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

Luxury Tents @ Urban Glamping

From €48 /person

A luxury tented stay in the lush St Lucia

Urban Glamping’s luxury tents can be found just off the main road of St Lucia which offers lots of restaurants and shops nearby while allowing guests a tranquil breakaway between a canopy of trees. The many conveniences include 2 swimming pools, a large barbecue area, and wifi available throughout the tented camp. Guests share a large kitchen, which is fully equipped with gas stoves, hotplates and crockery. While this is a self-catering facility, Urban Glamping also offers breakfast with prior requests. St Lucia is a gateway to the World Heritage site, Isimangaliso Wetland Park, and also boasts beautiful beaches, lookout points on Lake St Lucia to see Nile crocodiles, and surrounding hiking trails featuring small antelope and various birds.

Urban Glamping’s luxury tents can be found just off the main road of St Lucia ...

Find it on the map

Our top picks

Trips we think you'll love whilst staying at Luxury Tents @ Urban Glamping

View all trips

Luxury Tent

2•

The Luxury Tent offers a king-sized bed or 2 three-quarter beds as well as a sleeper couch. The tent has an en-suite bathroom with a shower, a small kitchenette, and a private walkway with a balcony, and comes with a mini-fridge, a standing fan, and mosquito mesh on the windows.

Family Luxury Tent

3•

The Family Luxury Tent offers 2 three-quarter beds, a bunk bed, and a sleeper couch. The tent has an en-suite bathroom with a shower, a small kitchenette, and a private walkway with a balcony. Also included is a mini-fridge, a standing fan, and mosquito mesh on the windows.

Luxury Two sleeper tent

1•

The Luxury Two sleeper tent offers a king-sized bed and an en-suite bathroom with a shower. The tent has a small kitchenette and a private walkway with a balcony, and comes with a mini-fridge, a standing fan, and mosquito mesh on the windows.

Luxury Tent

2•

Family Luxury Tent

3•

Luxury Two sleeper tent

1•

Featured Trips

Discover the extraordinary

Have Questions?

Our FAQs about Elephant Coast

Recent postcards

What our travellers are saying

All Reviews

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