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.
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.
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.
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.
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.