South Africa travel guide

The currency in South Africa is the South African rand (ZAR). Prices on TripRadr for tours and activities are shown in Canadian dollars (CAD). Check the current exchange rate before you travel.

South Africa Standard Time all year, two hours ahead of UTC, with no daylight saving. Toronto is on Eastern Time, so check the difference for your travel dates. Toronto changes its clocks in spring and autumn, so the gap can shift during the year.

There are 2 seasons to plan around in South Africa. Best for wildlife: May to October. Coast and Cape: November to March. Check the weather and any local events for your dates.

Major airports include Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT) and Durban (DUR). Routes and flight times depend on the season and the airline. Check with the airline or travel site you book with.

The Government of Canada publishes travel advice and advisories for South Africa. Check it before you book and again before you leave. The advice can change, so TripRadr links to it instead of repeating it.

TripRadr does not take bookings. The things-to-do section shows tours and activities from Viator when they are available for South Africa. You book on Viator, and TripRadr may earn a commission.

The main languages are English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa. Signs, menus and tours may also be available in English in places that welcome visitors. Learning a few local phrases is a polite way to start a conversation.

Popular things to do in South Africa include go on safari in Kruger National Park, visit Cape Town, drive the Garden Route and see Johannesburg and Soweto. The things-to-do section on this page shows tours and activities from Viator. Open one to see its details and price, then book on Viator.