South Africa

LANGUAGE The official languages are Pedi, Sotho, Tswana, Swati, Venḓa, Tsonga, Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Xhosa and Zulu.

CURRENCY The currency is the South African Rand. The Rand is widely accepted in other countries in Africa. Click on the icon for the conversion of the day.

GEOGRAPHY South Africa is located on the southern tip of the African continent. It borders Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and the kingdoms of Eswatini and Lesotho. The country is marked by several distinct ecosystems.

ECONOMY & BUDGET The 3rd largest economy in Africa has been challenged in terms of growth and progress, and poverty is widespread. Backpackers’ budget is around $30-450 per day, while mid-range travelers spend between $60 and $90 per day on average.

SAFETY A visit to South Africa requires constant vigilance. Crime rates are high, however, tourists are not normally subject to violent crime. Some areas are safer than others, but stay alert to avoid petty crime, theft, and scams. Travel insurance is highly recommended.