South Africa

About Destination

South Africa is a country on the southernmost point of the African continent, distinguished by several different ecosystems. Midland safari destinations Kruger National park, populated by big game.

The Western Cape offers beaches, lush wine lands around Stellenbosch and Paarl, and the City of Cape Town, craggy cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope, forest and lagoons along the Garden Route, beneath flat-topped Table Mountain.

It is essential to guarantee you have the accurate paperwork in place before flying to Africa. Frequently, all passports need to have some blank pages available while visa specifications differ depending on nationality and target. Note that visa regulations can change without a lot of warning.

We suggest reaching the relevant authorities in good time or chat to your African Safari Expert before you go they will have all the answers.

General information about South African Visas
Visitors’ visas are for international Travelers that are citizens of other countries who hold permanent residence outside South Africa, wishing to visit the country on a short reason for tourism or business purposes of 90 days or less.

A visa indicates that your application is accepted at a South African port of entry where an immigration officer will then choose if you are admitted to enter South Africa and for how long can you stay for that particular visit. Visitor’s restrictions activity or reason for which their visas were given.

Entering into South Africa, a visa is judged to be a visitor’s permit. The permits’ period of validity is calculated from the date of entry into the country and will be set out under the heading “restrictions” on the visa design. You must guarantee that you apply for the correct visa or permit. Entry in the nation may be refused if the objective of the visit was not correctly stated.

Requirements for visitor’s visa differ from country to country (click here to see which countries are currently exempt), and the conditions are subjected to change. As each request is treated as an individual case and you should make inquiries with your nearest South Africa mission or consulate abroad or any office of the Department of Home Affairs to see whether or not you are needed to appeal for a visa.

Remember that there is a price charged for publishing a visa, and you should review the fee with the office as well as this is updated periodically. The amount is payable in different currencies in different countries.

Visas are not given at South African ports and entry, and airline officials are obliged to insist on permits before allowing passengers to board. If you arrive without an authorization, immigration officials are required to put you on a flight back to your home country.

Foreigners with long-term status of work permits/permit residence in the nearby countries who transit the Republic to return to their work or home are not subject to the transit visa, provided they are in ownership of proof of their status.

SouthAfrica visitors’ visas may be granted for

  • Visits to friends or family and also for tourism purposes
  • Business plans
  • Mate to follow a spouse who is in South Africa on a work or study permit
  • Kids to connect parents who are in South Africa on work or study licenses
  • Fiancée to enter his or her partner with the intentions of marrying within 90 days
  • Study purposes (max stay 3-months)
  • Charitable or voluntary activities
  • Research
  • Conferences
  • To work in the creation of a movie or shoe (i.e., the entertainment industry)
  • For medical purposes (max stay 3-months)
  • Sport events

Documents needed to apply for a visa

  • A passport or travel certificate valid for no less than 30 days after the expiry of your planned visit
  • Your passport should hold at least TWO additional pages for entry/departure endorsements
  • A finished Form B1-84 application for a visa
  • Payment of the prescribed fee
  • A yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required.
  • Documentation validating the purpose and duration of your visit
  • Pair color passport photographs
  • A return or next flight ticket if you are traveling by air
  • If you have children (minors) going with you or joining in South Africa, you will need to provide the following additional documents.
  • Verification of guardianship or custody or
  • Approval from the guardian in the case of an abandoned minor

Evidence of financial means to pay for your living expenses while in South Africa in the form of:

  • Bank reports
  • Salary Increases
  • Undertakings by the hosts in South Africa
  • Bursary
  • Medical cover or insurance
  • Money available which includes credit cards and travelers’ cheques)

Visa information might change without prior notice. We recommend you contact us for some info.

Weather

Vaccinations

A question frequently asked by first-time guests to Africa is: “is it safe?” our advice African destinations are some of the most secure in the world, and many are ideal for families traveling with children.

We have various child-friendly safari lodges to offer you, malaria-free Big 5 reserves, and beach resorts with professional kid’s clubs. Medical amenities in Africa’s cities and major tourist stops are great, and staff at safari lodges will notify you about camp safety when you arrive

Safety problems are no severer in Africa than the rest of the world: it’s merely a case of using your general sense and not revealing yourself to risk.  Safari Specialists will provide you all the information you need, and it always rewards to ask for local advice when you’re in Africa.

You will require to take care is any medication that is required for your trip, if it’s a yellow fever injection or malaria prophylactics. Consult your doctor during your planning or check with your African Safari Expert

Otherwise, no other immunizations are needed. Besides, it would be advisable to have updated on immunizations like tetanus, polio, diphtheria, Hepatitis vaccines.

Language

Things to remember

Money and Spending

ATMs and bureau de changes found everywhere in Africa’s major towns, you can obtain cash pretty much anyplace. Most African countries receive US dollars as their money of choice (as well as Euros and Sterling, but you’ll require Rand (ZAR) for South Africa.

Visa and MasterCard are widely received across the mainland but be conscious of acquiring high purchase fees in certain countries. For peace, we’d advise purchasing a world currency card or cash passport card before you leave.

Even though tipping is not compulsory on your African safari, they are always appreciated. Ask you African Safari Expert for details on tipping, check out our country-specific travel advice pages or ask your lodge manager or host on arrival.

The power is served at over 300MW Coal Plant. This voltage will soon be increased at a level never used before in this Country that long suffered from lack of electricity. The power will support the whole country. Electricity is supplied at 220/240v. Both square and round wall plugs are used.

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