the digital divide, although it still exists, it is tending to diminish.
