When to go
You can visit South Africa at any time of the year, but it's best to go between October and April.Entry requirements
US, UK, and Canadian citizens require a passport that is valid for at least 30 days after date of departure from South Africa. A three month tourist visa is automatically issued on arrival. Warning the formalities for family travel in South Africa have changed recently and are relatively restrictive, make sure you check them out in plenty of time before leaving!Health advise
The hospitals in the major cities are excellent, but very expensive. Make sure you take out medical insurance cover before you leave. No particular injections are required, but malaria is present in the north-east of the country. Nearly 18% of the adult population of South Africa is infected with HIV, so be sure to take precautions.Airline tickets
It depends on the airline. the purchase date and the route, but the average cost of a flight from the UK to South Africa is around £450.Time difference
South Africa is 1 hour ahead of the UK. When it's midday in London it's 1 pm in Johannesburg and Cape Town.Language
English is spoken throughout the country. In addition to English, each region has speakers of one of the 11 other official languages, including Afrikaans, Ndebele, Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, and Zulu.Relevant contacts
South African High Commission in London.
South Africa House, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DP
southafrica.info/travel
British High Commission in Pretoria
255 Hill Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, Pretoria 0028
Tel: +27 12 421 7500
gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-high-commission-pretoria
Phone and internet connection
Telephone prefix: +27
You can get internet access in city hotels and guest houses and in some bars and restaurants.
