If you have a thing for mountains, wildlife, and safaris, South Africa is a place you should visit. Besides the natural features, the rainbow city is a hive of pulsating fun.
You have so much to enjoy. From the shark viewing in Cape town to the sun beaching in Durban: you won’t run out of places to visit.
Fun is excellent, but how about safety? Is South Africa safe for tourists? Most importantly, is rainbow city expensive to visit? If you’re coming, what range of money should you have in store?
This piece has all the answers. Read on to find them!
Is South Africa Safe For Tourists?
General Safety
Like with most countries, there are also safety concerns in South Africa. That’s not saying the nation is dangerous to your health or daily movements.
Besides, the tourist centers in the country are safe spots. So, you have nothing to fear. Nevertheless, it is best that you visit South Africa after doing your groundwork.
What groundwork?
For a start, crime rates are high at darker hours. So, you might want to plan fewer walkabouts later in the day. Another thing to consider is the places you visit. For example, it is wise to do away from isolated beaches and ATMs.
About ATMs: keep your withdrawals to a minimum. In all, stick to your travel insurance. If at all, you suffer a little risk, such provisions would make up for it.
Besides commute, how about food and drinks? Are South African cuisines safe?
Food And Drinks
South African cuisines are safe and standard. So much so that the country’s cuisines are one of the most delicious and healthy picks in the world.
About drinks, South Africa is one of the hotspots for wine production in the world. So, get ready for a treat! And for water, you can always get bottled water.
In the case that you still nurse a few worries about the food and water here, take note of these tips:
- Don’t brush your teeth using tap water.
- Avoid rare meats at restaurants.
- Do away from street vendors and their food offerings.
One last thing: if you are visiting national parks like Kruger’s, you should plan for mosquitoes (malaria). It is quite common in those areas.
How Much Money Should You Have To Visit South Africa?
The first thing to consider about your travel expense is your flight money. Now, that depends on several factors. Generally, January flights to South Africa are the cheapest. When you book at least 50 days ahead, the cost drops even further.
Another factor that determines the flight expenses is the solo vs. family ticket. If you’re visiting the rainbow city as a family, the cost would be cheaper per head than if you’d gone on a solo.
That said, you can expect to part with up to $900 (averagely) on a flight. Expensive, huh?
The expenses reduce when you get to the country. You might not even spend up to $100 on food and transportation daily.
In the end, the fun you’d experience in South Africa is worth the money you’d spend. For the flight, you can look out for coupons and bonuses to make it even more affordable.