Do I need a visa to enter South Africa?

Visa requirements depend on your nationality. Citizens from certain countries may be exempt from obtaining a visa for short stays. To determine if you need a visa, it's best to check with the South African embassy or consulate in your home country. Find out more here . Additionally, South Africa offers a visa waiver program for certain countries, allowing visitors to enter for tourism purposes without a visa for a specified period. Make sure you have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your entry into South Africa and at least 1 blank page in your passport for endorsements.

Is South Africa safe for tourists?

South Africa is safe to visit, but like most developing countries, it's important to be street-smart: Keep a watchful eye on your belongings, whether you're solo or with a group. Avoid displaying valuables like phones and cameras, especially when out and about. Do not walk alone in deserted areas at night. Don’t keep large sums of money on you. When self-driving, be aware of the distance between the towns or petrol stations and know how to handle breakdowns or a flat tire. Admire wildlife from a safe distance –never exit your vehicle in national parks or reserves except at designated areas.

Can I self-drive in South Africa?

When driving in South Africa, travellers can use their valid foreign driver's licence if it meets specific criteria: it should be in English (or any other official South African language) or have an official English translation, and include a photo and signature. Road conditions vary by region. In the Western Cape, roads are generally well-maintained. In areas like the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal, occasional potholes may be encountered. To navigate, we recommend using Google Maps for the best routes, which will likely correspond to well-kept roads.

What currency is used in South Africa?

South Africa uses the currency Rand (ZAR) exclusively. You can exchange your currency for Rand at selected airports, banks, currency exchange offices, or ATMs. Card facilities are widely available, reducing the need for excessive cash on hand. Before your trip, check if your credit or debit card will work in South Africa for convenient card payments. However, it's advisable to carry some cash for small tips and when visiting remote destinations.

South Africa

Kosi Forest Lodge

From €220 /person

4.4 Sustainability Rating

A wilderness lodge hidden in Kosi Bay Nature Reserve’s coastal dune forest

Set within the renowned iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Kosi Forest Lodge offers a unique getaway in thatched units, hidden in the sand forest alongside the Kosi Lakes System. Guests can watch hippos and flamingos splashing around in the lake from a swimming pool or a viewing deck shaded by Umdoni trees, or go on guided boat trips to explore the lake systems. A turtle-tracking expedition offers an opportunity to see leatherback and loggerhead turtles, while the bird hide and forest walks open up a birding paradise. The lodge’s sustainability efforts range from investing in large solar energy farms to removing single-use plastics, and guests can delight in conscious culinary experiences with ingredients sourced from ethical suppliers.

Set within the renowned iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Kosi Forest Lodge offers a unique getaway in ...

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Trips we think you'll love whilst staying at Kosi Forest Lodge

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Double Room

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The Double Room units are made of wood, thatch and canvas, allowing total privacy. The room has a double bed, en-suite bathroom and a private deck. An open-air bathroom in a reed-enclosed boma features showers and baths sunk into sand floors.

Family Room

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The Family Room is made up of 2 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, connected by an outdoor passage. This unit also features a private deck along and an open-air bathroom in a reed-enclosed boma with showers and baths sunk into sand floors.

Twin Room

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The Twin Room units are made of wood, thatch and canvas, allowing total privacy. The room has a private deck, en-suite bathroom and twin beds. This unit also features an open-air bathroom in a reed-enclosed boma with showers and baths sunk into sand floors.

Double Room

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Family Room

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Twin Room

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Because of the easy way we communicated with our Viatu expert, it felt like planning our holidays with a friend. It made it really flexible and perfectly suitable for our needs. The accommodations that he suggested were just wonderful and a perfect mix of everything we needed.

Nicole