Do you have a question about booking your trip via the South Africa Specialist or do you have any questions about other trip-related matters? Below you will find many frequently asked questions and the answers. Can’t you find your question? Please contact us.

For more information abouth South(ern) Africa, take a look at our very complete travel guide. Here you will find information on provinces, towns, national parks and a lot of practical information like information about climate, money, malaria and much more.

Accommodation and Camp Sites

Can we also make a booking only for camp sites?

We only make proposals for camp sites once the 4x4 camper or motorhome has been booked via us. When we make the proposal we also check availability for your specific dates and request rates.

If you would like to receive a tailor made proposal for your camp sites and do not want to book the camper first, then we charge €100 to advise you on the route and make the proposal. This €100 will be refunded to you once you book the camper for this specific trip via us.

A rental car and accommodations or a (4×4) camper and campsites?

In almost all cases the price of a (4x4) camper trip is almost the same as a holiday with a medium rental car and overnight stays in three star accommodation including breakfast. If you want or need a larger car or want to stay in more luxurious accommodations, the car trip will of course become more expensive.

4x4 camper or motorhome & camp sites:
The prices of a motorhome or 4x4 camper depend on the number of days, the season, the exchange rate and the collection / return location. Camper rental is calculated per calendar day.
The costs for campsites in South Africa are around € 10- € 15 per person per night.
In the neighbouring countries (and in the national parks) the costs are often higher.

Rental car & accommodations:
Een categorie C huurauto (middelmaat) komt op ongeveer € 30 per dag (ook weer afhankelijk van het seizoen, het aantal dagen en de geldende koers). Autohuur wordt per 24 uur berekend.
Een drie sterren accommodatie komt op ca. € 25 tot € 35 per persoon per nacht. Dit is uiteraard afhankelijk van de geldende koers.Voor 4 sterren accommodaties kunt u rekenen op ca. €50 - 80 gemiddeld per persoon per nacht inclusief ontbijt. 5 Sterren accommodaties beginnen bij € 75 per persoon per nacht gemiddeld. Safari lodges (inclusief maaltijden en safari’s) boeken we tussen €150 en €600 per per persoon per nacht.

A category C rental car (medium, middle class) will cost you about € 30 per day (again depending on the season, the number of days and the current exchange rate). Car rental is calculated per 24 hours.
A three star accommodation costs € 25 to € 35 per person per night. This of course depends on the exchange rate. For 4 star accommodations you can count on approximately € 50 - 80 on average per person per night including breakfast. 5 star accommodations start at € 75 per person per night on average. We book safari lodges (including meals and safaris) between € 150 and € 600 per person per night.

 

Climate

What is the weather like in South(ern) Africa?

South Africa is in the southern hemisphere and the seasons are the opposite compared to Europe and the US. When it is winter in the Europe, it is summer in South Africa. A great sunny destination when you want to get out of winter!
Extensive information about the climate in South(ern) Africa you can find in our menu practical information: climate.

Clothing

What kind of clothes should I pack for my holiday to South Africa?

South Africa is a very large country and therefore has various weather conditions in the different parts of the country. We recommend that you bring "layers" of clothing. During the day it can be very nice and warm, but in the evenings it can cool down quite a bit. A warm jacket or top is therefore recommended. In the winter months it can be cold and / or rainy in some parts of the country.

If you go on a bush walk in a game reserve during your trip, make sure you wear neutral coloured clothes (beige, green, brown, khaki) and sturdy closed shoes. It is better not to wear red, white, yellow or blue during safaris. There are no dress codes when you drive through a game reserve with your rental car.

In general, casual clothing is worn by everyone. If you are staying in more luxurious accommodations or if you are going to dine in a fine dining restaurant, well-kept neat clothing is appreciated. Only in very exclusive cases, such as e.g. if you travel with the luxury Rovos Rail, evening wear is worn.

A lot depends on the type of holiday you are going to have and in which period of the year you travel. For a motorhome holiday you will need different clothing than for a luxury train journey.

Some suggestions regarding clothing are in all cases: good walking shoes, a windbreaker, sunglasses, hat or cap, warm sweater or cardigan, flip flops, (cotton) clothing, long pants (for in the evenings), shorts, t-shirts and swimwear. Also take a look at our packing list.

Before you travel, also take a look at the weather forecasts in the area where you are going to travel.

Excursions and activities

Should I book my excursions beforehand?

If you booked your trip through us, we will gladly arrange reservations for excursions, restaurants and golf courses for you. Reservations for excursions have to be requested at least 1 month prior to departure. This allows us to include the excursions in your travel vouchers. However, it is best to prepare excursion bookings immediately after you have booked the trip to avoid disappointment at a later stage.

If you have not booked a trip with us, we cannot arrange the above for you free of charge and we will have to charge administration costs. The amount depends on the parts to be booked. It is (usually) no longer possible to reserve excursions etc. within 1 month prior to departure.

Can I ride a bicycle during my holiday in South Africa?

Dutch people love riding their bikes and bikes are integrated in daily life. In South Africa cycling is mostly seen as a sport. mountain biking and road cycling are quite popular. 'Normal' bicycles like you see in The Netherlands and some other European countries are not very common. Designated cycling paths do not exist in South Africa and most importantly, South African drivers are not all used to cyclists in the traffic.

Would you like to go cycling during your holiday? This is of course possible, especially when you are a nature lover. We recommend renting a mountain bike or taking part in a cycling excursion some lodges offer. When cycling on public roads, we advise you to say off the main highways. When renting a bicycle it's best to do so in the smaller towns instead of cities with lots of traffic.

Facilities

Can I freshen up somewhere at the airport before the return flight?

If you have a long car trip on your last vacation day and only fly in the evening, it is nice to take a shower before leaving. At the larger airports (for example OR Tambo in Johannesburg or Cape Town) there are lounges where this is possible.

Passengers from all airlines can go to Bidvest Lounge provided that you can show a valid boarding pass. Bidvest Lounge provided that you can show a valid boarding pass. You have access to the lounge from four hours before your departure time.

If you book online, the costs are R351 per person and if you decide to use the lounge on site, the costs are R390 per person. This includes snacks and drinks, use of showers (towels provided), use of Wi-Fi and possibly the smoking lounge.

We also offer a bridge at a nearby hotel hotel including a three-course meal.

What is a braai?

A braai is what South Africans call a barbecue.

'Braaiing' is not only about food but about the experience. Having a braai is seen as a social thing and a weekend highlight for many. Most South Africans do not buy coals but make coals. They make a wood fire and this burns until the wood turns into coals. When the coals are ready the - usually big - pieces of meat can go on the fire.

When renting a (4x4) camper you will usually receive a braai grid. You can use this grid on the campsites where there are braai spots to use. Supermarkets also sell braai grids for about € 10- € 15.

Should I drink the tap water?

Tap water is safe everywhere in South Africa, unless specified otherwise. The water will have a different taste to what you are used to but this does not mean it is not safe. If you prefer, bottled water is available for purchase everywhere.

Is WiFI available in South Africa?

Internet cafes can be found everywhere in South Africa. You can also use WiFi in some restaurants. You will usually need to request a password for this.

Many accommodations also offer internet. However, this is not always free of charge. Enquire about this at reception.

Please keep in mind that the internet is generally much slower than you are used to in Europe and that WiFi (or even phone signal) is not available everywhere.

General

Does South Africa Specialist give discounts?

You regularly come across all kinds of discounts on trips. Last minute discount, early bookers discount, group discount and so on.
South Africa Specialist offers you the lowest possible price, the discounts have already been calculated into our published trips. If a customized trip is made, we also make use of our special purchase prices. So no extra discounts are needed to reach this lowest price level.
Click here for more information about discounts.

How safe is South Africa?

It is always wise to travel well prepared. If you use common sense and take some precautions, you do not have to worry.

It is a fact that South Africa has a high crime rate. However, this is because a lot of crime occurs in the townships. In the "normal" neighborhoods and tourist areas, the crime rate is not higher than in other countries.

 

Townships
The crime in South Africa is concentrated in the townships and disadvantaged neighbourhoods around the big cities. The townships are mainly home to people who, despite the fact that a great deal has improved since the abolition of apartheid, still constitute the majority of the poor population. Many people from neighbouring African countries have also fled to the townships in South Africa for economic reasons in the hope of a better future. For all these people there is not enough work and unemployment, poverty and crime go hand in hand.

Big Cities
In the big cities you have to be extra careful in certain areas, just like everywhere else in the world. In the smaller towns and at accommodations and tourist hotspots you will find that the South Africans are hospitable and friendly and you will be warmly welcomed. If you want to discover the sights in a city on foot, this is fine during the day. Make sure you know where to go so you don't get lost. More and more tourists are also opting for the use of Uber in the cities.

A few safety tips for your South(ern) Africa trip:

  • Make sure you arrive at your destination before dark. It is often quite overwhelming to be in a new country with busy traffic and many different cultures. Traveling in the dark while you are unfamiliar in the area is not very nice for yourself but people will aksi notice. Unfortunately, this can 'attract' the wrong people.
  • Lock your doors while driving, especially in the bigger cities and busy intersections.
  • Do not pick up hitchhikers.
  • Do not wear excessively expensive jewelry or electronics.
  • Do not leave any valuables in the car, especially not in sight!
  • Never go into the townships on your own and only with a guide. We are happy to assist with booking a reliable excursion.
  • Keep your car's windows closed (especially in the evening).

Our team lives and works in South Africa. The horror stories about rape, armed robbery and murder are in the news and not normal people's daily life. Most crime is, what locals call 'petty theft', house break ins, mugging and other smaller crimes.

In short: don't be put off by stories, but come and experience for yourself how friendly the South Africans are. Use common sense as you would do in all in places you don't know.

Our Travel Consultants are experienced South Africa travelers and are are happy to help and advise you. If something should go wrong during your trip, we are always available on our emergency number and because we work locally, we can act very quickly and help you.

Do I need a visa to travel in South Africa?

A visa is available free of charge to Dutch and Belgians at the border and is valid for stays shorter than 90 days (tourist visa). You will receive a stamp in your passport at customs at the airport, this is about half a page. Please note that you have enough space for this. The passport must have at least two blank pages and must be valid for at least 30 days after returning to your own country. You must also be in possession of a plane ticket with a confirmed return or transit flight.

From June 2015, children under the age of 18 must also be able to show a birth certificate upon entering South Africa. Additional documents are also required if the child does not travel together with the biological parents (or 1 of the biological parents).

The requirements for a visa are different for every country. Always check this carefully. The best thing to contact the South African Embassy in your home country for more information.

For more information on border crossings and visas for the neighbouring countries of South Africa: click here.

Is there any time difference in South Africa?

South Africa does not use daylight saving (summer and winter time). There is no time difference between South Africa and The Netherlands in summer and South Africa is one hour ahead in winter.

Time zone: UCT +2 / SAST.

Should I purchase a SANParks Wild Card?

If you plan to visit several South African National Parks, it may be lucrative to purchase a Wild Card. In our experience a Wild Card can be interesting when you visit 6 parks or more. When you spend more than 3 nights in the Kruger National Park a Wild Card is also usually lucrative. These numbers are based on 2 adults. When you travel with several people and especially with a family, it may already be interesting with less parks.

For international visitors only 1 card applies, the International All Parks Cluster. You can purchase this card online and will receive a confirmation at the end of your booking. If the card is not delivered to your home on time, then this confirmation is sufficient

It's important to have your Wild Card as well as your passport on hand when entering the national parks.

Medical

What are the medical facilities like in South Africa?

In general, South African medical facilities are of high quality, especially in urban areas where you will find several large government hospitals and private clinics.

Tourists are advised to take out comprehensive health insurance so that they can use private hospitals, of which there are around 80 in the country. These medical centers apply high standards and offer specialist treatments, but are often much more expensive.

South African pharmacists are not allowed to provide medication without a prescription. Tourists who use medication on an ongoing basis and need new medication during their stay in South Africa should provide a prescription.

Mode of transport

Renting a car or making use of transfers

If you are planning not to cover too much distance or to make use of excursions then it can be attractive to make use of transfers instead of a rental car. You will then be collected by a chauffeur and taken to the next destination.
Please ask us for this option if you are not sure about the difference in costs or if you prefer not to drive yourself.
If you stay at one location for multiple nights and do not need a car at this location, then it might even be cheaper to use transfers than to have a car. Of course you will always have more freedom to plan your own route when you have a rental car.

Do I need an international drivers licence?

For South Africa you officially need an international drivers licence. In reality, the licence from EU countries driving license is often accepted as well (provided that at least ‘Driving license’ is mentioned in English), but the police may ask you for an international driving licence. Our Dutch drivers licence was always sufficient during police road blocks. If you want to be 100% it is advisable to puchase an international drivers licence before you travel.

An international drivers licence is mandatory for camper rental.

Recently a client informed us that he travelled without an international drivers licence. He received a R2500 fine when he couldn’t show the police his international licence. This is the first time we heard about this in more than 10 years.

What type of car do I need?

South Africa is a four-wheel drive (4x4) country. The South Africans like to drive in it themselves, but a 4x4 will also add be great fun for yourself. With a 4x4 rental car you have no problems driving throughe through the beautiful game reserves, you can make trips on dirt roads, you drive along beautiful mountain passes and are carefree driving through the busy city traffic. A 4x4 can therefore offer a lot of driving pleasure and extra comfort.
A 4x4 car is also ideal if you also want to visit other countries in southern Africa.

There are also cars that look like a 4x4. These cars have a higher ground clearance, but are two wheel drive. These cars are not suitable for muddy, slippery and steep roads. These cars are cheaper than the 4x4 and you will find them under our normal car rental, category larges. This is a good option if you want a little more comfort than a regular Sedan but don't plan on driving on the really bad roads.

A 4x4 is not required for most routes and roads in South Africa. A normal car is the cheapest option and suitable for many roads. On the bad roads, however, make sure to drive slow and careful. There is always a small chance that you will get stuck.

Please send us your route and travel plan and we are happy to advise you on the type of car that best suits your journey.

We drive on the left side of the road in South Africa. This is not a problem for most people,. It's our experience that you get used to it very quickly. However, if you find this a bit scary or are not too sure about driving on the left, then we can recommend that you consider an automatic car. This will help you focus on the road by eliminating extra distractions like changing gears (with your other hand).

Note: the pedals and the gears work identically to left hand drive cars. The clutch is on the left, the brake in the middle and the accelerator on the right. 1st gear is in the front left, 2nd in the back on the left, etc. The latter means a different movement: you shift with your left hand and instead of pulling the gear lever towards you and forward, push it away from you and forward to put the car in first gear.

What is an all inclusive plus insurance?

Uw auto is via de meeste leveranciers verzekerd op een all inclusive plus verzekering (inclusief glas-en bandenschade, onbeperkte kilometers, lage borg en geen eigen risico).

Wij zitten met ons kantoor in Zuid-Afrika en hebben direct contact met de leveranciers. Een tussenpersoon (broker) werkt niet direct met de leverancier. Wij hebben dagelijks goed contact met de lokale leveranciers hier ter plaatse in Zuid-Afrika. Hierdoor hebben wij ook zeer gunstige tarieven bedongen.

Wanneer u besluit een auto te boeken via een tussenpersoon heeft u geen verzekering direct via de leverancier, maar via de broker zelf en heeft u een zeer hoge borg, welke geblokkeerd wordt op uw creditcard (in sommige gevallen tot wel € 5000). In geval van schade zult u dit dus altijd lokaal - soms grote bedragen - moeten voldoen en bij thuiskomst terug moeten vorderen. Daarnaast is deze verzekering ook niet in alle gevallen volledig dekkend.

Wanneer u direct via ons boekt is dit niet geval.  Wanneer u schade oploopt tijdens uw vakantie wordt dit verholpen en betaald door de leverancier en hoeft u zich hier tijdens en na uw vakantie niet druk meer over te maken.

Most cars on our website have an all-inclusive plus insurance included (including glass and tyre damage, unlimited mileage, low deposit and no excess).

Our office is in South Africa and we have direct contact with suppliers. An intermediary (broker) does not work directly with the supplier. We have good daily contact with the local suppliers here in South Africa. As a result, we have also negotiated very favourable rates.

When you decide to book a car through an intermediary, your insurance goes through the broker and not directly with the South African supplier. You will have a very high deposit which will be blocked on your credit card (in some cases up to € 5000). In the event of damage, you will therefore always have to pay this locally - sometimes large amounts - and reclaim from the broker's insurance it when you return home. In addition, this insurance is not in all cases fully comprehensive.

If you book through us this is not the case. If you incur damage during your vacation, this will be remedied and paid for by the supplier and you will no longer have to worry about it during and after your vacation.

A rental car and accommodations or a (4×4) camper and campsites?

In almost all cases the price of a (4x4) camper trip is almost the same as a holiday with a medium rental car and overnight stays in three star accommodation including breakfast. If you want or need a larger car or want to stay in more luxurious accommodations, the car trip will of course become more expensive.

4x4 camper or motorhome & camp sites:
The prices of a motorhome or 4x4 camper depend on the number of days, the season, the exchange rate and the collection / return location. Camper rental is calculated per calendar day.
The costs for campsites in South Africa are around € 10- € 15 per person per night.
In the neighbouring countries (and in the national parks) the costs are often higher.

Rental car & accommodations:
Een categorie C huurauto (middelmaat) komt op ongeveer € 30 per dag (ook weer afhankelijk van het seizoen, het aantal dagen en de geldende koers). Autohuur wordt per 24 uur berekend.
Een drie sterren accommodatie komt op ca. € 25 tot € 35 per persoon per nacht. Dit is uiteraard afhankelijk van de geldende koers.Voor 4 sterren accommodaties kunt u rekenen op ca. €50 - 80 gemiddeld per persoon per nacht inclusief ontbijt. 5 Sterren accommodaties beginnen bij € 75 per persoon per nacht gemiddeld. Safari lodges (inclusief maaltijden en safari’s) boeken we tussen €150 en €600 per per persoon per nacht.

A category C rental car (medium, middle class) will cost you about € 30 per day (again depending on the season, the number of days and the current exchange rate). Car rental is calculated per 24 hours.
A three star accommodation costs € 25 to € 35 per person per night. This of course depends on the exchange rate. For 4 star accommodations you can count on approximately € 50 - 80 on average per person per night including breakfast. 5 star accommodations start at € 75 per person per night on average. We book safari lodges (including meals and safaris) between € 150 and € 600 per person per night.

 

Is a GPS included?

You need to rent a GPS separately. You can rent a GPS and / or satellite telephone through us in combination with your car or motorhome rental.

In some cases, a GPS is already built into the vehicle. If this is the case then this is indicated on our website under the specifications of the car.

Via the car rental company a GPS costs around R 100 per day. Via camper suppliers a GPS costs around R 50 per day.

If you already have a GPS, you can also download (at a cost) maps of South Africa via the website of your GPS supplier. This is often a cheaper option than renting a GPS, especially for longer journeys.

Must a second driver be present when collecting a rental car?

In most cases it is sufficient if only the first driver (the name of the person on which the car is booked and also credit car holder for the deposit) is present when collecting the vehicle. This person must be in possession of a copy of the (international) driver's license of the second (or possibly several) driver(s).

If you are unable to be present as an additional driver when picking up the vehicle, we advise you to contact us first. We can then check the options for you.

Money

What can I expect to pay locally – for drinks, food and petrol?

Because the South African currency, the Rand, has a favourable exchange rate against the Euro, Pound and Dollar, your money goes a long way in South Africa.

Below we made an overview of what you can expect to pay at establishments in South Africa (the costs below are based on prices in June 2019):

Food and drink:
An average lunch (global indication) is approximately € 7 to € 12
Dinner is around € 12 to € 17 per person.
A bottle of wine in your average restaurant: between € 8 and € 15
A glass of beer in a bar (0.5 liters) costs around € 2 - 3
A cappuccino at a coffee shop costs between € 1.50 and € 3
Other drinks such as soft drinks (cool drinks in SA) are on average between € 0.75 and € 2

Remaining:
A liter of gasoline or diesel: around € 1
The prices in the supermarket are also lower although they do not differ much from the prices in Europe.

How much should I tip?

In South Africa, salaries are generally low, making it customary to tip service staff. Tipping is of course not mandatory, but if you are satisfied with the service in a restaurant then 10% of the amount is usual / minimal, unless the service was very poor. If you are very satisfied, you can of course always give more.

There are often parking attendants and guards on duty in parking lots where there is free parking. They often ask you to look after your car. You are not not obliged to give anything since it's free parking. Often the parking attendants are very helpful with loading your groceries etc. Giving around R5 is normal in these cases.

In South Africa you still have the luxury of a pump operator at fuel stations. They will refuel for you, check oil level, water and tire pressure and clean the windows. For this special service you give (again not necessary) approximately R5-R10.

If you have had a wonderful game drive and with an excellent ranger, it is also common to tip for this. The amount given can vary depending on how many people were on the excursion and how the ranger performed, both in spotting wildlife and explaining / entertaining. Between the R100 and R150 per game drive (for both the tracker and ranger) is considered normal / generous, depending on circumstances and the luxurylevel of your accommodation / excursion.

Other service providers that you might give a tip are: taxi drivers, guides, hotel porters, domestic staff and tour guides.

Especially at tourist hotspots or for example airports it is possible that people try to get an extra high tip by using the ignorance of the traveler or for example by saying that they have no change if you have a note from R50, R100 or R200 . You do not have to agree to this. We do however advise you to get some smaller notes and coins Rands in advance, to have some cash (for tips) on hand on arrival.

Can I use my debit card and credit card in South Africa?

It is possible to pay with a debit or credit card at most fuel stations, restaurants and supermarkets.

To withdraw cash you can go to an ATM. You can use your own card for this but please be aware of the bank charges both your own bank and the South African bank might charge you.

Visa and MasterCard are accepted are widely accepted.

As is the case is most countries, you have to be aware of skimming. We advise you to never withdraw cash at an ATM alone and to only do this during the day. It's also wise to only go to ATM's inside banks as these always have security guards present.