6. Animals do not roam city streets

Some foreigners assume that lions and elephants walk the streets of South Africa. If you want to see wild animals, you will need to go on Safari. The Kruger National Park is world-famous and usually where tourists want to go, but there are many game reserves scattered around the country.

7. South Africa is a big country

South Africa is twice the size of France and three times the size of Japan. In fact, South Africa enjoys a surface area of 471,445 square miles / 1,221,037 square kilometers. That being said, do not expect to see it all in a week. You won’t even be able to see all of Cape Town in one week.

8. South Africa is a diverse country

The fact that South Africa has 11 official languages is a big clue of how diverse the country is. South Africa is described as the Rainbow Nation, with several different cultures, races, and tribes trying to live together in harmony. 

As a foreigner, try to be respectful of cultural differences. 

9. South Africans drive on the left side of the road

If you are used to driving on the right side of the road, driving in South Africa can be a bit of an adjustment. 

General road rules apply for the most part, but there are a few important driving differences that you will want to be aware of. 

10. You might need a visa

If you are a US citizen, you don’t need a visa. Amongst others, Canadians, Europeans, Australians, and New Zealanders can visit South Africa for 90 days without a visa.

Here is a complete list of countries that do not need a visa to enter South Africa. However, if you do need a visa, here are the visa requirements.  

11. You’ll want to have some cash

If you can get a few rands (South African currency) before you land, great. If not, get to an ATM machine once you get to the airport. You will want some cash so that you can tip porters, etc.

Tipping is not a lot—R1-R5 will be acceptable. (R1 is $0.071 USD at the time of this writing).

12. South Africa is safe for street-savvy travelers

It is true that high crime and murder rates have earned South Africa a reputation as being a dangerous country. While crime continues to be a difficult issue, the majority of incidents occur outside of areas that are typically frequented by tourists. This is not to say that tourists aren’t targets of petty crime. They certainly are, but you can avoid becoming a crime victim with proper preparations and precautions.

For example:

• don’t flaunt your flashy jewelry. If at all possible, do not even bring it;
• don’t play on your smartphone or iPad in public;
• don’t leave your purse on an empty chair in a restaurant;
• hide your purse or anything of value in your car, even if you are driving it. Better yet, remove or hide everything—someone may break in for a $5 pair of sunglasses;
• don’t walk around alone late at night;
• avoid going off the beaten track;
• don’t make it obvious that you’re a tourist, so don’t walk around with a huge, expensive camera around your neck.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry.