South Africa is a diverse country at the tip of Africa. With a long coastline that stretches more than 2,500 kilometres across two oceans, and a climate that ranges from desert to subtropical, South Africa is truly a unique place to visit. Tourists commonly have no idea what to expect when landing in South Africa, so we want to make sure you don’t make any common rookie mistakes whilst there. Here are 4 things to know before visiting South Africa.
Renting a car is the best way to see it all
You may be thinking that this is an expensive option, but it’s really not. South Africa is filled with amazing drives, great scenery, and nature; so it would crazy to not hire a car to roadtrip. Public transport in South Africa can’t be compared to that of really developed countries. Taxis aren’t readily available, and we don’t make use of a metro system
Distances
Some people forget just how big South Africa is! South Africa is approximately twice the size of France, so tourists shouldn’t expect to see it all in a week. Make sure to plan your routes carefully beforehand, as exploring South Africa can take months if you want to cover it all. Most tourists opt for the bigger cities, like Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, but there’s much more to see than just the main attractions
Weather
South Africa boasts amazing climatic conditions, thanks to the presence of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The country’s location in the Southern Hemisphere gives it less oppressive heat than countries in sub-saharan areas. When most people think of South Africa, they think of hot and dry climate every day of the year, but during winter temperatures can drop really low in the cities, and below freezing in mountainous regions. So make sure you check the weather forecast before you go, otherwise you may be packing the wrong clothing.
Language
Most South Africans speak English, even if as a second language, so tourists don’t have much trouble communicating. If you do decide to learn a few basic terms in local languages, ensure you also research which languages are spoken in which parts of the country, as not everyone speaks all eleven.
If you are fluent in a foreign language and are looking to live and work in South Africa, please click through to our job section.
