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Is it safe to travel to South Africa? Latest travel advice

There’s no doubt crime is a serious issue in south africa, and rates have been increasing. here’s what you need to know.

Passengers wait at a MyCiTi bus stop in Cape Town city centre

S outh Africa’s troubling crime rates is one of the things that’s been putting off tourists in recent years. Most recently, in January 2024, a British Airways pilot was targeted by armed robbers in Johannesburg and forced to withdraw thousands of pounds from cash machines around the city. The UK Foreign Office travel advice for the country also makes for particularly nerve-racking reading, stating that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in South Africa and mentioning carjackings, armed robberies and other violent crimes.

Fortunately, visitors are generally sheltered from the worst of it and the vast majority don’t have any bad experiences. Many parts of the country rely on tourism and there’s an effort to ensure visitors continue to travel, especially after the pandemic. For travellers who do visit, they’re rewarded with captivating landscapes, an abundance of wildlife and fascinating culture — and there’s barely any time difference.

What happened to the British Airways pilot?

In January 2024, the unnamed BA pilot was buying food at the Blubird Shopping Centre in Johannesburg when he was approached by a woman asking for help carrying her bags. Outside, several men bundled him into a car and drove him to another part of the city where he was “badly roughed up” . Later he was driven around the city to different cash machines where he was forced to withdraw thousands of pounds in cash. He has since been released and has flown back to the UK.

The pilot in question wasn’t the only one who has been attacked in the South African city. Another BA pilot was stabbed while on a jog in July 2023.

Is South Africa safe for tourists?

South Africa is considered generally safe for tourists. The areas in which visitors typically stay — Cape Town ’s city centre and inner suburbs, the Cape Winelands, the Garden Route and safari destinations — are among the safest in the country. But even so it is worth staying vigilant.

The Foreign Office says there is a high crime rate and that, while most violent crime takes place in townships on the outskirts of major cities or in isolated areas, tourists should always take safety precautions wherever they are. The threat is higher in central business districts of major cities than in suburban areas, and increases after dark. You should avoid walking at night — take an Uber instead — and don’t flash your valuables.

If you’re driving, don’t leave anything in your car — break-ins are common, particularly in the parking areas for Cape Town’s hiking trails. When you lock the car, check that it’s actually locked, as criminals often use remote jammers. On the go, keep your windows rolled up and doors locked — don’t open your window to speak to people at traffic lights — and stow bags and phones out of sight to avoid a “smash and grab”. Be aware of other drivers, especially on highways — road safety isn’t great and people often drink and drive.

Public transport is a mixed lot. The MyCiTi buses in Cape Town are generally safe, as is the Gautrain in Johannesburg , which connects the city to the airport. Avoid inter-city trains and minicabs.

Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International airport is notorious for luggage theft and the Foreign Office says people have been followed and then robbed, often at gunpoint. Make sure you keep all your valuables in your hand luggage and be careful when following GPS navigation. Avoid taking any alternative routes away from the main roads that may lead you to less secure areas.

Is Cape Town safe?

Cape Town is considered safe to travel to by the UK Foreign Office. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that crime rates are extremely high in the city, especially violent crime, including murder. In fact, Mexico’s Citizen Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice ranks it among the most violent cities in the world.

That said, it depends on where you are in the city. The areas frequented by tourists, such as the V&A Waterfront, have tight security and visits are generally trouble-free. And while the busy areas of Table Mountain are safe, there have been attacks on hikers in the more remote areas.

What else should I be aware of?

Popular beaches have lifeguards and sometimes shark spotters. Read and take heed of any warning signs.

Beach conditions and local safety measures can vary. Ask for a lifejacket if you decide to participate in water sports. Avoid swimming on beaches where there is no equipment or warning signs and, if in doubt, don’t enter the water.

It’s best to go hiking with a guide — you also get your own personal photographer that way. If you don’t go with a guide, make sure you join a group who know the mountains (check out Meetup or search Facebook or Instagram for community groups). Most permitted hiking trails in South Africa require you to be in a group of at least three for safety.

In Cape Town, there are hotspots for muggings and being alone on the trails can make you quite vulnerable — not just in relation to crime, but also if you hurt yourself, get lost or become unwell (through dehydration or a snake bite, for example).

The weather can change very quickly, too. It’s always a good idea to use Safety Mountain, a WhatsApp-based tracking service where you share the details of your Table Mountain hike or run and a volunteer will follow up if you’re late to check out.

Make sure you Google and save the relevant emergency rescue numbers for whatever part of the country you’re in. 10111 for police, 10177 for an ambulance and 112 for emergency services from a mobile phone (free) should work all over South Africa.

• Best hikes in South Africa

Is South Africa safe for women?

The answer to this underlines the difference between tourists and people who live in South Africa. The country has horrifying rape and gender-based violence statistics. In a 2009 study, one in four men admitted to committing rape. A third of girls will experience sexual abuse in their lifetime. South Africa is one of the most dangerous countries for women and girls — most at risk are those who live in poor and underserved areas such as townships.

While it’s important to know this, most female visitors will be fine and many women travel solo around South Africa. To keep yourself as safe as possible, don’t travel after dark. Aim to stay in hotels and guesthouses with decent security. Join groups for hiking or city tours (you also learn a lot more with a guide). Let people at home know where you are and what your plans are.

Use Uber over Bolt — Uber has better security features (such as driver facial recognition ID checks).

Is South Africa safe for honeymooners?

On the beach in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal

South Africa is a great honeymoon destination. Couples typically combine Cape Town with a safari and perhaps a beach break, either in South Africa or a resort in Mauritius or Mozambique. These kinds of trips follow safe tourist routes and visitors are unlikely to face problems if following basic safety advice.

• Best beaches in South Africa

Is South Africa safe for LGBTQ travellers?

Cape Town is considered South Africa’s most gay-friendly city

The facts about LGBTQ safety again reveal the contrasting experiences of those in disenfranchised communities and wealthy residents or tourists. Life can be extremely dangerous for LGBTQ people in townships. Yet in legal terms, South Africa is very liberal. People are protected from sexual orientation discrimination and it was one of the first countries in the world to legalise gay marriage — and same-sex couple visitors are very unlikely to encounter any problems. Cape Town is considered the most gay-friendly city in the country with a slew of LGBTQ bars and clubs, mostly around De Waterkant.

Where should I avoid in South Africa?

A good general rule is to ask people at your hotel or accommodation about a place you’re interested in visiting — they’ll have a much better idea of whether it’s safe at the current time and they’ll be able to recommend a guide to accompany you if needed.

Avoid protests and any areas experiencing unrest, for obvious reasons — again, ask locals about what’s happening at the time you’re travelling. Situations can change quickly. In 2024, South Africa will be holding its seventh general election, which may lead to unrest, so it’s worth checking local media for details before you travel.

On a guided township tour in Alexandra, Johannseburg

Typically, it’s not wise to travel into townships as a tourist by yourself. But that doesn’t mean you can’t go — find a guide through local businesses such as 18 Gangster Museum and Juma Art Tours in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, or Lebo’s in Soweto, Johannesburg.

Johannesburg is a really fun city to visit, with plenty to entertain tourists, but it does have a particularly high crime rate. There are areas to avoid and it’s best to ask a local guide or hotel staff about specifics and not to wander. If visitors experience crime, it’s likely to be theft — so keep your belongings secure (don’t leave your bag hanging off the back of your chair, for example) and be aware of who is around you.

Try to figure out your route before you leave so you don’t need to check your phone in the street. In cars, keep an eye on your surroundings when stopping at red lights, especially in quiet areas or at night; ideally, avoid driving after dark. Outside the major cities, it’s generally much safer — but you should still be vigilant and take normal safety precautions.

• Best South Africa tours • Best wildlife to see in South Africa • Best safaris in South Africa • Best hotels in Cape Town • Best things to do in Cape Town • Best things to do in Johannesburg • Best things to do in Durban

Additional reporting by Lucy Perrin

Best time to visit South Africa: when to go and what to do

foreign office travel advice johannesburg

ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS- LEVEL 1

*DISCLAIMER Updated as per Gazette 46078 of 22 March 2022 .

The country has been on adjusted alert level 1 from 30 December 2021.

Adjusted regulations include:

50% – maximum capacity of venues for indoor and outdoor gatherings.
72 – maximum hours for the validity of a COVID-19 test as proof of vaccination at indoor and outdoor venues.
1 000 – maximum number of people permitted to gather indoors without proof of vaccination.
2 000 – maximum number of people permitted to gather outdoors without proof of vaccination.
200 – maximum number of people permitted at a funeral.
72 – maximum hours for the validity of a negative PCR test travellers entering South Africa will need to show.
The wearing of masks in indoor public places is still mandatory.

How is South Africa doing with regard to COVID-19 response? South Africa has conducted over 23.6 million COVID-19 tests in both public and private health care facilities.

What Is COVID-ALERT App? The COVID-Alert APP alerts subscribers and provides relevant information if they have been in contact with any person who has tested positive for the virus. The APP helps to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. We request all international travellers who intend to visit the country to download the APP so that they can monitor and minimise their risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Where can I download the COVID-ALERT app ? You can download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play before you arrive in South Africa or on arrival.

When will borders be opened for international travel? The 20 land borders which are fully operational, will remain as such and the 33 land borders which were closed, will remain closed.

What informed the decision to open the borders to international travel? Government has adopted a gradual reopening of borders and ports of entry for international travel for business, leisure and other travel guided by the communique published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Public Health on considerations for international travel, as well as epidemiological and transmission rates both in South Africa and the traveller’s countries of origin.

What are the health protocols when travelling to South Africa? Travellers intending to visit the country will have to produce a valid certificate of of a negative COVID-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organization, that was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel.

In the event of a traveller’s failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative COVID-19 test, the traveller will be required to do an antigen test on arrival, at their own expense.

Which airports will be opened for international air travel? Three airports will be opened and operational for international air travel. These airports are: O.R. Tambo International (in Johannesburg, Gauteng); Cape Town International (in Cape Town, Western Cape); King Shaka International in (Durban, KwaZulu-Natal); Lanseria International Airport; and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport

What about daily commuters from neighbouring countries? Daily commuters from neighbouring countries, who attend or teach at a school in the Republic, and who are allowed entry into and exit from the Republic, are subject to complying with protocols relating to- (a) screening for COVID-19 and quarantine or isolation, where necessary; (b) the wearing of a face mask; (c) transportation; and (d) sanitisation and social distancing measures as per the relevant health protocols on safety and prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

Which land ports of entry will be opened for travellers from other African countries? 20 land borders are fully operational and the 33 land borders, which have been closed, will remain closed. Travellers who present themselves at borders that are unable to accommodate them will be directed to the currently operational border posts for processing.

What about transit travellers? Transit travellers through South Africa by air will be allowed to connect to their destinations, subject to them complying with applicable health protocols.

How are countries identified as high risk, medium risk and low risk? South Africa has developed a risk categorisation model for different international travellers. This model classifies international travellers according to a scale of high, medium and low risk. High-risk travellers are those who come from countries with higher numbers of COVID-19 infections and reported deaths compared to South Africa.

Medium risk travellers are from countries with a relatively equal number of infections and death toll to South Africa and low-risk travellers originate from countries with lesser number of infections of COVID-19 and death toll than South Africa.

Will leisure travellers from high-risk countries be permitted to travel to South Africa? The South African Government’s relaxing of level 1 lockdown rules around international travel allows entry for visitors from any country, provided they follow the prescribed health and safety guidelines.

Can I travel to a high-risk country to visit a family member? Yes, you can, however, you will be subject to the travel protocols in that country. Please be mindful though that countries can close their borders to international travellers at any given stage to curb the spread of the virus.

Which are the high-risk countries? The list of high-risk countries are frequently updated and can be accessed on the Home Affairs website: www.dha.gov.za

What are the compliance requirements for airline operators? A Foreign Operator (meaning an airline) is required to submit procedures that show the level of compliance with South African COVID-19 legislation for approval to the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

What are the compliance requirements relating to passengers? Passengers are required to wear face masks at all times and may only remove face masks during emergencies or when instructed by cabin crew to take them off. In addition and must observe social distancing, ensure handwashing, and sanitise regularly.

A passenger who is unable to wear a face mask due to an underlying medical condition must submit a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner to the Operator prior to departure.

A child under the age of two years may be exempted from wearing a face mask. This is because masks can restrict breathing for small children as their airways are smaller than older children and adults.

A passenger must provide to the Operator a certificate of a negative COVID-19 tests, recognised by the World Health Organization, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel. If a passenger is symptomatic, the necessary protocols of the National Department of Health will be followed.

What are the compliance requirements relating to crew members of airlines? Crew members are required to wear face masks at all times, except when conducting a safety briefing and during an emergency. Crew members shall upon arrival in South Africa be subjected to health protocols as contemplated for in Health Directions. An Operator must ensure the following risk mitigation measures for crew members:

(a) conduct risk assessments to ensure that crew members are fit and proper before they undertake their travel duties and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 crew infections; and

(b) ensure that crew members are protected whilst on duty.

What about travellers wishing to enter South Africa via seaports? To facilitate ease of transportation of goods and medicines to and from the country, ships will be allowed to dock, load and off-load cargo. Crew members from the cargo ships will be allowed to crew changes. These crew members will also be medically screened for COVID-19 symptoms.

Have visa services resumed? Visa services, including submission of applications through VFS Global, have resumed in the following categories: Visitor’s visas; study visa; treaty visa; business visa; crew visa; medical treatment visa; relative’s visa; general work visa; critical skills work visa; intra-company transfer work visa; retired person visa; corporate visa; exchange visa; waiver of the prescribed requirement, as contemplated in section 31(2) (c) ; and appeals or reviews contemplated in section 8 of the Immigration Act.

What about the visa-free status of citizens from certain countries? The visa-free status does not alter the current Covid-19 Regulations. The visa-free status of citizens from the following countries and territories has been reinstated:

South Korea

There are a number of regular visitors from mainly European countries that have been accustomed to long periods of visitation to our country during our summer season when it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Most of them own properties in the country. We appreciate the significant economic contribution that they make through their activities in the country. To this end, we will also allow visitors, in whichever category, who are coming to stay for a three months period or more subject to Covid-19 protocols.

People who need to apply must direct email requests to: [email protected], supported by—

(a) a copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa;

(b) proof of business activities to be undertaken in the Republic;

(d) proof of address or accommodation in the Republic.

Public Enquiries: 0800 60 11 90

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Travel - Coronavirus COVID-19

Note: health minister, joe phaahla, on wednesday 22 june 2022 repealed the several covid19 regulations relating to the wearing of face masks, gatherings and persons entering the country., health regulations, adjusted alert level 1, adjusted alert level 3, alert level 1, alert level 2, alert level 3, alert level 4, alert level 5, health regulations (in place from 4 may 2022 to 22 jun 2022).

Clarification on valid vaccination certificate

The government will, with effect from 27 May 2022 recognise all verifiable vaccination proofs with QR Codes, either paper based or electronic.

The details on the certificate/card should correspond with the information of the traveller as they appear on the passport. However, in cases where the vaccination certificate or card is not verifiable, the Department officials have got the right to contact the relevant embassy or High Commission in South Africa to confirm a type proof of vaccination issued by respective countries.

Full statement

Regulation of persons entering the country to contain the spread of COVID-19

16C. (1) Subject to the provisions of subregulations (6) to (7), the measures stipulated in subregulations (2) to (5) must be adhered to.

(2) For purposes of this regulation, "vaccinated against COVID-19" means having received at least one dose of a vaccine approved for use in respect of COVID-19 by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority or listed for this purpose by the World Health Organization.

(3) All international travellers arriving at South African Ports of Entry must: (a) be vaccinated against COVID-19 and produce a valid vaccination certificate; or (b) produce a valid certificate of a negative PCR COVID-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organization, which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of departure; or (c) produce a valid certificate of a negative antigen COVID-19 test performed by a medical practitioner, registered public health authority or accredited/approved laboratory which was obtained not more than 48 hours before the date of departure; or (d) produce a valid certificate of a positive PCR COVID-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organization, for a test date less than 90 days prior to the date of arrival and more than 10 days prior to the date of arrival, together with a signed letter from a health care provider, registered in the country of origin, stating that the person has fully recovered from COVID-19, is not experiencing any new symptoms and is fit to travel.

(4) If an international traveller does not comply with subregulation (3): (a) the traveller must undergo antigen testing for COVID-19 at the Port of Entry; and (b) if the traveller tests positive for COVID-19 in the antigen test, the traveller will still be admitted into the Republic but, if the traveller is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the traveller must self-isolate for ten days after admission into the Republic.

(5). Subregulations (3) and (4) do not apply to: (a) travellers who are under 12 years old; and (b) daily commuters from neighbouring countries.

(6) The measures in this Regulation shall come into operation upon publication of this regulation in the Government Gazette.

(7) The Minister of Health may: (a) determine that the measures in this Regulation, in part or in their entirety, are no longer necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19 and give notice of this determination in the Government Gazette, whereupon the measures concerned will no longer be in operation; and (b) at any time after having made such a determination, determine that the measures concerned are once again necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19 and give notice of this determination in the Government Gazette, whereupon the measures concerned will resume operation.

The 21 land borders which are fully operational will remain as such and the 32 land borders which were closed will remain closed except for the Telle Bridge Port of Entry which will reopen on the commencement of this amendment to the Regulations.

The Cabinet member responsible for Home Affairs may, from the date of commencement of this amendment to the Regulations, issue directions regarding the opening and closing of any further Ports of Entry.

Note: Updated information on curfew . (30 Dec 2021)

Daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend or teach at a school in the Republic, and who are allowed entry into and exit from the Republic, are subject to compliance with protocols relating to- (a) screening for COVID -19 and quarantine or isolation, where necessary; (b) the wearing of a face mask; (c) transportation; and (d) sanitisation and social distancing measures as per the relevant health protocols on safety and prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

The following is an extraction from Gazette 44124, 29 January 2021 (as amended by Gazette 44208, 1 March 2021 and Gazette 45379 of 22 October 2021)

International and domestic flights

Updated regulations of 22 March 2022 (see https://www.gov.za/covid-19/about/coronavirus-covid-19-alert-level-1 ):

Traveling to and from the Republic from neighbouring countries is allowed: Provided that travellers who are- (a) fully vaccinated must upon arrival at the land border, produce, a valid vaccination certificate; and (b) unvaccinated must upon arrival at the land border, provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organisation, which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel.

All international travellers arriving at the Ports of Entry who are- (i) fully vaccinated must upon arrival at the Port of Entry, produce a valid vaccination certificate; and (ii) unvaccinated must upon arrival at the Port of Entry, provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organisation, which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel.

(1) International flights to and from the Republic, as well as domestic flights within the Republic, are permitted in terms of regulation 42, read with regulation 43(2)(a), of the Regulations.

(2) International passenger flights to and from the Republic are permitted, subject to the following conditions: (a) A traveler must provide a valid certificate with a negative COVID-19 test outcome, recognised by the World Health Organisation, or equivalent local accredited authority, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel. South African Authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of the presented certificate; (b) in the event of the traveller's failure, for whatever reason, to submit a valid negative test certificate in terms of paragraph (a), upon arrival in South Africa, the traveller shall be required to do an antigen test at his or her own costs; (c) in the event of the traveller testing positive for COVID -19, he or she shall be required to isolate him or herself, at his or her own cost, for 10 days; (d) a passenger is required to wear a face mask at all times, may only remove a face mask during an emergency or when instructed by cabin crew to take it off and must observe social distancing; (e) a foreign Operator is required to submit procedures that show the level of compliance with South African COVID-19 legislation for approval to the South African Civil Aviation Authority; (f) foreign Air Ambulance Services are permitted to transport COVID-19 positive patients: Provided that they obtain approval from the Department of Health, obtain a permit issued by the Department of Transport prior to departure, and comply with the Department of Health Protocols and the Air Ambulance Guidelines issued by the Minister; (g) a child under the age of six years may be exempted from wearing a face mask; (h) a passenger who is unable to wear a face mask due to an underlying medical condition, must submit a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner to the Operator prior to departure; (i) flight deck crew are required to wear face masks for the purpose of embarking and disembarking; (j) cabin crew members are required to wear face masks at all times, except when conducting a safety briefing or during an emergency; (k) an "immunity passport", "risk -free certificate" or "passport immunity" in respect of COVID -19 is not acceptable; (l) an Operator shall not board any passenger without a valid negative COVID-19 certificate; (m) crew members shall, upon arrival in South Africa, be subjected to health protocols as contemplated in Health Directions; (n) an Operator must ensure and follow the following risk mitigation measures for crew members: (i) Conduct risk assessments to ensure that crew members are fit and proper before they undertake their travel duties and mitigate the risk of COVID -19 crew infections; and (ii) ensure that crew members are protected whilst on duty; (o) an Operator (i) is allowed to provide pre-packed catering on-board the aircraft and must take all risk mitigation, health and safety measures to contain the spread of COVID-19; and (ii) may make available self-service complimentary magazines which passengers may pick up as they enter the aircraft, such magazine must not be shared amongst the passengers and if left behind by passengers after each use, must be safely disposed. (p) a passenger in transit- (i) must be in possession of a valid negative COVID-19 certificate, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory

(3) (a) International scheduled operations and charter flights carrying passengers are allowed at the following airports: (i) OR Tambo International Airport; (ii) King Shaka International Airport; (iii) Cape Town International Airport; (iv) Lanseria International Airport; and (v) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. (b) Long-haul flight departures and landings at the airports listed in paragraph (a) are permitted during the hours of curfew as provided for in regulation 67(1) of the Regulations. (c) Passengers affected by flights referred to in (b) are required to present evidence of a valid boarding pass or flight ticket when stopped by law enforcement officers during curfew hours.

(4) Charter Operators conducting cargo and passenger operations to and from the Republic are permitted to operate at the following airports with Port Health capacity: (a) Bram Fischer International Airport; (b) Cape Town International Airport; (c) King Shaka International Airport; (d) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport; (e) Lanseria International Airport; (f) OR Tambo International Airport; (g) Polokwane Airport; (h) Port Elizabeth International Airport; and (i) Upington International Airport.

(5) With regard to international outbound flights - (a) subject to the travel requirements of the country of destination, a passenger must provide the Operator with a valid negative PCR test certificate or a valid negative COVID -19 test certificate from an accredited laboratory, certified by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority ( "SAHPRA ") and South African National Accreditation System ( "SANAS "); (b) an Operator is responsible for ensuring that passengers comply with COVID-19 requirements of the country of destination; and (c) Operators must familiarise themselves with the public health measures, including testing requirements, at the destination airports prior to departure. (6) Domestic passenger flights are permitted at the following domestic airports, as approved: (a) Bram Fischer International Airport; (b) Cape Town International Airport; (c) East London; (d) George Airport; (e) Hoedspruit Airport; (f) Kimberly Airport; (g) King Shaka International Airport; (h) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport; (i) Lanseria International Airport; (j) Margate Airport; (k) Mthatha Airport; (I) OR Tambo International Airport; (m) Phalaborwa Airport; (n) Pietermaritzburg Airport; (o) Pilanesburg Airport; (p) Plettenberg Bay Airport; (q) Polokwane Airport; (r) Port Elizabeth International Airport; (s) Richards Bay Airport; (t) Sishen Airport; (u) Skukuza Airport; and (v) Upington International Airport.

All commercial seaports will remain open and small crafts will be allowed entry into seaports, in-line with all health and border law enforcement protocols.

Cargo transport

Rail, ocean, air and road transport is permitted for the movement of cargo to and from other countries and within the Republic, subject to national legislation and any directions issued in terms of subregulation (2), for the transportation of goods for export and for import.

The Cabinet member responsible for trade. industry and competition may, after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for transport and finance, issue directions that provide for the management, administration and prioritisation of exports or imports, taking into account the need to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19 and to deal with the destructive and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cabinet member responsible for transport may, after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, trade, industry and competition, health, justice and correctional services, finance and public enterprises, issue directions relating to health

Public transport

For purposes of this regulation "long distance travel" is a trip of 200 km or more.

The Cabinet member responsible for transport must, after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, health, police, trade, industry and competition, and justice and correctional services, issue directions for the resumption of different modes of public transport to cater for the gradual return to work of people, in respect of- (a) domestic air travel; (b) rail, bus services, taxi services; (c) e-hailing services; and (d) private vehicles.

Bus and taxi services - (a) may not carry more than 70% of the licensed capacity for long distance travel; and (b) may carry 100% of the licensed capacity for any trip not regarded as long distance travel in terms of subregulation (1).

A driver, owner or operator of public transport may not allow any member of the public who is not wearing a face mask, to board or be conveyed in a public transport owned or operated by him or her.

The directions to be issued by the Cabinet member responsible for transport must set out the health protocols that must be adhered to and the steps to be followed for the limitation of the exposure of members of the public using public transport to COVID-19.

Adjusted Alert level 3 [updated on 25 July 2021]

The nationwide curfew is extended from 22H00 until 04H00 . Apart from permitted workers and for medical and security emergencies, nobody is allowed outside their place of residence during curfew.

Partial re-opening of borders

The 20 land borders which are fully operational, will remain as such and the 33 land borders which were closed, will remain closed.

Traveling to and from the Republic is allowed, subject to subregulation (3).

Daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend or teach at a school in the Republic, and who are allowed entry into and exit from the Republic, are subject to compliance with protocols relating to- (a) screening for COVID-19 and quarantine or isolation, where necessary; b) the wearing of a face mask; (c) transportation: and (d) sanitisation and social distancing measures as per the relevant health protocols on safety and prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

International air travel is restricted to the following airports - (i) OR Tambo International Airport: (ii) King Shaka International Airport; (iii) Cape Town International Airport; (iv) Lanseria International Airport; and (v) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. Long-haul flight departures and landings at the airports listed in paragraph (a) are permitted during the hours of curfew as provided for in regulation 33(1). All international travellers arriving at the airports listed in paragraph (a) must provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organisation, which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel. In the event of the traveller's failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative COVID-19 test, the traveller will be required to do an antigen test on arrival at his or her own cost and in the event of a traveller testing positive for COVID-19, he or she will be required to isolate him or herself at his or her own cost, for a period of 10 days.

All commercial seaports will remain open and small crafts will be allowed entry into seaports, in-line with all health and border law enforcement protocols.

Air travel [ updated 29 January 2021 ]

International flights to and from the Republic, as well as domestic flights within the Republic, are permitted in terms of regulation 42, read with regulation 43(2)(a), of the Regulations.

International passenger flights to and from the Republic are permitted, subject to the following conditions: (a) A traveller must provide a valid negative Polymerase Chain Reaction ( "PCR ") test certificate, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory and, in line with World Health Organization requirements or equivalent local accreditation authority. South African Authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of the presented PCR negative test certificates; (b) in the event of the traveller's failure, for whatever reason, to submit a valid negative test certificate in terms of paragraph (a), upon arrival in South Africa, the traveller shall be required to do an antigen test at his or her own costs; (c) in the event of the traveller testing positive for COVID-19, he or she shall be required to isolate him or herself, at his or her own cost, for 10 days; (d) a passenger is required to wear a face mask at all times, may only remove a face mask during an emergency or when instructed by cabin crew to take it off and must observe social distancing; (e) a foreign Operator is required to submit procedures that show the level of compliance with South African COVID -19 legislation for approval to the South African Civil Aviation Authority; (f) foreign Air Ambulance Services are permitted to transport COVID-19 positive patients: Provided that they obtain approval from the Department of Health, obtain a permit issued by the Department of Transport prior to departure, and comply with the Department of Health Protocols and the Air Ambulance Guidelines issued by the Minister; (g) a child under the age of six years may be exempted from wearing a face mask; (h) a passenger who is unable to wear a face mask due to an underlying medical condition, must submit a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner to the Operator prior to departure; (i) flight deck crew are required to wear face masks for the purpose of embarking and disembarking; (j) cabin crew members are required to wear face masks at all times, except when conducting a safety briefing or during an emergency; (k) an "immunity passport", "risk-free certificate" or "passport immunity" in respect of COVID -19 is not acceptable; (l) an Operator shall not board any passenger without a valid negative PCR or a valid negative COVID -19 test certificate; (m) crew members shall, upon arrival in South Africa, be subjected to health protocols as contemplated in Health Directions; (n) an Operator must ensure and follow the following risk mitigation measures for crew members: (i) Conduct risk assessments to ensure that crew members are fit and proper before they undertake their travel duties and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 crew infections; and (ii) ensure that crew members are protected whilst on duty; (o) an Operator is allowed to provide catering on -board the aircraft: Provided that it takes all risk mitigation and health and safety measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, which includes the provision of prepacked meals; (p) a passenger in transit - (i) must be in possession of a valid negative PCR test certificate or a valid negative COVID-19 test certificate, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory; (ii) who displays symptoms of COVID-19 must, upon arrival and under the direction of Port Health - (aa) be taken through primary and secondary screening, including COVID-19 testing, where applicable; (bb) if travelling with family, be quarantined, at own cost, with the whole family; and (cc) if a positive test result is obtained, be isolated, at own cost; and (iii) must follow all Department of Health protocols and guidelines, a child or a person with disabilities may be exempted from COVID-19 testing if testing will prove to be a challenge: Provided that Operators must consult local public health authorities to confirm the requirement prior to departure.

International scheduled operations and charter flights carrying passengers are allowed at the following airports:(i) OR Tambo International Airport: (ii) King Shaka International Airport; (iii) Cape Town International Airport; (iv) Lanseria International Airport; and (v) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

Charter Operators conducting cargo and passenger operations to and from the Republic are permitted to operate at the following airports with Port Health capacity: (a) Bram Fischer International Airport; (b) Cape Town International Airport; (c) King Shaka International Airport; (d) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport; (e) Lanseria International Airport; (f) OR Tambo International Airport; (g) Polokwane Airport; (h) Port Elizabeth International Airport; and (i) Upington International Airport.

With regard to international outbound flights - (a) subject to the travel requirements of the country of destination, a passenger must provide the Operator with a valid negative PCR test certificate or a valid negative COVID-19 test certificate from an accredited laboratory, certified by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority ( "SAHPRA ") and South African National Accreditation System ( "SANAS "); (b) an Operator is responsible for ensuring that passengers comply with COVID-19 requirements of the country of destination; and (c) Operators must familiarise themselves with the public health measures, including testing requirements, at the destination airports prior to departure.

Domestic passenger flights are permitted at the following domestic airports, as approved: (a) Bram Fischer International Airport; (b) Cape Town International Airport; (c) East London; (d) George Airport; (e) Hoedspruit Airport; (f) Kimberly Airport; (g) King Shaka International Airport; (h) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport; (i) Lanseria International Airport; (j) Margate Airport; (k) Mthatha Airport; (I) OR Tambo International Airport; (m) Phalaborwa Airport; (n) Pietermaritzburg Airport; (o) Pilanesburg Airport; (p) Plettenberg Bay Airport; (q) Polokwane Airport; (r) Port Elizabeth International Airport; (s) Richards Bay Airport; (t) Sishen Airport; (u) Skukuza Airport; and (v) Upington International Airport.

General aviation [updated 29 January 2021]

General and recreational aviation and aerial work, consistent with the applicable COVID-19 Regulations and Directions, are permitted.

Air cargo [updated 29 January 2021]

The following International Airports, designated as Ports of Entry, have Port Health capability and will be ready to handle air cargo: (a) Bram Fischer International Airport; (b) Cape Town International Airport; (c) King Shaka International Airport; (d) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport; (e) Lanseria International Airport; (f) OR Tambo International Airport; (g) Pilanesberg Airport; (h) Polokwane Airport; (i) Port Elizabeth International Airport; and (j) Upington International Airport.

The loading and off-loading of air cargo in and out of International Airports, designated as Ports of Entry, are permitted.

Cargo transport [updated 25 July 2021]

Rail, ocean. air and road transport is permitted for the movement of cargo to and from other countries and within the Republic, subject to national legislation and any directions issued in terms of subregulation (2), for the transportation of goods for export and for import.

The Cabinet member responsible for trade, industry and competition may. after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for transport and finance, issue directions that provide for the management, administration and prioritisation of exports or imports, taking into account the need to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19 and to deal with the destructive and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public transport [updated 25 July 2021]

The Cabinet member responsible for transport must, after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, health, police, trade, industry and competition, and justice and correctional services. issue directions for the resumption of different modes of public transport to cater for the gradual return to work of people, in respect of- (a) domestic air travel; (b) rail, bus services, taxi services; (c) e-hailing services; and (d) private vehicles.

Bus and taxi services - (a) may not carry more than 70 percent of the licensed capacity for long distance travel; and (b) may carry 100 percent of the licensed capacity for any trip not regarded as long distance travel in terms of subregulation (1).

A driver, owner or operator of public transport may not allow any member of the public who is not wearing a face mask, to board or be conveyed in a public transport owned or operated by him or her.

Railway operations [ updated 29 January 2021 ]

Long distance by rail services, including public and private operations, is permitted.

PRASA may continue commuter services between- (a) Cape Town Southern line and Simonstown; (b) East London and Berlin; (c) Pienaarspoort and Pretoria Central; and (d) Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage.

PRASA will continue with the maintenance, servicing and testing of its fleet and further sanitise and disinfect its stations and hubs and, upon completion, must announce the resumption of any other commuter services.

Gautrain may continue commuter services between- (a) Park Station and Hatfield; and (b) Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport.

Cross-border road transport [ updated on 29 January 2021 ]

Cross-border road transport passenger services are not permitted to operate with effect from the date of publication of these directions, except when transporting passengers in line with the provisions of regulation 42(1) and 42(2) of the Regulations.

Cross-border freight transport and logistics in respect of specified cargo, and retail goods to neighbouring countries are permitted.

Sea ports [ updated on 10 February 2021 ]

Commercial seaports and foreign crew changes

All commercial sea ports remain open.

Foreign crew changes are permitted at all nine commercial ports. (a) Signing-on crew must produce, at the first South African Port of Entry, a valid negative Polymerase Chain Reaction ( "PCR ") test certificate or a valid certificate of negative COVID-19 test results, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory and in line with World Health Organization requirements. (b) in the event of the crew member's failure, for whatever reason, to submit a valid negative test certificate in terms of paragraph (a), upon arrival in South Africa, the crew member shall be required to do an antigen test at his or her own costs; (c) The failure of a crew member to produce a valid negative PCR test certificate or a valid certificate of negative COVID -19 test results will warrant quarantine, at the crew member's or employer's own cost.

(a) Signing-off crews are not required to produce a valid negative PCR test certificate if the vessel has not had crew changes or has not visited a foreign port within 10 days before arrival at a South African sea port. (b) A crew member's failure to adhere to the requirement contemplated in paragraph (a) or (b), in instances where the vessel has had crew changes or has visited a foreign port within 10 days before arrival at a South African sea port, will warrant quarantine, at the crew member's or employer's own cost.

(a) Foreign crew may layover at a designated quarantine facility for a period not exceeding seven days, at their own cost, but must, immediately after this period has lapsed, proceed directly to the nearest Port of Entry and comply with South African immigration requirements and Port Health protocols. (b) Shore leave is allowed for foreign crew in line with South African immigration requirements and Port Health protocols.

Passenger ships visiting South African sea port

Passenger ships for international leisure purposes are prohibited from disembarking any international passengers at any South African sea port.

Passenger ships are allowed to call at any South African sea port only for the following purposes: (a) Disembarking returning South African citizens and holders of South African permanent residence permits; (b) replenishing fuel, stores and provisions; (c) medical evacuation; and (d) search and rescue.

Small craft to call at designated South African commercial ports

All small crafts are allowed to call at the following designated South African commercial ports: (a) Port of Cape Town; (b) Port of Durban; and (c) Port of Richards Bay.

All small crafts are allowed to call at the designated commercial ports referred to above for purposes of repairs, stores, provisions, refueling and leisure.

South African Sailing must, within 96 hours prior to arrival of a small craft at a designated South African commercial port, submit to the National Department of Transport a request or application for entry by a small craft to South African commercial ports, which request or application must- (a) be forwarded by electronic mail to [email protected] , with a copy forwarded to [email protected] ; and (b) contain the following information: (i) The name of the small craft; (ii) registration number of the small craft; (iii) last Port of Call and date of departure; (iv) South African first Port of Call; (v) South African second Port of Call; (vi) estimated date of arrival; and (vii) the total number of sailors on board, including the nationalities of such sailors.

The National Department of Transport will issue via emails a list of approved requests to all relevant stakeholders, upon receipt.

All sailors must comply with the South African immigration requirements and Port Health protocols.

Transportation of cargo

The transportation of cargo from the sea ports of entry to their final destination is permitted.

The transportation of cargo to the sea ports of entry for export is permitted.

The loading and off-loading of cargo in and out of commercial ports are permitted.

(1) Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 22H00 until 04H00 daily, except where a person - (a) has been granted permission through directions by the relevant Cabinet member or a permit; or (b) is attending to a security or medical emergency. ( See Alert level 1 general regulations )

Re-opening of borders (As updated from Gazette 43897 of 11 November 2020)

The 18 land borders which were partially operational, will be fully operational, and the 34 land borders which were closed, will remain closed.

Traveling to and from the Republic is allowed, subject to subregulations (3).

All international travel will resume subject to- (a) the traveler providing a valid certificate of a negative test which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel; and (b) in the event of the traveler's failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative test, the traveler will be required to quarantine him or herself at his or her own costs.

International air travel is restricted to the following airports- (a) OR Tambo International Airport; (b) King Shaka International Airport; and (c) Cape Town International Airport.

Daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend or teach at a school in the Republic, and who are allowed entry into and exit from the Republic, subject to compliance with protocols relating to- (a) screening for COVID-19 and quarantine or isolation, where necessary; (b) the wearing of a face mask; (c) transportation; and (d) sanitisation and social distancing measures as per the relevant health protocols on safety and prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

All commercial seaports will be opened.

All small crafts are allowed to call at the following designated South African commercial ports:

(a) Port of Durban; (b) Port of Cape Town; and (c) Port of Richards Bay

(2) All small crafts are allowed to call at the designated commercial ports referred to in subdirection (1) for purposes of repairs, stores, provisions, refueling and leisure.

(3) South African Sailing must, within 96 hours prior to arrival of a small craft at a designated South African commercial port, submit to the National Department of Transport a request or application for entry by a small craft to South African commercial ports, which request or application must-

(a) be forwarded by electronic mail to mscc @dot.gov.za, with a copy forwarded to Nepfumbadam @dot.gov.za; and (b) contain the following information: (i) The name of the small craft; (ii) registration number of the small craft; (iii) last Port of Call and date of departure; (iv) South African first Port of Call; (v) South African second Port of Call; (vi) estimated date of arrival; and (vii) the total number of sailors on board, including the nationalities of such sailors.

(4) The National Department of Transport will issue a list of approved requests to all relevant stakeholders, upon receipt.

(5) All sailors must comply with the South African Immigration requirements and Port Health protocols. ".

Travelling to South Africa

Travellers intending to visit the country will be expected to produce a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test that is not older than 72 hours from the time of departure from the country of origin to South Africa. This test must be conducted by a certified medical practitioner and should have the name and signature of the practitioner who conducted such test.

Upon arrival in the port of entry, the traveller will be screened for any COVID-19 symptoms or for contact with people who have been infected with the COVID-19 virus.

Travellers will also need to provide proof of accommodation address should they need to self-quarantine at the time of arrival in the country.

Should the traveller display any COVID-19–related symptoms or been in contact with an infected person(s), they will be expected to take a mandatory COVID-19 test. This test will be at the traveller’s cost. If the COVID-19 test comes back positive, the traveller will be subjected to a 10 day quarantine at a designated site. The accommodation at a quarantine site will be at the traveller’s cost.

( Gazette 43954 of 3 December 2020 )

The following category of persons are exempted from provisions of subparagraph (3)(b) but must comply with applicable entry requirements set out by the Department of Home Affairs; (a) Daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend or teach at a school in the Republic; (b) Children below the age of five years; (c) cross border freight operators; (d) Airline crew who upon arrival in the Republic do not disembark and; (e) Medical evacuation crew undertaking medical evacuations subject to having medical surveillance plans stipulating routine screening and testing of crew.

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on 11 November 2020 that "we are also opening up international travel to all countries subject to the necessary health protocols and the presentation of a negative Covid-19 certificate".

Any person from a country listed as having a high COVID-19 infection and transmission rate, who wish to undertake a business travel into South Africa, may with effect from 01 October 2020, in writing, apply to the Minister of Home Affairs and demonstrate reasons for their request to enter the Republic for business purposes during the period of the national state of disaster.

Such applications must be directed to email [email protected] (link sends e-mail) and supported by— (a) a copy of passport and/or temporary residence visa; (b) proof of business activities to be undertaken in the Republic; (c) proof of travel itinerary; and (d) proof of address or accommodation in the Republic.

People who are not allowed from high risk countries are leisure travellers only. List of high risk countries : (as of 19 October 2020 ).

Bangladesh
Italy
Netherlands
Philippines
United Kingdom

AIR SERVICES

Gazette 43752 of 1 October 2020 as amended by Gazette 43956 of 3 December 2020

International flights and domestic flights

International flights to and from the Republic, as well as domestic flights within the Republic, are permitted in terms of regulation 75, read with regulation 76(2)(a) of the Regulations.

With effect from the date of publication of these Directions [3 December 2020], international passenger flights to and from the Republic shall be permitted, subject to the following conditions:

(a) A traveller must provide a valid negative Polymerase Chain Reaction ( "PCR ") test certificate, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel from an accredited laboratory and in line with World Health Organization requirements or equivalent local accreditation authority, South African Authorities reserve the right to verify the authenticity of the presented PCR or COVID-19 test certificates; (b) in the event of the traveller's failure, for whatever reason, to submit a valid test certificate in terms of paragraph (a), as proof of a negative PCR test or a valid COVID-19 negative test status upon arrival in South Africa, the traveller shall be subjected to a compulsory quarantine or undergo COVID-19 testing in line with the National Health Regiments; (c) a passenger is required to wear a face mask at all times, may only remove a face mask during an emergency or when instructed by cabin crew to take it off and must observe social distancing, hand washing and sanitize regularly; (d) a foreign Operator is required to submit procedures that show the level of compliance with South African COVID-19 legislation for approval to the South African Civil Aviation Authority; (e) foreign Air Ambulance Services are permitted to transport COVID-19 positive patients: Provided that they obtain an approval from the Department of Health, obtain a permit issued by the Department of Transport prior to departure, and comply with the Department of Health Protocols and the Air Ambulance Guidelines issued by the Minister; (f) child under the age of five years may be exempted from wearing a face mask; (g) a passenger who is unable to wear a face mask due to an underlying medical condition, must submit a medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner to the Operator prior to departure; (h) light deck crew are required to wear masks for the purpose of embarking and disembarking; (i) cabin crew members are required to wear masks at all times, except when conducting a safety briefing or during an emergency; (j) an "immunity passport", "risk-free certificate" or "passport immunity" in respect of COVID-19 is not acceptable; (k) an Operator shall not board any passenger without a valid negative PCR or a valid COVID-19 negative test certificate; (l) crew members shall, upon arrival in South Africa, be subjected to health protocols as contemplated in Health Directions; (m) an Operator must ensure and follow the following risk mitigation measures for crew members: (i) Conduct risk assessments to ensure that crew members are fit and proper before they undertake their travel duties and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 crew infections; and (ii) ensure that crew members are protected whilst on duty; (n) an Operator is allowed to provide catering on-board aircraft: Provided that they take all risk mitigation, health and safety measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, including the provision of pre-packed meals; (o) a passenger in transit - (i) must be in possession of a negative PCR test certificate or a valid COVID-19 negative test certificate, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory; (ii) who displays symptoms of COVID-19 must, upon arrival and under the direction of Port Health- (aa) be taken through primary and secondary screening, including COVID-19 testing, where applicable; (bb) be quarantined, at own cost, if a positive test result is obtained; and (cc) if travelling with family, be quarantined, at own cost, with the whole family; (p) a child or a person with disabilities may be exempted from COVID-19 testing if testing will prove to be a challenge: Provided that Operators must consult local public health authorities to confirm the requirement prior to departure; (q) international scheduled operations and Charter flights carrying passengers are allowed at the following airports: (i) OR Tambo International Airport; (ii) King Shaka International Airport; and (iii) Cape Town International Airport; and (r) Charter Operators conducting cargo and passenger operations to and from the Republic are permitted to operate at the following airports with Ports Health capacity: (i) Bram Fischer International Airport; (ii) Cape Town International Airport; (iii) King Shaka International Airport; (iv) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport; (v) Lanseria International Airport; (vi) OR Tambo International Airport; (vii) Polokwane Airport; (viii) Port Elizabeth International Airport; and (ix) Upington International Airport.

With regard to international outbound flights- (a) subject to the travel requirements of a country of destination, a passenger must provide the Operator with a valid negative PCR test certificate or a valid COVID-19 negative test certificate from an accredited laboratory certified by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority ( "SAHPRA ") and South African National Accreditation System ( "SANAS "); (b) an Operator is responsible for ensuring that passengers comply with COVID-19 requirements of the country of destination; and (c) Operators must familiarise themselves with the public health measures, including testing requirements, at the destination airport prior to departure.

The loading and off-loading of air cargo in and out of International Airports, Designated as Ports of Entry, is permitted.

Gazette 43753 of 1 October 2020 , as updated with Gazette 43957 of 3 December 2020

Foreign crew changes and prohibition of cruise ships calling at sea ports

Foreign crew changes are permitted at all nine commercial ports.

Signing-on crew must produce a negative Polymerase Chain Reaction ( "PCR ") test certificate or a valid certificate of COVID -19 negative test results, obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel, from an accredited laboratory and in line with World Health Organization requirements at the first South African Port of Entry.

In the event of a crew member's failure to produce a valid PCR test certificate, this will warrant quarantine, at the crew member's own cost.

Signing -off crews are not required to produce a valid PCR test certificate if the vessel has not had crew changes or has not visited a foreign port within 10 days before arrival at a South African sea port.

A crew member's failure to adhere to the requirement contemplated in paragraph (a), will warrant quarantine, at the crew member's own cost.

Foreign crew may layover at a designated quarantine facility for a period not exceeding seven days, at their own cost, but must, immediately after this period has lapsed, proceed directly to Ports of Entry and comply with South African Immigration requirements and Port Health protocols.

Shore leave is allowed for Foreign Crew in line with South African Immigration requirements and Port Health protocols.

Cruise ships are prohibited from calling at any of the South African sea ports, except for the disembarkation of returning- (a) South African crew; (b) South African citizens; or (c) holders of South African permanent residence permits.

All passenger ships for international leisure purposes are prohibited from disembarking any international passengers at any South African sea port.

Registered research foreign vessels and marine safety tugs are allowed to dock at sea ports, subject to mandatory quarantine laws, as may be applicable.

All other cargo vessels must be allowed to dock at sea ports for purposes of cargo works, repairs, replenishing fuel and provisions.

CROSS-BORDER ROAD TRANSPORT

Gazette 43754 of 1 October 2020

Cross-border road transport passenger services are permitted to operate from 1 October 2020.

Cross-border freight transport and logistics in respect of specified cargo and permitted retail goods to neighbouring countries, which include goods imported through the South African Ports of Entry for re- export to neighbouring countries, is permitted.

Provision of improved access to hygiene and disinfection control at cross-border public transport facilities

All owners of cross-border road transport facilities must, at regular intervals, for the duration of the national state of disaster, sanitise their facilities, and provide adequate sanitisers or other hygiene dispensers for washing of hands and disinfection equipment for users of public transport services.

Owners of cross -border road transport facilities must put measures in place to adhere to social distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Embarkation of cross-border road transport vehicles

All cross -border road transport operators must - (a) ensure that cross -border road transport passenger vehicles are sanitised before picking up and after dropping off passengers; (b) ensure that all cross- border road transport vehicles are clean and tidy; (c) ensure that all cross -border road transport vehicles' doors and window handles, arm rests and hand rails are sanitised after every load; (d) encourage cross -border road transport passengers to sanitise after entering the vehicle and after getting off the vehicle; (e) put measures in place to adhere to social distancing to curb the spread of COVID-19; and (f) provide disinfection information materials and procedures.

All drivers of cross-border transport vehicles must wear a cloth face mask or a homemade item that covers the nose and mouth.

Any marshal or security officer who interacts with members of the public in a cross -border road transport facility must wear a cloth face mask or a homemade item that covers the nose and mouth.

The sanitisers used to sanitise all cross- border road transport vehicles must have a minimum of 70% alcohol content.

No person will be allowed to use any form of cross -border road transport or enter a cross -border road transport facility, building, place or premises if they do not wear a cloth face mask or a homemade item that covers the nose and mouth.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Public transport services, private vehicles and loading capacity of public transport vehicles

All long distance intra-provincial and inter-provincial travel by private vehicles and public transport services are permitted.

For purpose of long distance travel,

(a) minibus, midibus or minibus taxi-type services are permitted to carry not more than 70% of their maximum licensed passenger carrying capacity for long distance intra-provincial travel and inter-provincial travel and are subject to the following limitations: (i) A minibus licensed to carry 10 passengers, is limited to carry a maximum of 7 passengers; (ii) a minibus licensed to carry 15 passengers, is limited to carry the maximum of 10 passengers; and (iii) a midibus licensed to carry 22 passengers, is limited to carry a maximum of 15 passengers; and

(b) bus services are permitted to carry not more than 70% of their licensed passenger carrying capacity for long distance intra-provincial and inter-provincial travel.

For purpose of any trip not regarded as long distance travel -

(a) bus, minibus, midibus, minibus taxi-type services, e-hailing services, meter taxis, shuttle services, chauffer driven vehicles and scholar transport vehicles are permitted to carry 100% of their maximum licensed passenger capacity; and

(b) rail operations are permitted to carry not more than 70% of their licensed passenger capacity.

Private vehicle are permitted to carry their maximum licensed passenger capacity.

Tourist transport services is permitted.

All international flights are prohibited, except those conducted for- (i) the transportation of fuel, cargo and goods; (ii) humanitarian operations; (iii) the evacuation of a South African national or permanent resident to the Republic; (iv) the repatriation of a foreign national to their country of nationality or permanent residence; (v) medical emergencies in respect of a life-threatening condition; (vi) the movement of staff of diplomatic and international organisations; (vii) the return of a South African national or permanent resident to their place of employment, study or residence, outside the Republic; or (viii) other categories, as authorised by the Minister of Transport, but excluding international passenger air travel for leisure purposes.

The following International Airports designated as Ports of Entry have port health capability and are permitted to handle air cargo: (a) Bram Fischer International Airport; (b) Cape Town International Airport; (c) King Shaka International Airport; (d) Kruger Mpumaianga International Airport; (e) Lanseria International Airport; (f) OR Tambo International Airport; (g) Pilanesberg Airport; (h) Polokwane Airport; (i) Port Elizabeth international Airport; and (j) Upington International Airport.

Domestic passenger flights are permitted.

Domestic passenger flights are permitted at the following domestic airports: (i) Bram Fischer International Airport; (ii) Cape Town International Airport; (iii) East London Airport; (iv) George Airport; (v) Hoedspruit Airport; (vi) Kimberly Airport; (vii) King Shaka International Airport; (viii) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport; (ix) Lanseria International Airport; (x) Margate Airport; (xi) Mthatha Airport; (xii) OR Tambo International Airport; (xiii) Phalaborwa Airport; (xiv) Pietermaritzburg Airport; (xv) Port Elizabeth International Airport; (xvi) Richards Bay Airport; (xvii) Skukuza Airport; and (xviii) Upington International Airport.

General Aviation

(1) Aerial work is permitted. (2) General aviation is permitted. (3) Recreational aviation is permitted.

Maritime transport

Foreign crew changes may only take place at the port of Cape Town and at the port of Durban, under the following conditions: (a) A request for crew changes must be completed by a shipping company or its representative on a form which corresponds substantially with Form A and submitted, at least 96 hours (four days) prior to the crew change, to the Department of Transport; (b) the form referred to in paragraph (a) must be accompanied by a detailed crew list, which also specifies the signing-on crew and signing-off crew. (c) the crew must comply with all the travel requirements and health protocols at ports of entry; (d) crew changes may take place at port and off port limits; (e) signing-on crew may directly transit from the airport to board the vessel: Provided that, if a layover is necessary, the crew must be quarantined as per the Port Health Protocol at the employer's costs and the name of the quarantine facility must be specified in the form referred to in paragraph (a); and (f) signing-on and signing-off crew may only in exceptional circumstances be permitted to layover.

Cruise ships are prohibited from calling at any of the South African ports, except for the disembarkation of returning - (a) South African crew; or (b) South African citizens or holders of permanent residence permits.

South African citizens and holders of permanent residence permits are advised to refrain from making use of international maritime transport or cruise ships.

All passenger vessels are prohibited from- (i) disembarking any passengers at any South African port; (ii) calling at any of the ports, except for the disembarkation of returning South African crew, South African citizens and holders of permanent residence permits. Signing-off crew of a passenger vessel may - (i) disembark from a passenger vessel at the port of Cape Town and at the port of Durban; and (ii) directly transit to the airport

Railway operations

Long-distance rail services (1) All long- distance rail services, both public and private operations, are permitted. (2) Shosholoza Meyl, Premier Classe, Blue Train and private rail operators, such as Rovos Rail, may resume domestic services.

Movement between provinces

Movement of persons between provinces is prohibited, except for-

(a) persons doing so in the course of carrying out work responsibilities or performing any service permitted under Alert Level 3, provided that such person is in possession of a permit issued by the employer; (b) persons travelling for purposes of- (i) moving to a new place of residence; or (ii) caring for an immediate family member: Provided that such person is in possession of an affidavit; (c) members of Parliament performing oversight responsibilities; (d) learners or students who have to commute to and from those schools or institutions of higher learning during periods when those schools or institutions are permitted to operate; (e) the attendance of funerals; (f) the transportation of mortal remains; (g) obtaining medical treatment; (h) persons who are returning to their place of residence from a quarantine or isolation facility; or (i) any movement permitted under regulation 41.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

(1) During the national state of disaster all borders of the Republic must be closed, except for ports of entry designated by the Cabinet member responsible for home affairs, for (a) the transportation of fuel, cargo and goods; and (b) humanitarian operations, repatriations, evacuations, medical emergencies, movement of staff of diplomatic and international organisations and other exceptions as may be determined by the relevant Cabinet member by directions.

(2) The Cabinet member responsible for home affairs, or a person designated by him or her, may allow entry into or exit from the Republic for- (a) emergency medical attention for a life-threatening condition; (b) the evacuation of a South African national or permanent resident to the Republic; (c) the repatriation of a foreign national to his or her country of nationality or permanent residence; (d) the return of a South African national or permanent resident to his or her place of employment, study or residence, outside the Republic; or (e) daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend school in the Republic, and who are allowed entry and exit into and from the Republic, subject to compliance with protocols relating to- (i) screening for COVID-19 and quarantine or isolation, where necessary; (ii) wearing of a cloth face mask or a homemade item that covers the nose and mouth when in a public place, or another appropriate item to cover the nose and mouth; (iii) transportation; and (iv) sanitisation and social distancing measures as per the relevant health protocols on safety and prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

(3) (a) A foreign tourist who arrived in the Republic prior to the period of lockdown, which ended on 30 April 2020, and who remained in the Republic- (i) must remain in his or her place of temporary residence until otherwise determined by the Cabinet member responsible for international relations and cooperation; and (ii) may be subject to screening for COVID-19 and be quarantined or isolated, as required. (b) The evacuation of foreign tourists may be allowed where arrangements, including an arrangement for evacuation by air charter, have been made by the relevant embassy: Provided that a tourist who is escorted to the point of exit may be screened again.

MARITIME TRANSPORT

Movement of cargo from our sea-ports to its final destination is allowed. Similarly, full operations for the port of Mossel Bay and port of Saldanha Bay for movement of Cargo will be permitted. Furthermore, allowance will be made for South African registered seafarers to embark and disembark ships with a mandatory quarantine for those returning. To this extent, the South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) shall be directed to issue a Marine Notice to this effect.

All international passenger flights are prohibited except those flights authorised by the Minister of Transport.

Limited domestic air travel for business purposes will be allowed, subject to restrictions on the number of flights per day and authorization based on the reason for travel. The availability of port health services will also guide the scheduling of flights. The resumption of domestic flights will be rolled out in three phases.

Guided by these considerations, commercial aircraft movement will be allowed from these airports:

OR Tambo International Airport
Cape Town International Airport
King Shaka International Airport, and
Lanseria International Airport

Domestic passenger flights are permitted from these airports:

Bram Fischer International Airport
East London Airport
George Airport
Kimberley Airport
King Shaka International Airport
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
Pietermaritzburg Airport
Port Elizabeth International Airport
Richardsbay Airport
Skukuza Airport; and
Upington International Airport.

All aerial work to conduct the following will be permitted from 01 July 2020: (a) agricultural spraying, seeding and dusting; (b) cloud spraying, seeding and dusting; (c) culling; (d) construction; (e) aerial harvesting; (f) aerial patrol, observation and survey; (g) aerial advertisement, including banner towing and other towing of objects; (h) search and rescue; (i) parachuting; (j) aerial recording by photographic or electronic means; (k) fire spotting, control and fighting; and (l) spraying, seeding or dusting other than for agricultural purposes and clouds.

General Aviation is permitted for the following purposes: (a) Approved Regional re-positioning flights for all South African and foreign registered aircraft into and from South Africa for return after maintenance and repair, to perform maintenance and repair or to continue with contractual work within South Africa or foreign countries within the region; (b) Exchanging of crew members operating in foreign countries as and when required; and (c) Transporting of aviation technicians, mechanics and engineers internationally for essential support and assistance to aircraft. (d) Proficiency flights provided that the flight is authorised by the South African Civil Aviation Authority and remains within the general flying area, airfield or airport boundaries. (e) Recreational aviation is permitted for proficiency flights provided that the flight is authorised by the South African Civil Aviation Authority and remains within the general flying area, airfield or airport boundaries.

Limited domestic air travel also means that flights will only be allowed to depart and land at selected airports in a phased manner as earlier explained.

Only passengers will be allowed inside the terminal buildings. Therefore, no accompanying members of the public will be allowed inside the terminal buildings.

Temperature screening will be conducted at the terminal building entrances, before any passenger is allowed entry.

No passengers will be allowed inside the terminal buildings without masks.

At boarding gates, boarding will be staggered and prioritized in terms of the number of passengers to board. Sectional boarding will be implemented to avoid unnecessary contact inside the aircraft.

Inside the cabin, full capacity will be allowed. It must be noted that the risk of COVID-19 infection onboard a commercial passenger airliner is lower than in many other confined spaces. All our commercial aircrafts are fitted with the High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. These are manufactured to the same standard as those used in hospital operating theatres and industrial clean rooms, with the same efficacy of 99.97% in removing viruses.

While the total air supply inside the cabin is essentially sterile and particle free, the biggest risk is if someone enters or remains in that environment, while unwell with a viral infection. This risk will be mitigated through the adoption of effective sanitization and personal hygiene protocols.

The following measures will apply inside the cabin of the aircraft:

no catering will be allowed;
no magazines on board;
the last row will be reserved for isolation of suspected cases.

All aircrafts must be disinfected before entering into service and after each flight;

Loading capacity for all airport buses must be limited to 70%. These buses must be disinfected after off-loading. Drivers, baggage handlers and ground handlers must be fully equipped with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

On arrival, all passengers must be screened as they enter the terminal building. Suspected cases must be referred to Port Health.

When we presented Level 4 Directions, we indicated that commuter rail will resume operations gradually on an incremental basis, based on detailed plans submitted by operators. Indeed, the Gautrain resumed its operations at the beginning of May 2020. As on 1 June 2020, the Gautrain will resume the airport service.

We have concluded that PRASA is not ready to resume with the Metrorail commuter service. We have therefore revised our timelines in respect of the resumption of the Metrorail commuter service. The revised target date is now 1 July 2020, on the following lines:

Pretoria to Pienaarspoort;
Cape Town to Simonstown;
East London to Berlin; and
Port Elizabeth to Uitenhage

Long distance trains remain prohibited.

Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 21H00 until 04H00 daily, except where a person has been granted a permit, which corresponds with Form 2 of Annexure A, to perform a service permitted under Alert Level 3, or is attending to a security or medical emergency. ( Gazette 43521 of 12 July 2020)

With the increase in the number of people returning to work and learners and students returning to institutions of learning, long distance public transport crossing Provincial, Metropolitan or District boundaries is permitted to operate. The condition for such operation is that public transport vehicles are only permitted to transport persons permitted to travel between Provinces in terms of the Regulations. Such travel is only restricted to:

Persons undertaking work responsibilities or performing a service permitted under Alert Level 3, provided they are in possession of the requisite permit.
Persons moving to a new place of residence;
Persons caring for an immediate family member;
Learners or students who have to commute to and from those schools or institutions of higher learning during periods when those schools or institutions are permitted to operate.
Attendance of funerals;
Transportation of mortal remains;
Obtaining medical treatment;
Persons returning to their place of residence from a quarantine or isolation facility;
Movement of children; and
Members of Parliament performing oversight responsibilities.

Bus and taxi services may operate under the following conditions: (a) May not carry more than 70% of the licensed capacity for long distance intra-provincial and permitted inter-provincial travel; and (b) may carry 100% of the licensed capacity for any trip not regarded as long distance travel.

Capacity restrictions:

eHailing and Metred Taxis remain at 50% loading capacity
Shuttle, Chauffer and Charter services remain at 50% loading capacity.

Adjusted alert level 4 is in place from 28 June 2021. Alert level 4 was in place from 1 to 31 May 2020.

Amendments will be published as soon as possible.

Movement of persons (as updated on 27 June 2021)

17. (1) Every person is confined to his or her place of residence from 21H00 until 04H00 daily, unless a person- (a) has been granted permission through directions issued by the relevant Cabinet member or a permit, which corresponds with Form 7 of Annexure A, to perform a service other than a service related to an activity listed under Table 1; (b) is attending to a security or medical emergency; or (c) arrives on a flight or is travelling to or from an airport which necessitates travelling during restricted hours of movement: Provided that the person traveling is in possession of a valid boarding pass as proof of flight or a copy of the airline ticket.

(2) Any person who fails to abide by the curfew referred to in subregulation (1) commits an offence and is, on conviction, liable to a fine or a period of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or to both such fine and imprisonment.

(3) Closing time for the places permitted to remain open is 20H00.

(4)(a) lnterprovincial travel for leisure to and from Gauteng is prohibited. (b) Travel to and from Gauteng is permitted - (i) for persons doing so in the course of carrying out work responsibilities or performing any service permitted under Adjusted Alert Level 4, provided that such person is in possession of a permit issued by the employer which corresponds with Form 7 of Annexure A; (ii) for the attendance of a funeral in or out of Gauteng: Provided that the person wishing to travel to or from Gauteng must obtain a permit which corresponds substantially with Form 4 of Annexure A. from his or her nearest magistrate's office or police station to travel to the funeral and back; (iii) for persons transiting through Gauteng; (iv) for the transportation of mortal remains; and (v) for learners who have to commute to and from school or higher education institutions on a daily basis during periods when those institutions are permitted to operate. (c) Travelling for purposes of- (i) moving to a new place of residence; (ii) caring for an immediate family member: Provided that such person is in possession of an affidavit which corresponds with Form 6 of Annexure A. (iii) oversight responsibilities by members of Parliament; (iv) obtaining medical treatment; and (v) returning to their place of residence from a quarantine or isolation facility, is allowed.

(5) The head of court, or a person designated by him or her, or a station commander of a police station or a person designated by him or her, may issue the permit to travel to a funeral, as contemplated in subregulation 4{b)(ii).

(6) Any person who was not at their place of residence, or work before the lockdown period and who could not travel between other provinces to or from Gauteng with the coming into operation of these regulations, will be permitted, on a once-off basis, to return to their places of residence or work, where after, the prohibition on travel to and from Gauteng will continue to apply.

Partial re-opening of borders (as updated on 27 June 2021)

26. (1) The 20 land borders which are fully operational, will remain as such and the 33 land borders which were closed, will remain closed.

(2) Traveling to and from the Republic is allowed, subject to subregulation (3).

(3) Daily commuters from neighbouring countries who attend or teach at a school in the Republic, and who are allowed entry into and exit from the Republic, are subject to compliance with protocols relating to- (a) screening for COVI D-19 and quarantine or isolation, where necessary; (b) the wearing of a face mask; (c) transportation; and (d) sanitisation and social distancing measures as per the relevant health protocols on safety and prevention of the spread of COVID-19.

(4) (a) International air travel is restricted to the following airports- (i) OR Tambo International Airport; (ii) King Shaka International Airport; (iii) Cape Town International Airport; (iv) Lanseria International Airport; and (v) Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. (b) Long-haul flight departures and landings at the airports listed in paragraph (a) are permitted during the hours of curfew as provided for in regulation 17(1). (c) All international travellers arriving at the airports listed in paragraph (a) must provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 test, recognised by the World Health Organisation, which was obtained not more than 72 hours before the date of travel. (d) In the event of the traveller's failure to submit a certificate as proof of a negative COVID-19 test, the traveller will be required to do an antigen test on arrival at his or her own cost and in the event of a traveller testing positive for COVID-19, he or she will be required to isolate him or herself at his or her own cost, for a period of 10 days. (5) All commercial seaports will remain open and small crafts will be allowed entry into seaports, in-line with all health and border law enforcement protocols.

Transportation of cargo (as updated on 27 June 2021)

27. (1) Rail, ocean, air and road transport is permitted for the movement of cargo to and from other countries and within the Republic, subject to national legislation and any directions issued in terms of subregulation (2), for the transportation of goods for export and for import.

(2) The Cabinet member responsible for trade, industry and competition may, after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for transport and finance, issue directions that provide for the management, administration and prioritisation of exports or imports, taking into account the need to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19 and to deal with the destructive and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(3) The Cabinet member responsible for transport may, after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, trade, industry and competition, health, justice and correctional services, finance and public enterprises, issue directions relating to health protocols applicable to sea cargo operations and air freight operation.

Public transport (as updated on 27 June 2021)

28. (1 ) For purposes of this regulation "long distance travel" is a trip of 200 km or more.

(2) The Cabinet member responsible for transport must, after consultation with the Cabinet members responsible for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, health, police, trade, industry and competition, and justice and correctional services, issue directions for the resumption of different modes of public transport to cater for the gradual return to work of people, in respect of- (a) domestic air travel; (b) rail, bus services, taxi services; (c) e-hailing services; and (d) private vehicles.

(3) Bus and taxi services- (a) may not carry more than 70 percent of the licensed capacity for long distance travel; and (b) may carry 100 percent of the licensed capacity for any trip not regarded as long distance travel in terms of subregulation (1).

(4) A driver, owner or operator of public transport may not allow any member of the public who is not wearing a face mask, to board or be conveyed in a public transport owned or operated by him or her.

(5) The directions to be issued by the Cabinet member responsible for transport must set out the health protocols that must be adhered to and the steps to be followed for the lim itation of the exposure of members of the public using public transport to COVID-19.

Sale, dispensing or transportation of liquor (as updated on 27 June 2021)

29. (1) The sale, dispensing and distribution of liquor is prohibited.

(2) The transportation of liquor is prohibited, except where alcohol is required for industries producing hand sanitizers, disinfectants, soap, alcohol for industrial use and household cleaning products.

(3) The transportation of liquor for export purposes is permitted.

(4) No special or events liquor licenses may be considered for approval during the duration of the national state of disaster.

The nation-wide lockdown will be enacted in terms of the Disaster Management Act and will entail the following:

From midnight on Thursday 26 March until the end of April all South Africans will have to stay at home.
The categories of people who will be exempted from this lockdown are the following: health workers in the public and private sectors, emergency personnel, those in security services – such as the police, traffic officers, military medical personnel, soldiers – and other persons necessary for our response to the pandemic.

It will also include those involved in the production, distribution and supply of food and basic goods, essential banking services, the maintenance of power, water and telecommunications services, laboratory services, and the provision of medical and hygiene products. A full list of essential personnel will be published.

Individuals will not be allowed to leave their homes except under strictly controlled circumstances, such as to seek medical care, buy food, medicine and other supplies or collect a social grant.
Temporary shelters that meet the necessary hygiene standards will be identified for homeless people. Sites are also being identified for quarantine and self-isolation for people who cannot self-isolate at home.
All shops and businesses will be closed, except for pharmacies, laboratories, banks, essential financial and payment services, including the JSE, supermarkets, petrol stations and health care providers.

Ceasing of passenger and commuter Rail Operations ( Gazette 43159 of 26 March 2020 )

(1) All long- distance rail services, both public and private, must stop operations for the duration of the lockdown. (2) Services of Shosholoza Meyl, Premier Class and Blue Train operated by PRASA and Transnet have been suspended . (3) The private rail operators such as Rovos Rail must cease operation. (4) All commuter rail services must stop operations for the duration of the lockdown including all Metrorail and Gautrain.

rohibition of International and Domestic Flights ( Gazette 43189 of 31 March 2020 )

(1) All international and domestic passenger flights are prohibited irrespective of the risk category of the country of origin except those flights especially authorised by the Minister of Transport for the evacuation of South African Nationals in foreign countries.

Repatriation ( Gazette 43189 of 31 March 2020 )

(2) (a) Repatriation of foreign national from South Africa back to their respective countries is allowed provided the following conditions are adhered to: (i) Foreign Countries must charter their aircraft to South Africa without passengers except with the crew. (ii) The crew is not be allowed to disembark.

Evacuation ( Gazette 43189 of 31 March 2020 )

(3) (a) Evacuation of South African citizens who desires to come back home is allowed provided: (i) He or she has a fully paid return flight ticket; (ii) On arrival they will be subjected to mandatory quarantine for a period of up to 21 days; and (iii) The crew shall be allowed to disembark subject to mandatory quarantine laws as may be applicable.

(4) (a) The following technical flights are allowed: (i) Medical evacuation flights; (ii) Aircraft in a state of emergency; (iii) Overflights; (iv) Technical landings for refuelling ; (v) Aircraft operations related to humanitarian aid, relief flights and other safety related operations. (b) Medical evacuation flights should not carry passengers except, patients and crew that will upon landing shall be subjected to mandatory quarantine laws as may be applicable. (c) Technical landing flights are allowed on condition that no passenger may disembark.

(5) The following Airports should have standby operational staff who will receive aircraft that are in distress. (i) Port Elizabeth; (ii) Bram Fischer; (iii) Upington; (iv) Polokwane; (v) Kruger Mpumalanga.

(6) Disembarkation of Flight Cargo Crew is permitted on condition that it will be subjected Quarantine laws applicable in South Africa.

Air Cargo ( Gazette 43160 of 26 March 2020 as amended by Gazette 43176 of 27 March 2020 )

(1) The following International Airports Designated as Ports of Entry have Port Health capability and are ready to handle air cargo and services: (a) O.R Tambo; (b) King Shaka; (c) Upington; (d) Polokwane; (e) Bram Fischer; (f) Kruger Mpumalanga; (g) Pilanesberg; and (h) Port Elizabeth; and (i) Cape Town.

(2) Lanseria International Airport must not allow the landings and departures of any international flights for the duration of the lockdown. (3) (1) The loading and off -loading of air cargo in and out of International Airports Designated as Ports of Entry is permitted. (2) (a) Air cargo from medium to high risk countries must be sanitised immediately after being off- loaded from the aircraft. (b) Sanitisation of cargo must be applied to air cargo carried by any South African aircraft coming from medium to high risk countries.

Embarkation and disembarkation of foreign nationals at international airports designated as Ports of Entry ( Gazette 43105 of 18 March 2020 )

(1) Crew from high risk countries shall be subjected to medical screening and quarantined up to 21 days. (2) Disembarkation of foreign nationals from high risk countries is suspended on all airports until further notice. (3) Embarkation and disembarkation is permissible under the following circumstances: - (a) disembarkation of a returning South African citizen and permanent residents. (b) embarkation of a departing foreign national. (c) disembarkation of a declared medical emergency of foreign nationals must be approved by the Port Health Services. (4) South African citizens and permanent residents are advised to refrain from all use of air travel until further notice. (5) The loading and off -loading of cargo in and out of airports is permitted.

Charter Operators ( Gazette 43105 of 18 March 2020 )

(1) All Charter Operators for the duration of this regulations, are required to operate in the International Airports that have the Ports Health capability and be subjected to Health assessment. (2) The following International Airports have the necessary capacity and will be ready to handle the Charter flights: a) O R Tambo b) Lanseria c) King Shaka d) Upington e) Polokwane f) Bram Fischer g) Kruger Mpumalanga h) Pilanesberg i) Port Elizabeth; and i) Cape Town

Countries impacted by South Africa's travel restrictions. ( Gazette 43105 of 18 March 2020 )

(1) South Africa has restriction access to foreign nationals and travellers from (High Risk Countries) a) China b) Germany c) Italy d) Iran e) South Korea f) Spain g) United Kingdom h) United States of America i) France (2) South Africa has imposed extra screening measures on people from places such as: (Medium Risk) (3) a) Hong Kong b) Portugal c) Singapore This list is subject to change in line with risk rating of World Health Organization (WHO).

Provision of improved access and hygiene, disinfection control on all public transport facilities. ( Gazette 43157, 26 March 2020 )

All owners of public transport facilities must on regular intervals provide adequate sanitizers or other hygiene dispenser for washing of hands and disinfection equipment for users of public transport services for the duration of the directions.

Embarkation of public transport passengers in the public transport vehicles ( Gazette 43157, 26 March 2020 )

(1) All operators must ensure that public transport vehicles are sanitized before picking up and after dropping off passengers. (2) Operators must ensure that all public transport vehicles door and window handles, arm -rest and hand rails are sanitized before picking up and dropping off passengers. (3) Operators must ensure that all public transport vehicles are clean and tidy. (4) All public transport operators must provide disinfection information materials and procedures. (5) All drivers must wear a mask. (6) Any marshal who interacts with members of the public in public transport facility should wear a mask. (7) The sanitisers used to sanitise all public transport vehicles must have a minimum of 60% alcohol content.

Prohibition of service of certain public transport during lockdown ( Gazette 43157, 26 March 2020 ) (As amended by Gazette 43183, 30 March 2020 and Gazette 43186, 31 March 2020 ) )

(1) All long distance and inter-provincial services are prohibited for the duration of the lockdown. (2) Transportation of passengers by buses is prohibited except when the bus is used for purposes of fearing passengers rendering essential services. (3) Public Transport permitted to ferry essential services workers will operate from 05h00 to 10h00 and from 16h00 to 20h00. (4) Buses and taxis shall be permitted to operate from 05h00 until 20h00 in order to cater the transportation needs of South Africans most vulnerable which is effective from 30 March 2020 until 03 April 2020

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of direction (3), public transport is provided with the following grace periods for picking up and dropping off, of passengers: (a) Minibuses and Midibuses Public Transport is permitted to proceed to a pickup point an hour before the operating times, which is from 05h00 to 10h00 without loading passengers; and (b) Minibuses and Midibuses Public Transport is permitted to proceed to drop off points an hour after the drop off time of 10h00 which would be 11h00. (c) Minibuses and Midibuses Public Transport is permitted to proceed to a pick-up point without loading passengers at 15h00 in order to start picking up at 16h00 to 20h00 to finish dropping off passengers at 21h00.

6) (a) During the lock -down period and unless determined by the Minister of Transport, private institutions or companies may make arrangements for the transportation of their workers who are rendering essentials services as listed in Annexure B of Disaster Management Act 2002, Amendment Regulations issues in terms of Section 27 (2) in line with the operating shifts, work time schedules as determined by the responsible head of operations, Manager, Head of the Department or a person with responsible authority within such institution; and (b) The operating shifts or work schedules or time table should be stamped and signed by such person with authority as contemplated in direction 6(6) (a) above."

Prohibition of standing in a public transport vehicle ( Gazette 43157, 26 March 2020 )

(1) No person is allowed to stand in a public transport vehicle.

Loading capacity of road public transport (sedan, minibus, midibus) (As amended by Gazette 43212 of 7 April 2020 )

(1) A public transport sedan is limited to carrying not more than 50% of its permissible passenger carrying capacity. (2) During the lockdown period, the following public transport vehicles must not carry more than 70% of their maximum licensed passenger seating capacity as follows: (a) A minibus licensed to carry 10 passengers, is limited to carry a maximum of 7 passengers; (b) a minibus licensed to carry 15 passengers, is limited to carry the maximum of 10 passengers; and (c) a midibus licensed to carry a maximum of 22 passengers, is limited to carry a maximum of 15 passengers. (3) All public transport operators must put measures in place to adhere to social distancing to curb the spread of COVID -19.

Buses and Taxis

Effective from 30 March 2020 until Friday, 3 April 2020, buses and taxis will be permitted to operate from 05:00 until 20:00 in order to cater to the transportation needs of society’s most vulnerable. ( https://www.gov.za/speeches/minister-fikile-mbalula-relaxas-hours-public-transport-vehicles-grant-beneficiaries-29-mar )

Cross-Border Road Transport

Prohibition to provide cross -border road transport ( Gazette 43158 of 26 March 2020 )

(1) Despite any permit issued in terms of the Act, no person may provide cross -border Road Passenger transport for the duration of lockdown. (2) Cross -Border freight movement will continue to and from our neighbouring countries.

Prohibition on cruise ships calling at any of the sea ports ( Gazette 43163 of 26 March 2020 )

(1) No crew changes are permitted in all commercial ports until further notice. (2) Cruise ships are prohibited from calling at any of the sea ports except the disembarkation of a returning South African crew and a permanent resident. (3) South African citizens and permanent residents are advised to refrain from use of this form of travel until further notice. (4) The loading and off -loading of cargo in and out of commercial ports is permitted.

Embarkation and disembarkation of persons at a South African sea port ( Gazette 43103 of 18 March 2020 )

(1) No passengers or crew changes are permitted in the designated ports until further notice. (2) Embarkation and disembarkation of passengers are suspended on all sea ports until further notice unless under the following circumstances: - (a) disembarkation of a returning South African citizen and a permanent resident. (b) embarkation of a departing foreign national. (c) emergency medical evacuation shall be managed utilising the existing Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre protocols. (3) South African citizens and permanent residents are advised to refrain from use of this form of travel until further notice. (4). The loading and off-loading of cargo in and out of all sea ports is permitted.

Prohibition of Passenger Vessels visiting South African Sea Ports ( Gazette 43211 of 7 April 2020 ) (1) All passenger vessels are prohibited from disembarking any passengers or crew at any of South African sea ports. (2) Passenger vessels will be allowed to call at any of South African sea ports only for the following purposes: (a) Disembarking South African crew; (b) Disembarking returning South African citizens and holders of permanent resident permit; (c) Replenishing fuel, stores and provisions. (3) The crew shall be allowed to disembark subject to mandatory quarantine laws as may be applicable. (4) All other cargo vessels will be allowed into all the sea ports for purposes of cargo works, replenishing fuel and provisions.

Repatriation of South African Seafarers ( Gazette 43211 of 7 April 2020 )

(5) (a) Repatriation of South African seafarers: (i) South African seafarers returning to South Africa via any of the sea ports will be allowed to disembark; (ii) South African seafarers returning to South Africa via any means other than a ship calling at a sea ports will be subjected to the provisions of the applicable laws that govern the respective mode of transportation they use; and (iii) All returning seafarers will be subjected to a quarantine period of up to 21 days as well as any measures put in place to prevent the spread of the virus.

Evacuation ( Gazette 43211 of 7 April 2020 )

6) (a) Evacuation of seafarers and passengers on board all ships along the South African coastline will be allowed in terms of Search and Rescue as well as the Merchant Shipping Act, 1957 (Act No. 57 of 1957) and subject to the following: (i) The evacuation must comply with the provisions of Medical Evacuations as contained in the South African Maritime and Aeronautical Search and Rescue Act, 2002 (Act No. 44 of 2002) ; (ii) The evacuation to be carried out in terms of the approved Standard Operating Procedures for evacuation as contained in the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Manual obtainable from the South African Maritime Safety Authority website; and (iii) All evacuated patients will be subjected to mandatory quarantine for a period of up to 21 days.

(7) (a) The following ships are allowed: (í) Cargo working ships; (ii) Passenger vessels allowed only for purposes of disembarking SA crew and returning SA citizens; (iii) Ships calling for refuelling and supplies.

(8) The following sea ports are open for purposes of handling cargo, refuelling and ship supplies: (i) Richards Bay; (ii) Durban; (iii) East London; (iv) Coega; (y) Port Elizabeth; (vi) Mosselbay; (vii) Cape Town; (viii) Saldanha Bay.

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Foreign Travel Advice South Africa

Table of Contents

Warnings and Insurance

Still current at: 3 February 2024 Updated: 4 January 2024 Latest update: Information on passport validity requirements (‘Entry Requirements’ page).

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice on travel risks to assist British nationals in making informed decisions. Learn more about FCDO travel advice.

ENTER YOUR DESTINATION FOR YOUR CUSTOM TRAVEL BRIEF

Before You Travel:

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide, as well as support for British nationals abroad, which includes:

Advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
Information for women, LGBT, and disabled travelers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. You can also sign up to receive email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel Insurance:

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and obtain appropriate travel insurance. Your insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities, and expenses in an emergency.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:

advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
information for women, LGBT and disabled travellers

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in South Africa set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact South Africa’s High Commission in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

Countries may restrict travel or bring in rules at short notice. Check with your travel company or airline for changes.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you may need to stay where you are until you test negative. You may also need to seek treatment there.

Visit TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre) for general COVID-19 advice for travellers .

Passport validity requirements

To avoid problems at immigration, your passport should:

be valid for at least 30 days beyond your intended date of exit from South Africa
have 2 blank pages

You can read more about South Africa’s Immigration Regulations on the Department of Home Affairs’ website .

Dual nationals

If you hold South African citizenship, you must use your South African passport to enter and exit the country. It is illegal for a South African citizen aged 18 or over to enter or leave the country on a foreign passport. For more information about South African passports, see the South Africa Department of Home Affairs .

Visa requirements

You do not need a visa to visit South Africa for tourism or business for up to 90 days.

Check the expiry date of your visa or entry stamp and ensure you do not overstay.

For more information on visas, contact the South African High Commission .

Travelling with children

There are special requirements for travelling to South Africa with children under 18, and for unaccompanied children entering South Africa. The South African Department of Home Affairs has more information .

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and vaccination certificates you may need on TravelHealthPro.

Customs rules

Check UK customs requirements before buying products to take back to the UK.

Taking money into South Africa

There are limits on how much currency you can bring into South Africa:

cash in South African rand – up to 25,000 rand per person
combinations of cash in other currencies – up to 10,000 US dollars (or equivalent)

If you’re taking more than this, you need to declare it when you enter South Africa.

You should also read the FCDO ’s overall travel advice .

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. You should remain vigilant at all times.

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad .

Terrorism in South Africa

Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in South Africa.

The main threat is from individuals who may have been inspired by terrorist groups, including Daesh, and who may carry out ‘lone actor’ attacks.

Attacks could be indiscriminate and could target public spaces and places visited by foreigners, such as:

tourist sites
shopping centres
high profile events
crowded places

Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.

Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories conflict

The current conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories has led to heightened tensions around the world. Terrorist groups, such as Al-Qaida and Daesh, have called on their supporters to carry out terrorist attacks in response to the conflict. The conflict could also motivate individuals to carry out attacks. Terrorist attacks could target Jewish or Muslim communities, or the interests of Israel and its allies. Attacks could also be indiscriminate and occur without warning.

Terrorist kidnap is a risk in South Africa.

British government policy is not to make substantive concessions to hostage takers. Paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can increase the risk of hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.

Political situation

There are regular protests and demonstrations that can turn violent. Violence could affect participants and bystanders. This can happen anywhere in South Africa at short notice.

Avoid areas where protests, demonstrations, or marches are taking place, especially in city centres and townships. Do not cross protester roadblocks. This could provoke a violent reaction. Monitor local and social media for updates, including local radio. Where possible stick to major routes and be aware that GPS services could divert you into less secure areas.

There have been recent incidents of attacks and violent crime on secondary roads travelling to and from Cape Town airport.

Violent crime

There is a high crime rate, including carjacking, ‘smash and grab’ attacks on vehicles house robbery, rape, sexual assault and murder. Violent crime can take place anywhere, including in tourist destinations and transport hubs. Most violent crimes occur in townships on the outskirts of major cities or in isolated areas. The threat is higher in central business districts of major cities and increases after dark.

There have been violent incidents involving tourists in some popular tourist locations. There are usually additional security personnel in the main tourist areas who can assist tourists. However, policing and security can be limited, so always remain vigilant.

Some criminals use dating apps to engage with potential victims including for financial gain or crimes of a sexual nature. If using a dating app, exercise caution and consider meeting in well-lit, public areas as well as informing friends/family or your plans.

To protect your personal safety:

do not have valuables on show
do not leave valuables in your car
take safe and reliable transport see public transport
stay alert and be wary of people who approach you
do not walk around after dark
travel with friends and make sure someone knows your plans
if you visit a township, only go with a responsible and reliable tour guide.

For more information on crime statistics, see the Statistics South Africa website .

Fraud and scams

Be alert to the risk of scams, including through business or employment opportunities, visa facilitation or offers of romance and friendships, including on dating apps.

Card skimming and confidence scams are widespread. There has been an increase in cybercrime and internet scamming. Do not meet up with or send money to someone you do not know.

Crime around ATMs is common. You should:

hide your PIN when withdrawing money or paying by card
be aware of fraudsters, such as strangers offering to “help” when your card doesn’t work, or who try to lure you to an ATM
change large sums of money in banks or secure shopping malls, not in busy public areas

If you use a visa agent, be wary of fraud. Always follow the correct visa application process through the Department of Home Affairs .

Criminals often use the details of embassies to carry out their fraud. These scams come in many forms and can result in great financial loss for the victims. Be cautious and check the authenticity of details before responding.

Criminals may pose as officials for financial or personal gain. If in doubt, ask to see their ID and move into a safe, public and open space. All police officers must carry their Appointment Certificate on them. If you have any concerns, call:

police on 10111
emergency services on 112

Criminal kidnaps

The threat of kidnap throughout South Africa is increasing. Kidnaps are generally for financial gain or motivated by criminality. In recent years, several foreign nationals, including British nationals, have been kidnapped. There have been reports of young children being kidnapped from shops, shopping malls and beaches.

British nationals can be seen as wealthier than locals and may be at particular risk of kidnap for financial gain.

Airport safety

Crime can happen in and around the airport, including robbery and theft of baggage and valuables. People have been followed from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg to their destinations and then robbed, often at gunpoint.

You should:

be careful in and around the airport
use main roads and highways when driving to and from airports
go through public areas quickly
avoid isolated areas
consider being met on arrival by your hotel or tour operator
go to your connecting flight quickly if in transit
consider vacuum-wrapping luggage if local regulations allow
keep valuables in your carry-on luggage

Travelling to and from Airports

You should be careful when following GPS navigation. You should avoid taking alternative routes away from main roads as this can often take you into less secure areas. Where you can, you should plan your trip in advance and verify your travel itinerary with a trusted local source.

In Cape Town people have been affected by attacks and violent crime on secondary roads near the airport. When travelling to and from Cape Town International Airport, you should:

stick to the M3 and N2 where possible
avoid taking routes that use the R300
stay on ‘airport approach road’ (exit 16 on the N2) when travelling to and from Cape Town International Airport, and avoid Borcherd’s Quarry Road leading to Nyanga.

Vehicle hijacking and robbery

Vehicle hijacking and robbery are common, particularly after dark and around traffic lights, junctions, petrol stations and driveways. It is common for thieves to break car windows and take valuable while cars are waiting at a junction.

Criminals sometimes force vehicles to stop so that they can carry out robberies. Tourist busses en-route to popular tourist sites have also been targeted.

Common tactics include throwing spikes (sometimes hidden in plastic bags), stones or glass in front of the vehicle. If a vehicle you are driving is targeted and it is safe to do so, drive as far as possible, or to a place of safety, before you stop.

Criminals may pose as police and use ‘blue lights’ on plain (often white) vehicles to stop motorists and steal the vehicle. If you are suspicious, do not stop and continue to a police station, petrol station or other place of safety to call the police.

Don’t pick up strangers or stop to help apparently distressed motorists. Continue driving and report the incident to the police. If you are involved in a hijacking, stay calm and surrender your valuables and your vehicle if asked. Do not resist.

There have been reports of long queues leading to armed robberies and express kidnappings close to the Lebombo border crossing with Mozambique at Nelspruit, Mpumalanga. These often take place after dark. Consider whether you can use a different crossing or only approach the border during daylight hours.

To reduce your risk:

check your route for any hazards or disruptions before you set off
use a GPS, but take care it does not divert you into less secure areas (generally smaller roads)
keep to main roads and park in well-lit areas
always take care and consider your surroundings
avoid being stationary inside your vehicle for long periods
check your car is locked when you leave it
keep your windows closed, especially when stopped at junctions
keep valuables out of sight, ideally kept in the boot of the vehicle
ask your hire car company for a vehicle with ‘smash and grab’ film installed on the windows
ensure you can see the tarmac and the tyres of the car in front of you when you stop your vehicle, giving you space to escape if you need to

There are ongoing nationwide power shortages with rolling power cuts. Scheduled regular power outages (‘loadshedding’) have become longer and can occur daily. Power cuts affect:

private accommodation
banks and ATMs
public lighting
traffic lights
security systems
petrol stations
water and communication services

There may be higher risk of crime where security systems or public lighting do not work.

Planning for power cuts

To check how it might affect you, you can:

ask your accommodation provider how they mitigate loadshedding
check planned power outages on the Eskom website or ‘loadshedding’ apps
follow the advice of local authorities if water restrictions, including a ban on drinking tap water, are in place

Preparing for power cuts

Prepare for long power cuts by:

writing down emergency contact numbers and carry a notepad and pen
having an emergency plan so you can let relatives and friends know where you are
carrying a power bank with extra charging cables for electronic devices you need
carrying portable lighting, for example a torch
taking enough medicine and first aid supplies
finding safe areas close by in case you need help, such as hotels, hospitals and police stations that may have power
reading our advice for if you are affected by a crisis

Laws and cultural differences

Personal id.

Always carry a copy of your passport photo page and the page with your visitors permit or residence permit for South Africa. South African officials may request identification and proof of residence at any time. Keep your passport itself in a hotel safe or another secure location and do not carry it with you, unless needed for official identification.

Legal and illegal drugs

It is illegal to buy or sell cannabis or to use it in public. Using cannabis for consumption in private is legal. Public and private use of cannabidiol oils (CBD oils) is also legal. The use, sale and purchase of all other drugs is illegal.

LGBT travellers

Homosexuality is legal, and it is illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation. See our advice for LGBT travellers .

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs

It is illegal to buy, sell, kill or capture any protected wild animal or trade any of its parts without a permit. Trading ivory or rhino horn is banned. Anyone caught buying or trafficking banned goods will be prosecuted.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

There have been a number of recent violent attacks and muggings on hikers and foreign tourists in Table Mountain National Park, including on Lion’s Head and Signal Hill.

Do not take unnecessary risks when participating in outdoor activities and adventure tourism. Be mindful that health and safety standards vary globally and may not be the same as you can expect in the UK.

Where possible, insist on a receiving a safety briefing.

Table Mountain National Park, including Lion’s Head and Signal Hill

There have been a number of recent violent attacks and muggings on hikers and foreign tourists in Table Mountain National Park, including on Lion’s Head and Signal Hill. Take care in quieter areas of the park, especially during early mornings and evenings. Stick to busy marked trails on popular days such as weekends, and do not hike alone.

Some Cape Town residents use social media platforms e.g. The Hikers Network , Meet up , Facebook to coordinate hikes in larger groups. The Hikers Network offer a free safety tracking service to all mountain users. See the South African Nationals Parks website for more on hiking on Table Mountain.

Hiking and walking

To stay safe whilst hiking, South African National Parks advise that you:

save emergency numbers before you hike
don’t hike alone
hike in groups of 4 or more
stick to busy marked trails on popular days (such as weekends)
plan your route and allow enough time
carry water, food and bring a fully charged phone
dress appropriately and be prepared for changes in weather
tell someone your route and when you expect to return

Avoid isolated beaches and picnic spots. Do not walk alone in remote areas or on beaches when deserted, especially after dark.

Kruger National Park

After a violent attack that killed a tourist, South Africa National Parks (SANParks) advise against using the Numbi gate entrance to Kruger National Park. There have been protests and violent incidents on the R538 road leading to the gate.

Follow SANParks advice on using alternative entrances. If you stay outside the park, contact your lodge in advance to find out if any disruptions will affect your trip. Get up-to-date SANParks news on the park website.

Beach safety

Beach conditions and local safety measures vary. Every year, many people drown due to strong sea currents. You should ask for a life-jacket if you decide to participate in water sports.

On beaches where there is no equipment or warning signs, speak to local people who know the conditions. If in doubt, do not enter the water.

On busier tourist beaches, only swim between the red and yellow flags, read the warning signs and follow instructions from lifeguards. Learn more about rip currents on the National Sea Rescue Institute’s (NSRI) website .

In an emergency, call:

112 - emergency services
+27 87 094 9774 - NSRI emergency line

Transport risks

Road travel, e-hailing services (like uber) and taxis.

E-hailing service scams do occur in major cities. Make sure you use a reliable service, book the service in the app and check the vehicle registration and identity before entering the vehicle. Do not wait in the street and keep your phone or valuables out of sight. When inside the vehicle, ask the driver to close rear windows and lock doors if you cannot do so yourself. At airports, be wary of unregulated drivers posing as Uber or other e-hailing service drivers. If you order an e-hailing service, go to the designated area to wait.

Tension between e-hailing service drivers and metered taxi drivers can lead to armed violence, particularly around Gautrain stations and airports. Strikes and protests by e-hailing service drivers are also known to take place with some attacks against drivers not seen to be participating. Passengers have been harassed or caught up in violence. High-risk areas are generally flagged in the relevant app, but exercise caution when using e-hailing services. During times of strike action find alternative reliable private transportation.

Driving standards and road conditions

Driving standards vary in South Africa. Fatal road accidents are common, particularly around weekends and major public holidays.

On highways, overtaking or undertaking can occur in any lane including the hard shoulder. On single-lane roads, the hard shoulder is also sometimes used by trucks and slower vehicles to allow faster vehicles to overtake. At most intersections, including 4-way stops and where traffic lights are out of service due to power outages, the first vehicle to arrive generally has priority. On larger roundabouts, you should give way to the right, although this rule is often ignored. Small roundabouts (called circles) are treated the same as a 4-way stop.

Road conditions are mostly very good. Some roads in remote areas are less well maintained and may have potholes. If you are travelling to a lodge in a remote area, check road conditions with the lodge management as a car with good ground clearance may be required. Drive cautiously, obey speed limits and avoid unfamiliar areas at night. To avoid running out of fuel, keep fuel levels above half a tank. Learn more about road safety awareness on the Arrive Alive website .

If you rent a car, save the emergency roadside assistance numbers. Download an offline map if you do not have access to a GPS.

Advice for travelling to and from airports can be found in the Crime section under ‘Travelling to and from airports’.

Driving licences in South Africa

You can drive in South Africa with a valid UK photocard driving licence for up to 12 months. If you have a paper licence, you should also get an international driving permit (IDP) before you travel.

If you become a permanent resident, exchange your UK licence for a local licence within 12 months of getting your residency. See our Living in South Africa guide for more information.

Public transport

These transport options are generally safe and reliable:

‘Gautrain’ train between Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport. Do not walk to or from Gautrain stations after dark
MyCiTi bus in Cape Town (central business district and Atlantic Seaboard). Do not travel into townships by MyCiTi bus. There have been violent attacks reported in Khayelitsha
airport shuttle buses through internationally recognised hotels.
internationally recognised e-hailing apps where bookings are confirmed through the app

Some transport services can be unreliable and passengers have been subject to theft and violence. These include:

minibus taxis
Metrorail train services
long-distance public train and coach services

Land border crossings

South Africa shares a border with Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and Botswana. Be careful when crossing land borders and avoid crossing at night. Border queues can be a target for crime. Protests can happen at some border crossings, particularly with Mozambique .

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Heavy rainfall often leads to widespread flooding. Flooding can take place anywhere and at any time of year. Always check local weather reports and local news for any hazards before you start your journey. The South African Weather Service provides up to date information on weather alerts and conditions.

Wildfires can occur in both rural and urban areas during periods of hot and dry weather. If you encounter a wildfire, move to a safe location away from vegetation and smoke. If you are inside a building or a car, close all vents and windows, if it is safe to remain in place.

There is no healthcare agreement between the United Kingdom and South Africa.

Before you travel check that:

you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation
your destination can provide the healthcare you may need

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Dial 112 (from a mobile) or 10177 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance or medical assistance company promptly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccinations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip check:

the latest information on health risks and find out what vaccinations you need for South Africa on TravelHealthPro
where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

Altitude sickness is a risk in parts of South Africa, including Johannesburg. More information about altitude sickness is available from TravelHealthPro (from the UK’s National Travel Health Network and Centre).

HIV is a risk in South Africa. Take normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. There is more information on sexually transmitted infection risk and prevention for travellers on TravelHealthPro .

Cholera outbreak

Sporadic outbreaks of cholera can take place. See information on cholera from TravelHealthPro.

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

If you take regular medication, make sure you can get repeat prescriptions if needed. Most prescription medicines in the UK need a prescription (‘script’) from a local doctor in South Africa. The doctor may ask you to get an electronic prescription from your medical practitioner in the UK. Pharmacies are readily accessible across the country. Some have medical practitioners on site who can write prescriptions.

TravelHealthPro explains best practice when travelling with medicines .

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad .

Healthcare facilities in South Africa

Public medical care varies across South Africa. Standards of treatment and hygiene may not be the same as in the UK.

South Africa has a very high standard of private medical care. Private healthcare can be expensive, so make sure you have the right travel health insurance and funds to cover the cost of medical treatment abroad and repatriation if needed.

Most medical practitioners speak English, particularly in major cities and tourist areas. See our list of medical providers in South Africa .

Rehabilitation centres for drug or alcohol addiction

Private rehabilitation centres are widely accessible to foreigners. The British High Commission does not usually contact or visit people who have travelled specifically for medical treatment. If you do choose to attend a rehabilitation centre, you should:

do extensive research in advance and choose a reputable facility that is registered with the South African Department of Social Development or the Western Cape’s Substance Use Disorder Service
make sure you get the right visa for your stay
get the right travel insurance, including medical cover suitable for a rehabilitation stay and your particular circumstances

More information on medical tourism is available from TravelHealthPro .

Organise a contingency plan in case:

you relapse abroad
treatment is unsuccessful
you need unplanned repatriation to the UK (this may need to include access to extra funds)

More information on the impact of travel and substance use is available from the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers .

FCDO has a list of medical providers in South Africa .

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also guidance on TravelHealthPro (from the National Travel Health Network and Centre).

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in South Africa

All emergencies from mobiles: 112

Ambulance and fire: 10177

Police: 10111

National Sea and Rescue Institute: 112 or +27 87 094 9774

Search and Rescue: 10177 or 10111

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including:

where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO provides guidance on how to help yourself stay safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

finding English-speaking lawyers , funeral directors and translators and interpreters in South Africa
dealing with a death in South Africa
being arrested in South Africa
getting help if you’re a victim of crime
what to do if you’re in hospital
if you are affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack

Find more support for British nationals abroad .

Contacting FCDO

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.

Help abroad in an emergency

If you are abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission .

You can also contact FCDO online .

FCDO in London

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)

Find out about call charges

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

South Africa travel advice

Latest updates: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)

Last updated: May 6, 2024 10:24 ET

be prepared for extended power outages
make sure you always have a complete emergency kit on hand, including several flashlights
always carry a cell phone, power banks, chargers and a list of emergency numbers handy
keep a sufficient supply of water, food, medication and fuel on hand for several days
keep your travel documents up-to-date
monitor local media
follow the instructions of local authorities

Useful links

List of planned blackouts - Eskom, South African electricity public utility
Get Prepared - basic emergency kit

Violent crime

South Africa has a very high level of crime. Crime is the primary security threat to travellers.

Violent crimes, including rape and murder, occur frequently and have involved foreigners.

Muggings, armed assaults and theft are also frequent, often occurring in areas that are popular among tourists. Carjackings, robbery and assault also occur.

Armed robberies at shopping malls occur. To minimize the risk of personal assault if confronted by an armed individual:

immediately comply
avoid making sudden movements
avoid resisting or antagonizing the assailants
avoid eye contact with your assailant

Crime significantly increases after dark in major city centres and townships. After dark, avoid the areas of:

Hillbrow and Yeoville in Johannesburg
Sunnyside in Pretoria
the beachfront and Victoria wharf in Durban
Cape Town downtown hotels to the waterfront

Crimes of opportunity

There is a high risk of pickpocketing. You should not carry your wallet in your back pocket.

Do not show signs of affluence, display money or carry valuables such as laptop computers or cameras.

When at restaurants or bars, do not leave your bag under your chair or table or hung over the back of a chair; keep it on your lap.

Ensure that all your bags’ zippers, straps and fasteners are closed and secure, and be aware of people behind and around you.

Criminals are known to target people who appear distracted and are not paying attention to their immediate surroundings.

If you believe that you are being followed, go directly to a police station.

Crime in and around airports

Passengers have been followed upon arrival at airports and then robbed either on their way to or once they arrived at their final destination. There are also reports of theft from checked luggage.

Some areas around Cape Town International Airport are less secure. There are reports of an increased risk of attack on secondary roads near the airport.

When travelling to and from an airport:

stay on highways and main roads
avoid shortcuts
if you are using a GPS, make sure that the itinerary avoid townships and secondary roads
plan your trip in advance and verify your travel itinerary with a trusted local source
consider arranging an airport transfer

On the road

Be vigilant at vulnerable points such as:

traffic lights
yield signs
highway off-ramps

Smash and grab incidents are frequent. This is when car windows are broken and valuables such as handbags are taken while cars are waiting at junctions.

Park in well-lit areas
Do not pick up strangers
Ensure that vehicle doors are locked and windows are closed at all times

Hotel theft

Theft from hotel rooms and guest houses is common. Never leave your windows or doors open or unlocked, even when you are present.

Check the level of security at guest houses, hotels, lodges, backpacker lodges or any accommodation before making bookings
Don’t leave luggage and valuables unattended; place them in safekeeping facilities
Don’t open the door to anyone without taking necessary precautions. If someone claims to be a member of staff, verify with the reception prior to opening the door

Police officer impersonation

Criminals may pose as police officers to extort or rob tourists. There are reports that criminals use fake IDs and flashing blue lights to stop cars with the intent to rob the passengers or steal the vehicle.

If you face this situation:

do not stop your vehicle
put on your hazard lights and continue to the nearest police station or secure location

There is a threat of kidnapping across South Africa. Foreign nationals have been kidnapped in the past. Kidnappings are generally for financial gain or motivated by criminality.

Scammers could kidnap you to extort money from your loved ones in exchange for your release.

Be wary of online romance, employment and money scams
Never accept an invitation to travel to an unfamiliar location
If you think you've been scammed, do not travel overseas to get your money back

Demonstrations

Demonstrations can occur anywhere across the country and sometimes on short notice. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
Follow the instructions of local authorities
Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Cases of attempted fraud are frequently reported in South Africa. Do not give personal or financial account information to anyone.

Don’t attempt to use ATMs that appear damaged or defective, or are in isolated or poorly lit areas. Don’t accept any offer of assistance with your transaction. If suspicious at any time, cancel your transaction and use another ATM.

Pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
Use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
Avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
Cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
Check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Overseas fraud

Reserves and hiking trails

There have been attacks on hikers and tourists at reserves, hiking trails, including Table Mountain, Lions’ Head, Signal Hill and other tourist attractions and their parking lots.

Avoid the Numbi Gate entrance to the Kruger National Park, as well as the R538 road leading to it due to an increase in criminal activity in the area, including the murder of a foreign national in October 2022.

Hike in groups and take all appropriate precautions
Avoid isolated picnic areas and beaches
Don’t stop at deserted roadside resting places on national roads

Spiked food and drink

There have been incidents of food or drink being drugged and tourists robbed when unconscious.

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

There is a threat of terrorism. Terrorist attacks could occur at any time. Individuals who may be inspired by terrorist groups may carry out “lone actor” attacks targeting public places, including where foreigners gather.

Targets could include:

government buildings, including schools
places of worship
airports and other transportation hubs and networks
public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreigners

South African authorities have successfully disrupted planned attacks and made arrests related to terrorism offences. Always be aware of your surroundings when in public places.

Regional unrest

Xenophobic attacks, primarily targeting refugees or immigrants from other African nations, related demonstrations, looting and outbreaks of violence occur. This type of unrest could occur in any region of the country and with little warning.

Avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities at all times.

Townships and rural areas

Avoid townships and informal settlements if you are unfamiliar with them, except when travelling with organized tours provided by a reputable company or in association with an experienced local organization.

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife viewing poses risks, particularly on foot or at close range. Be aware of the threat of monkeys and baboons overwhelming sightseers in their search for food. They are known to get very aggressive.

Always maintain a safe distance when observing wildlife
Only exit a vehicle when a professional guide or warden says it’s safe to do so
Only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators
Closely follow park regulations and wardens’ advice

Water activities

Coastal waters have unpredictable wave and currents patterns, which can be dangerous. Shark attacks have been reported in several areas, including in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape.

Follow the advice and warnings of local authorities
Be cautious when swimming in lakes and rivers because of the risk posed by wildlife

Water safety abroad

Telecommunications

Cellular phone reception is generally good in major towns and cities but can be intermittent in rural areas. Extended periods of rolling blackouts are impacting internet connectivity and cell phone networks.

Always carry a cellular phone in the event of an emergency. If using your own phone, ensure that it has international/roaming capability for use while in South Africa.

Road safety

Fatal road accidents are common in South Africa. Accidents occur especially in wet conditions, as roads can be very slippery. Traffic lights are frequently out of order. GPS navigation systems may suggest the most direct route but not the safest.

Observe the recommended following distances
Avoid undertaking overland travel after dark
Treat all intersections with malfunctioning traffic lights as a four-way stop
Verify your travel itinerary with a trusted local source, such as your hotel, your travel agent or local police, before driving

Road conditions

Driving can be dangerous due to:

insufficient lighting
pedestrians crossing major highways
wild animals and stray livestock on the road

Driving habits

Drivers do not always respect traffic laws, especially at night. Drivers often drive at excess speed and ignore traffic signs. Drinking and driving is common.

Drivers are often aggressive toward pedestrians and fail to yield the right of way even on marked crosswalks.

Travel on foot is inadvisable in most areas. If walking is unavoidable, use only brightly lit, busy streets in popular tourist areas and maintain awareness of your surroundings.

If you choose to drive in South Africa:

always drive defensively
plan your trip in advance, especially if you are visiting a rural area
avoid travelling after dark
choose a vehicle with a robust central locking system, lockable fuel tank cap and vehicle alarm
use a reliable rental company offering 24-hour emergency service and ensure that you have the contact details for the service

Public transportation

Avoid using public transportation.

Tourists have been mugged and assaulted in and around bus stations. Avoid the central bus station in Johannesburg.

Train services are slow and several serious accidents in recent years have raised concerns over safety standards.

Violent attacks have occurred on commuter and metro trains between Johannesburg and Pretoria, as well as on commuter trains in Cape Town. Don’t travel by train, especially second or third class.

The Gautrain between O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Pretoria, as well as the Blue Train and Rovos Rail, are, however, safe for tourists.

Taxis cannot be hailed in the street. Ask your hotel to arrange a taxi and ensure that you prearrange transport for your return journey.

Sit in the rear of the vehicle and keep windows up and doors locked at all times. Keep valuables out of sight and place bags by your feet. Negotiate the fare with the driver in advance. Avoid using minibuses and unlicensed taxis.

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from South African authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

You may also be denied boarding at the point of departure if you don’t have enough blank pages for the visa. If you plan to visit neighbouring countries and return to South Africa, ensure that there are sufficient visa pages in your passport for those countries’ visas and those of South Africa.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Changing or extending your visa

Some foreigners travelling to South Africa have not gone through the correct channels to obtain, change or extend their relevant visas. This has resulted in arrest and detention due to fraudulently issued visas.

While in South Africa, you must go through regional or district offices of the South African Department of Home Affairs for information on visa requirements and issuance.

Regional travel

If you leave and re-enter South Africa, even for a short time, you will not automatically be given an additional 90-day visitor’s visa. An immigration official can deny you re-entry into South Africa. The immigration officer can also allow you to enter for a limited time only.

If you wish to extend your stay, contact the South African Department of Home Affairs 60 days before your visitor’s visa expires.

South African Department of Home Affairs contact information

Work or study

If you intend to work or study in South Africa, you must apply for the relevant visas prior to your arrival; otherwise, you risk being refused entry and may be returned to your point of origin. You cannot change the type of visa once in South Africa.

Other entry requirements

You must be in possession of a return or an onward ticket. Without one, you may be required to deposit the equivalent of a fare home with customs. The money will be refunded after departure from South Africa.

Residence permit

If you reside in South Africa, you must have valid residence permit in your passport each time you enter and leave the country.

Dual citizenship

Dual citizens must enter or depart South Africa using their South African passport only.

For further information on dual citizenship, contact the High Commission for the Republic of South Africa in Ottawa.

Children and travel

Minors traveling to and from South Africa must have a valid passport and may be subject to additional requirements.

You must produce a long form birth certificate when travelling with children under the age of 18 to neighbouring countries. The long form birth certificate must be in English or translated into English.

Contact the nearest South African mission abroad or visit the South African Department of Home Affairs website, before travelling, to verify the latest requirements.

Entry regulations when travelling with children - South African Department of Home Affairs
Travelling with children

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary.

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a country where yellow fever occurs.

Recommendation

Vaccination is not recommended.
Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
Contact a designated Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus. Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.

The flu occurs worldwide.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to April.
In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and October.
In the tropics, there is flu activity year round.

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes. There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination.

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving. Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times: • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin. • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area. • Wear permethrin-treated clothing. If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living.

In this destination, rabies is commonly carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. In this destination, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals).

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs.

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.

There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this destination. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by tiny worms (blood flukes) which can be found in freshwater (lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands). The worms can break the skin, and their eggs can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, or urinary problems. Schistosomiasis mostly affects underdeveloped and r ural communities, particularly agricultural and fishing communities.

Most travellers are at low risk. Travellers should avoid contact with untreated freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and ponds (e.g., swimming, bathing, wading, ingesting). There is no vaccine or medication available to prevent infection.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
Minimize exposure to insects
Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country. The risk may vary between regions of a country. Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is a viral disease that can cause fever, pain and bleeding under the skin. In some cases, it can be fatal. It spreads to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, or from the bite of an infected tick. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from tick bites and avoid animals, particularly livestock. There is no vaccine available for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

Rift Valley fever is a viral disease that can cause severe flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can be fatal. It is spread to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, from the bite of an infected mosquito, or eating or drinking unpasteurized dairy. Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from insect bites and avoid animals, particularly livestock, and unpasteurized dairy. There is no vaccine available for Rift Valley fever.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

washing your hands often
avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that attacks and impairs the immune system, resulting in a chronic, progressive illness known as AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome).

High risk activities include anything which puts you in contact with blood or body fluids, such as unprotected sex and exposure to unsterilized needles for medications or other substances (for example, steroids and drugs), tattooing, body-piercing or acupuncture.

Medical services and facilities

Medical facilities and supplies are widely available in large cities but can be expensive. Medical facilities are limited in remote areas.

Public and private health facilities require an up-front cash deposit for services, guarantee of payment or confirmation of medical insurance before commencing treatment.

Air evacuation may be the only option when faced with a medical emergency in remote areas.

Decompression chambers are available in many hospitals.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Penalties for using, importing or exporting drugs are severe and may include lengthy imprisonment.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

You may not import or take in-transit any firearm or ammunition without a temporary export and import or in-transit permit issued by the South African Police Service.

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in South Africa.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of South Africa, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and South Africa.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in South Africa, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the South African court.

If you are in this situation:

act as quickly as you can
contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
consult a lawyer in Canada and in South Africa to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Traffic drives on the left.

You may use your valid Canadian provincial driver’s licence in South Africa, however, an international driving permit (IDP) is strongly recommended.

It is extremely difficult to obtain car insurance for car rentals or to purchase a car without an IDP. Insurance companies and rental car agencies often require proof of a South African driver’s licence or an IDP to honour an insurance claim, even when such proof was not requested at the time the policy was secured. An IDP must be obtained in Canada before travelling to South Africa, as it cannot be obtained locally.

If your licence is in French, it is advisable to obtain a translation into English and carry it with you.

Foreigners driving a rental car across any border into neighbouring countries must obtain a permit from the Cross-border Road Transport Agency prior to arriving at the border crossing. Failure to do so may lead to arrest and/or a fine.

It is illegal to carry gasoline in portable containers.

Obtain a permit - Cross-border Road Transport Agency
International Driving Permit

The currency is the South African rand (ZAR).

Canadian currency can be easily exchanged at major banks and foreign exchange counters. A passport and additional identification is required when undertaking foreign exchange transactions.

Foreigners are permitted to enter South Africa carrying a maximum of ZAR100,000, or US$10,000 or its equivalent in foreign currencies. Customs forms are not required to be completed, but random customs checks are conducted.

Rain Storms

The climate varies from region to region. Storms and flooding can occur throughout the country and at various times of the year. Flash storms can occur in Gauteng and North West provinces from November to April. There are heavy rains along the south coast from June to September and the Western Cape receives heavy rainfall between May and September. Dirt roads can become hazardous during these periods. After heavy rains, do not attempt to cross low-lying river bridges by car or on foot, as there have been fatalities linked to people being washed down river. Keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

Veld (bush) fires are common during dry seasons. They are very unpredictable and extremely dangerous. They can spread very quickly and travel at speeds of 60 km/h or more, due to high winds. Stay clear of active fires and always verify local conditions with relevant authorities before going on bush walks, particularly during the dry seasons.

The Western Cape Province, including Cape Town, can experience periods of prolonged drought. Local authorities may impose water use restrictions. You could be fined if you do not comply with these restrictions.

Useful links:

Information on water restrictions – City of Cape Town
Water restrictions explained –City of Cape Town

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

police: 10111 or 10112 from a cellular telephone
medical assistance: 10177
firefighters: 10111 or 10112 from a cellular telephone

Consular assistance

South Africa, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia

For emergency consular assistance, call the High Commission of Canada in South Africa, in Pretoria, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Welcome to the Department of International Relations & Cooperation

Advice for South African citizens travelling abroad

When travelling abroad South Africans should take time to learn about the financial, political, cultural and economic environment of their intended destination. Learn at least a few key phrases in the host country’s language. Even a modest command of the local language will go a long way. When travelling abroad the laws of the foreign country apply to everybody. South Africans are not exempt from the law of the host country and cannot expect special treatment.

Find out about the destination, paying particular attention to issues of personal security, safety, health, immigration, customs and import regulations.

South Africans are encouraged to have the contact details of the nearest South African Representative office and to carry contact details of their next of kin at all times.

A combination of your South African passport and RSA identity document are the best proof of your South African citizenship. Anyone who intends travelling abroad should have a valid passport. If you do not have a passport, apply for it well in advance at all regional offices of the Department of Home Affairs.

Passport application forms are available at all regional offices of the Department of Home Affairs countrywide and at South African Representative abroad. If your passport is due to expire within the next six months or has less than two blank pages, check with the foreign embassy or consulate of the country of your intended destination in South Africa for its rules and restrictions regarding passport validity and expiry.

If you have any questions about passports, you can either contact the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria at telephone +27 12 395 4307 (from abroad) or 0800 60 11 90 within South Africa or the Home Affairs Contact Centre via e-mail on [email protected] , or any regional office of the Department of Home Affairs.

Keep certified copies of your passport (including the visa pages) with you for identification purposes. Do not keep the passport and the copies in the same place. An additional precaution is to leave a copy with a relative or friend at home.

If your passport is lost or stolen while you are travelling abroad, report the loss/theft immediately to the local law enforcement agency (e.g. police station). Take a copy of the police report to the nearest South African High Commission, Embassy or Consulate-General where you will apply for an emergency travel document. There is a fee attached to the application for an emergency travel document.

Please note that all passport applications are forwarded to the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa for processing and issuance of new passports. The waiting period to receive a new passport abroad can be several months. In emergency situations the South African Diplomatic or Consular Mission is in a position to issue you with an Emergency Travel Certificate, which will allow you only to travel directly back to South Africa.

In order to apply for a new Passport, or an Emergency Travel Certificate, you must:

Complete an application form.
Be finger-printed.
Produce written evidence of your South African citizenship (e.g. a birth certificate, identity document, certified copy of passport, driver’s license). Where available.
Provide a copy of the police report. (in the event of loss or theft)
Present two photographs.
Pay the prescribed fee (as determined by the Department of Home Affairs).

A South African passport remains the property of the Government of South Africa and may only be used by the person to whom it is issued. Selling your passport or permitting any other individual or agency to use it may lead to criminal prosecution and is considered sufficient cause to revoke the passport and refuse future passport services. In cases where employers insist to “safe keep” passports, please report it immediately to the nearest South African Diplomatic/Consular office.

Please note : It is the responsibility of travellers to ensure that they are in possession of the required valid passports and other required documents, issued by the Department of Home Affairs, before departure . As a foreigner in a foreign country, you should always have your South African Passport (with the required visa/study/work/residence permit) with you.

The DIRCO will not intervene on behalf of travellers before their departure from South Africa, on matters relating to the issuance of new RSA passports, the renewal of it or the issuance of ID, Birth-, Unabridged birth-, marriage certificates, or any other matter that falls within the mandate of the functions of the Department of Home Affairs.

A visa or permit is your permission to travel to, transit or remain in a foreign country. A visa or permit does not, however, guarantee entry into the foreign country, as the decision to grant entry remains the decision of the immigration officials of the foreign country .

South African passport holders enjoy visa exemptions for certain countries. This means that South Africans can travel, usually for holiday or business purposes , to such countries without a visa for a pre-determined time. South Africans are strongly advised against using such visa exemption to travel to a foreign country with the real intention to work/study/reside there.

A work/study/residence permit must be applied for prior to travelling to that country.

South Africans must always check with the travel agent and/or the Foreign Representative in South Africa of the country you intend to travel to, whether a visa is required or not. Since requirements can change from time to time it is best to double check the requirements before each trip.

If you do not correctly comply with visa or permit requirements or overstay on your visa or permit you will be subject to any or all of the following: criminal prosecution, imprisonment, deportation and/or being blacklisted.

Please note: DIRCO will not obtain visas- work- study- residence permits on behalf of prospective travellers.

It is strongly recommended that you take out travel insurance before travelling abroad. Travel insurance should cover hospitalisation and related medical costs as well as a possible emergency evacuation. Depending on your age, physical condition and destination you should consider provision in the event of death. Your travel agent or bank will be able to advise you.

Medical costs abroad can be expensive compared to South Africa. In some instances medical treatment can be withheld by the foreign country if a person has no proof of funds or travel insurance.

Travel insurance that cover expenses in the event of death abroad will ensure that family and friends are not burdened with the costs for the preparation and transportation of mortal remains to South Africa. Remember to confirm the details of your coverage with your insurer as pre-existing medical conditions may require additional cover.

It is important to cover all the members of the travelling party adequately.

Airlines may overbook flights during peak season. Therefore, travellers are advised to arrive early for check in.

Prospective Prospective travellers who intend driving abroad must apply for an international driving permit (IDP). These are issued by the Automobile Association of South Africa . Always ensure that you have both your original driver’s licence as well as your IDP with you and keep copies (preferably certified copies) separate from the originals.

South African drivers’ licences are recognised in SADC countries (Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe). It is recommended that a letter of verification be obtained from the South African Department of Transport .

When travelling by road to a neighbouring country always take the original vehicle registration documents with plus a certified copy. Establish before the journey where the temporary import permit for the vehicle/trailer is obtained. The temporary import permit must be valid for the full duration of your stay in the country.

Check with your vehicle insurer that the vehicle will be covered in the country you travel to (have this confirmed in writing) and that the 3rd party insurance is in order. Some countries have specific regulations and required stickers for taking your vehicle across the border. For more information on cross border and sticker requirements, you may contact the Automobile Association of South Africa . (Fax: +27 (086) 524 2251 / E-mail: [email protected] ).

It is illegal to take any firearms, ammunition and, in some instances, hunting knives into a country without the required permits. In the event that you wish to carry such items it is recommended that you contact the resident mission prior to travelling.

Make timeous enquiries regarding the health risks in the country/countries you intend travelling to.

The prescribed immunisations and/or medication can prevent serious long-term and fatal diseases.

It is suggested that the traveller consult with his/her Doctor prior to travelling if the traveller has a history of health challenges.

Travellers are further advised to consult with the Department of Health to obtain updates on specific health situations e,g refer to the DOH website on travelling health risks and vaccination requirements.

For more information on international health requirements contact the Department of Health, Environmental Health Directorate, Private Bag X828, PRETORIA. 0001; Tel: 012 395 8522 / 8518 or go to www.doh.gov.za / www.who.int

Suggestion: When travelling ensure that all your personal belongings are safeguarded by yourself.

Inform yourself thoroughly, prior to your trip, of the safety risks in the country/countries you intend to visit.

As we are well aware, we are exposed to crime everywhere. Basic precautionary measures will contribute to ensuring your safety, for example:

Do not attract attention to yourself with expensive jewellery and clothing.
Take care when you pay for something – avoid flashing all your cash.
Get to know the foreign currency and use a note that requires the smallest amount of change to be returned to you.
When travelling by public transport have the correct amount of cash at hand, take care when you hand over the money and keep your eye on it.
If secure, keep your passport, travellers’ cheques and extra cash in the hotel safe. Alternatively wear it in a money belt under your clothing and keep only the money you intend using in your pocket/handbag/wallet.
Know where you are going. Keep a map with you and consult it regularly. Make sure that you have the contact details of where you are staying on your person at all times.
Obtain information from the hotel in which you are staying on security related precautions in the area.
Remember that when you are travelling to another country you, unknowingly, stand out making you an easy target for criminals.
Keep certified copy of your passport, visa as well as the South African Representatives contact details with you.

You should ideally avoid countries experiencing war and/or civil/political unrest . If the trip is unavoidable, ensure that you prepare yourself by having all the necessary information and contact details of your hosts and South African Representatives in the country of your destination.

Do not become involved in activities that may be, or are, illegal. Please remember, once you leave South Africa, the rights enjoyed under the South African Constitution and laws cannot be guaranteed or enforced in the countries you intend to visit. If arrested abroad, the South African Government cannot intervene to secure your release from prison.

Although Government cannot secure your release, Government is in a position to intercede with local authorities to seek to ensure that your rights, under the laws of the arresting country, are fully observed and that the minimum standards for treatments of prisoners are applied.

Important Notice:

Possession or smuggling of drugs is a criminal offence in almost all countries. Penalties are harsh and can lead to a lifetime imprisonment or even the death penalty. Do not accept or carry parcels, baggage or any items that you have not packed personally. Do not offer to collect parcels, letters, documents, etc. on behalf of other persons. Attempting to smuggle drugs is not worth the payment that you may be offered.
South Africans who intend to work abroad, especially in war stricken countries like Iraq, should remember that they may find themselves in extremely dangerous situations. It is advisable to register yourself at the nearest South African Representative office.
Should your passport be damaged in any way, it is advisable to obtain a new passport before travelling.
Always keep a certified copy of your passport and visa on your person while on holiday.
To cater for unforeseen emergencies ensure that a friend or relative is in possession of your travel plan, contact details, a copy of your passport, visa pages as well as an identity document.
Obtain as much information as possible about your destination.
Take out sufficient travel insurance to cover hospital treatment, medical evacuation and even death. Pre-existing conditions and the risk associated with your destination or the activities you plan to partake in can influence the travel insurance cover you need.
Register your trip prior to leaving South Africa or whilst abroad.
Double-check whether you require a visa or permit for the country or countries you are visiting or transiting.
Keep a copy of your passport information page, relevant visas, travel insurance, travellers’ cheques and credit card with you but not with the originals. Leave a copy in an envelope with a friend, relative or a work colleague.
Make sure that you are familiar with the health risks of the country or countries you intend visiting. Get all the recommended vaccinations and/or medication before travelling. If you need to travel with medication ensure that it meets the requirements of your destination(s). Take your prescription along.
Ensure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months with enough blank pages. Additional passport photographs are very useful should you need a temporary passport or emergency travel certificate.
Make sure that your family, friends or colleagues know what your movements will be while away. Leave a detailed itinerary with them. Contact them regularly by e-mail, a phone call or SMS.
Remember if you are a dual national you must leave and enter South Africa on your South African passport.
Always act within the prescripts of the law.

Working abroad should always be a beneficial experience for both the employee and employer.”

Working abroad can be an exciting and rewarding experience. It may be an opportunity to improve your economic situation, gain valuable work experience, and travel to new and interesting places. However, accepting a job offer without making adequate preparations and taking precautions can put a migrant worker in a vulnerable position, and optimistic migrant workers may find themselves in the hands of unscrupulous employers or human traffickers.

Human traffickers can be very good at identifying and recruiting potential victims. They can make a job offer appear very enticing and realistic.

Before you leave home:

Ensure the job offer is genuine

Check to see that the recruitment agency is registered with the local Chamber of Commerce and, if possible, contact the company offering the job on a landline to confirm that they are recruiting, and that the conditions of employment are those promised by the recruitment agency. Offers from third parties, disreputable recruitment agencies, or people who approach you on the street should be treated with caution. You may also contact the local embassy of the country of destination to confirm that the company is reputable, and is permitted by law to employ foreign nationals in the manner promised. Beware of job offers that sound too good to be true and/or which offer to cover all of your expenses, including airfare and accommodation, up-front.

Obtain the correct working permit for the country of destination

Ensure that you are travelling with the correct and legal documentation to work in the country of destination. Most countries will require you to apply for a working visa if you intend to work in the country. The application for the visa must be filled out and signed by you, the employee, and not by the agency. Be suspicious if the recruitment agency attempts to convince you that a visitor’s or tourist visa is sufficient for you to work legally in the country in which you wish to find employment. This is very rarely the case. If you are unsure, you can contact the Embassy of the country to which you hope to travel to and/or check the website of the foreign government, which may provide travel information to prospective migrant workers.

Sign a contract before you leave home

The contract should be in a language you can read, and stipulate your wages and deductions, your duties, working hours and breaks, benefits, leave, and procedures for resignation or termination. Be careful of accepting offers where you are required to pay back money to the employer if you do not fulfil the full term of the contract. The contract should clearly stipulate any amount paid for up-front by the prospective employer (for example, the cost of your airfare) and the conditions under which you will be required to repay this sum. Have an independent attorney examine the contract before you sign. Both you and the employer must sign the contract, and you should each be in possession of a copy of the contract.

Have contacts for people/organisations that can provide assistance

Before leaving home, make sure you have the contact details for your country’s Embassy or High Commission or Consulate-General in the country in which you wish to find employment. It is also advisable to notify your embassy that you are in the country and give them your address and contact details. Have a list of emergency contact details in the country you are going to: e.g. migrant worker organizations, churches and shelters, the police, friends and family in the destination country. It is also advisable to agree on a contact schedule with family and/or friends at home before leaving for a new destination. Should something go awry, and you fail to contact them at the agreed time, they will be able to contact the relevant authorities for help.

Know your rights as an employee of the country you are going to

Migrant workers are entitled to the same rights as all workers, and should be treated with respect and dignity. Before you work abroad, know your rights, and how to protect them. Be sure to investigate the minimum wages and other conditions of employment in the country to which you’re travelling.

Once you arrive in your country of destination

Do not give your passport away to anyone (see remarks on certain countries of the Arabian Peninsula below):

Do not give your passport over to anyone except immigration officials or if requested to do so for reasons of identification e.g. Police or Hotel check-in reception. It is illegal for an employer to ask to hold onto your passport for any reason and you should never agree to do so, regardless of whether this is stipulated in an employment contract.

The problem that is being experienced by South African citizens in some countries of the Arabian Peninsula goes back a long time and is rooted in the system of sponsorship as practised by these countries vis-à-vis foreigners. It is important to note that sponsorship imposes a number of serious obligations on the sponsor. He/she typically has to provide accommodation, transport, basic sustenance, minimum medical care and repatriation.

Added to that, he/she has a traditional obligation to the private debt that his/her sponsored worker may incur. It is the latter circumstance that, more than anything else, prompts the sponsor to retain her/his employee’s passport.

Diplomatic and consular missions of many countries have, over the years, sought to address this particular complaint with the governments of the countries involved, to little avail. However, until the sponsorship system is not radically altered, the passport issue under discussion will remain. Besides establishing a preferential position of trust with his/her employer, there is not much an employee can do in the circumstances.

A South African or any foreigner may object to his sponsor/employer holding on to his passport, but with a proper understanding of the implications for his employment. As a last resort, he/she may have recourse to the courts, if he feels strongly enough about it.

The Department does not condone the practice, but recognises that it reflects the peculiarities of the expatriate labour system in that particular part of the world.

Intervention, legal or otherwise, must be weighed against the benefit and importance of the individual employee’s labour contract. It is reasonable to assume that the decision ultimately rests with that employee.

In the final instance the South African Government confirms that the South Africa passport is the property of the Republic and is made available to a citizen for purposes of travel.

Make contact

Once you have arrived in your country of destination, contact your local embassy and report that you are in the country. Also contact friends and family at home and let them know that you are safe and give them your contact details. If you find yourself in trouble, make contact with the police or your local embassy.

Consular Information

Quick links.

Association of South African Travel Agents (ASATA)

Immigration and Civic Services

Advance Fee Fraud Scam Letters and Lottery Scams

Police clearance certificates.

South African Driver's Licence

South African Revenue Services

VAT Refund Applications

Importation of Animals and Animal Products

Importation of Motor Vehicles: DTI Import Control

Importation of Motor Vehicles: National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS)

Importation of other goods: dti import control.

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South Africa travel rules: Can I go on holiday there and what tests do I need?

The safari and foodie favourite was removed from the uk’s red list on 11 october, article bookmarked.

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The Cape Winelands are just one of South Africa’s many charms

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As of 11 October, South Africa is no longer on the UK’s red list for international travel.

This means that travellers coming into Britain from South Africa no longer have to quarantine for 11 nights in a government-mandated hotel, at a cost of thousands per person - making a holiday there a much more appealing prospect, just in time for winter.

But are flights operating, and is South Africa letting UK travellers in?

Here’s what we know so far.

Can UK arrivals enter South Africa?

Yes. Foreign nationals may visit South Africa for any reason, including tourism.

You must arrive with a paper copy of a negative PCR test result (South African authorities recommend printing a few of these as you may have to show them at various stages of your trip), taken within the 72 hours prior to your departure from the UK. This is regardless of vaccination status.

If you fail to present this, you will have to pay to take an antigen test at the airport you have arrived at, and if you test positive you will have to quarantine for 10 days at your own expense.

Otherwise, arrivals with a negative test result are free to continue with their travels.

You’ll also need to fill out a health questionnaire before travel, and thermal screening is in place at South African airports.

Are flights and holidays operating to South Africa?

Yes - flights are operating with the major airlines, albeit a slightly reduced service. Virgin Atlantic, for example, is currently operating three flights a week to Johannesburg but none to Cape Town.

From 8 November, Virgin will resume daily flights to Johannesburg, and from 17 December it will start flying three times a week to Cape Town.

British Airways has five flights per week from London to Johannesburg, but none to former direct routes Cape Town - the latter is expected to resume during November.

The airline is also expected to resume a twice daily service to Johannesburg in mid-December.

In terms of package holidays and tours, tour operators such as Trailfinders never stopped offering future travel to South Africa for those who wanted to book ahead.

“Trailfinders sends more UK visitors to South Africa than any other tour op. After it was removed from the red list late last Thursday, our South Africa enquiries immediately increased substantially, the destination was once again back in our top 10 most popular last week,” a spokesperson told The Independent .

As of 11 October, the Foreign Office has also removed its advice against all but essential travel to the country, so British travellers should have no problem getting a valid travel insurance policy to cover their trips.

What’s the Covid situation like on the ground?

South Africa has been easing its travel restrictions in the past few weeks.

On 30 September, President Ramaphosa announced that the country would move from an alert Level 2 to Level 1 in a bid to boost economic activity - the night-time curfew has been reduced to midnight-4am, and no alcohol is sold after 11pm.

You have to wear a mask in public places, and on public transport - refusing to do so is a criminal offence - and numbers are limited on buses and trains.

Internal flights are operating within the country, and you must wear a face mask on all flights at present.

Tour operator Kuoni’s Africa specialist Dagmar Marrocco is currently in Cape Town, and says: “Although South Africa’s Covid infection rate is a lot lower than the UK’s, there are still local level 1 restrictions in place. Mask wearing in public spaces is compulsory, a curfew is in place between midnight and 4am, and restaurants and bar must close by 23:00 to allow staff to return home.

“These protocols are being strictly followed and are actually really reassuring. It also hasn’t been a hindrance at all, and we’ve enjoyed some wonderful restaurants around the city, wineries in Stellenbosch, and seeing the penguins at Boulders Beach with very few other visitors around.”

What about coming back to the UK?

Since South Africa is now off the red list, and on the symbolic ROW (“rest of world”) list, fully vaccinated UK travellers only need to book a day two PCR test for their return, taking it and sending it off for results within the two days after landing.

Unvaccinated travellers or those who have only had one jab will need to self-isolate for 10 days on return, plus take an additional PCR test on day eight of quarantine.

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Prior to Entry

There are no COVID-19-related entry restrictions (e.g. border closures, mandatory proof of testing and vaccination) in force at this time.

South Africa has reopened many land borders , long clearance times are to be expected. All commercial seaports are also open. Entry for business or tourism purposes is only possible via King Shaka, OR Tambo, Cape Town International, Kruger Mpumalanga and Lanseria airports , regardless of prior stays in other countries.

There are no COVID-19-related mandatory entry forms or online registrations to be completed before travel at this time.

Transit is permitted.

Children and minors are not generally exempt in case testing requirements apply.

No notes available.

There is no testing or quarantine requirement on entry for completely immunized persons.

There is no testing or quarantine requirement on entry for incompletely vaccinated persons.

There is no testing or quarantine requirement on entry for those who have recovered.

There is no ease of restrictions.

COVID-19 related documentary proof of vaccination, recovery, or a negative test result is not currently required.

Current value: 17. Previous week: 40 Data source: Our World in Data / European Center for Disease Control. The data is only available at country level and is updated daily.

There are currently no COVID-19-related travel restrictions in the country.

The mask requirement and the distance rules are removed.

All restrictions are lifted.

Alle Einschränkungen sind aufgehoben.

The mask requirement has been lifted, and public transport is operating under regular conditions.

Air traffic has resumed normal operations.

Should travellers show symptoms, they are requested to test themselves.

If travellers test positive for COVID-19 during their stay in South Africa and are symptomatic, they are required to self-isolate for 7 days. If they are asymptomatic, they are not required to isolate.

Entry/return to Germany

For travellers entering from a risk-free area, there are no longer any registration or other requirements.

There is no obligation to test before entering Germany.

Since May 2022, no proof of a negative test, a vaccination or recovery is required, in order to enter Germany.

Further information on the new entry regulation can be found at the Federal Government 's website.

Returnees from virus-variant areas are generally required to present all test certificates on entry. In the case of virus variant areas, only a PCR test (maximum 48 hours old) is permitted. A proof of vaccination or recovery can not replace the negative test result.

Exceptions for delivery traffic, commuters and other groups of people do not apply to returnees for virus variant areas.

There is no obligation to test after entering Germany.

According to the Robert Koch-Institute, it is a risk-free area . There is no quarantine obligation after entry into or return to Germany.

There is no testing or quarantine requirement for completely immunized persons on entry/return.

Vaccinated persons are exempt from national quarantine and testing obligations. (Caution: In Germany, only the vaccines by BioNTech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, and Novavax have been approved so far.) Further information is available from the Federal Government .

There is no testing or quarantine requirement on entry/return for incompletely vaccinated persons.

There is no testing or quarantine requirement on entry/return for those who have recovered.

Recovered persons are exempt from quarantine and testing obligations nationwide, area of active circulation of highly contagious virus variants . Those who have recovered need proof of a positive PCR test (or other nucleic acid detection) at least 28 days and no more than 3 months ago. Recovered persons must not have any symptoms of a possible COVID-19 infection. Further information is available from the Federal Government .

*All information is without guarantee and is based exclusively on information provided by external sources, e.g. the German Foreign Office. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of this information. Please inform yourself about the applicable entry requirements before your flight.

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UK Foreign Office issues 'no travel' warning for 24 'blacklisted' countries

T he Foreign Office has issued a stern 'no travel' warning for 24 countries, effectively making them no-go zones for UK holidaymakers.

The list features some expected entries as well as a few surprises. Currently, the Foreign Office strongly advises against all but essential travel to these 24 'blacklisted' destinations: Afghanistan, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, and Niger.

North Korea, Palestinian territories, Russia, Somalia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Yemen are also included on the list.

READ NEXT- Edinburgh to see week long deluge and thunderstorms following warm weather spell

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Ryanair, easyJet and Jet2 have issued warnings to Brits planning a summer trip to Turkey.

A Foreign Office alert has been issued as a virus fatal in a third of cases has been found in Spain, reports Bristol Live .

In its advisory for Afghanistan, the UK Foreign Office warns that "the security situation is volatile" and travel through the country is extremely dangerous, reports LeedsLive. British nationals are also at a "heightened risk of being detained" in Afghanistan.

The Foreign Office further advises against all travel to Russia due to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine, describing the situation there as "unpredictable". It's crucial to check Foreign Office travel warnings before travelling abroad.

Remember that your travel insurance may be invalidated if you travel against Foreign Office advice, and consular support may be limited in some cases.

One UK tourist shared their experience, stating: "My wife and I visited St Petersburg in 2019. It was stunning and the people were very friendly. The Hermitage museum and the churches and cathedrals are breathtaking. We also visited the Summer Palace which is a must see. Would love to go back as we were only there for 4 days."

Another concurred, saying: "The Church of Our Saviour on the Spilled Blood on Naberezhnaya Kanala Griboyedova, St Petersburg. When this war is finished, St Petersburg should be on everyone's list of places to visit."

"Pretoria, Durban, Caracas, Rio all around crime index 81, worst in Europe Marseilles at 65. London mid table 55, even Coventry has higher crime index," another chimed in.

Update May 10, 2024

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By Lynsey Chutel

Reporting from Johannesburg

An inquiry into a deadly fire in Johannesburg last August that killed 76 people and exposed a housing crisis in South Africa’s largest city placed the blame on officials who ignored “ringing alarm bells” for years.

The eight-month inquiry, led by a retired constitutional court justice, released its findings in a report on Sunday. The report said that years of inaction by city agencies had allowed the building to fall into lethal disrepair, and singled out a high-ranking official for blame.

“The consequences of the fire would have been mitigated had the city complied with its legal obligations as owner and municipality,” the report said.

In the early hours of Aug. 31, a fire ripped through a derelict building in downtown Johannesburg. Once a women’s shelter, it had been all but abandoned by city agencies although it was owned by the government and managed by the Johannesburg Property Company, a government agency. Instead, about 600 people desperate for affordable accommodation were squatting in the five-story building, creating a tinderbox that would lead to one of the deadliest residential fires in South Africa’s recent history.

While a resident in the building later confessed to setting the fire, the report found that city officials knew about the “distressing conditions” and had allowed the building to become a firetrap. Once known as the Usindiso women’s shelter, the building was taken over by criminal organizations who collected rent.

The structure had no municipal electricity or running water. Instead, residents used the building’s fire hoses and fire extinguishers to collect and store water, and created illegal electricity connections. They erected partitions of wood, cardboard and cloth, built shacks within rooms and cooked on paraffin stoves. Heaps of trash piled up around the building. The structure was known as a haven for crime in the area, and yet law enforcement was virtually nonexistent, the report found.

The city had known about these conditions for at least four years, the report found. Officials raided the building in 2019 and earmarked it for demolition, but took no further action, the report said. Dozens of people were evicted at the time, but the squatters returned in greater numbers.

The city’s chief fire officer should have designated the building for emergency evacuation, the report found, a status that would have meant a faster response time of no more than eight minutes in an emergency such as the Aug. 31 fire. Instead, the first fire trucks arrived 11 minutes after the emergency call, with more arriving 19 minutes after the call. During the inquiry, witnesses said the city’s struggling fire department did not have enough trucks to respond to disasters around Johannesburg.

A spokesman for the mayor’s office on Monday said it had not yet received the public report, and would study its recommendations once it had.

When firefighters reached the scene, they found blocked emergency evacuation points, and exits that had been welded shut by occupants. Stairwells and corridors were being used as makeshift dwellings and fire extinguishers were empty or walled off inside illegal apartments, the report said.

As the fire raged out of control, dozens of people leaped from the top floors. One woman who testified in the inquiry recalled the bone-chilling screams of people trapped behind a steel door. Emergency workers told the commission that they had found 11 bodies behind a steel gate.

During an inquiry session in late January, a startling confession stunned the room full of lawyers and survivors when a 30-year-old man said he had started the fire. The man, Sithembiso Mdlalose, said he had sold drugs for the gangs who operated from the building. On the night of the fire, he told the commission through sobs, he had strangled a man involved in a dispute and tried to set the body alight to hide the evidence. Mr. Mdlalose has been charged with 76 counts of murder.

While the city of Johannesburg did not set the fire, it bore some responsibility for the lives lost, the report found. The commission recommended disciplinary action against officials in charge of the city’s housing, sanitation, electricity and water agencies. It also called for “appropriate action” against the longtime chief executive of the Johannesburg Property Company, Helen Botes, for a “total disregard of the managing of Usindiso building despite knowledge of the disastrous state since at least 2019.” The report did not suggest specific measures.

Ms. Botes is accountable to the mayor’s office, but she has outlasted 10 mayors.

In the aftermath of the fire, an investigation by The Times found that Ms. Botes had faced accusations of corruption and mismanagement of the city’s vast housing portfolio. In testimony to the commission, Ms. Botes blamed illegal squatters for breaking city laws and a constrained city budget for blocking an effective eviction. Like other officials, she also pointed to South Africa’s housing laws, which require the government to find alternative accommodation for evicted residents, as a challenge.

The original death toll was 77, but the report on Sunday revised that to 76. Among the dead were teachers and students in search of affordable accommodation, and dozens of migrants from other African countries who had moved to Johannesburg seeking work. Nineteen victims had yet to be identified. Scores of survivors remain homeless, and have moved into similarly derelict buildings around the city. More than 80 people were injured.

In the months since the fire, city officials bricked up the building and erected barbed wire around its perimeter to prevent desperate squatters from returning. The commission recommended that the building be demolished, and in its place, a commemorative plaque erected to honor the lives lost.

Lynsey Chutel covers South Africa and the countries that make up southern Africa from Johannesburg. More about Lynsey Chutel

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South Africa travel advice
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions.Find out more about FCDO travel advice.. Before you ...
Is it safe to travel to South Africa? Latest travel advice
Latest travel advice. There's no doubt crime is a serious issue in South Africa, and rates have been increasing. Here's what you need to know. Passengers wait at a MyCiTi bus stop in Cape Town ...
South Africa Travel Advisory
Travel Advisory. February 5, 2024. South Africa - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. U C. Updated to reflect safety consideration when using GPS navigation. Exercise increased caution in South Africa due to crime and civil unrest . Country Summary: Violent crime, such as armed robbery, rape, carjacking, mugging, and "smash-and-grab" attacks ...
South Africa International Travel Information
Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution and Travel Advisories.
South Africa travel rules: What are the latest restrictions for
No. South Africa lifted its remaining Covid-19 restrictions for travellers on 23 June. This meant an end to the former rules, which included vaccinated travellers having to show proof of full ...
Advice for South African nationals travelling abroad
When travelling abroad the laws of the foreign country apply to everybody. South Africans are not exempt from local foreign legislation and will not receive special treatment. Find out about the destination, paying particular attention to issues of personal security, safety, health, immigration, customs and import regulations. South Africans ...
Covid-19 Advice Travellers
ADVICE FOR TRAVELLERS- LEVEL 1. *DISCLAIMER. Updated as per Gazette 46078 of 22 March 2022. The country has been on adjusted alert level 1 from 30 December 2021. Adjusted regulations include: 50% - maximum capacity of venues for indoor and outdoor gatherings. 72 - maximum hours for the validity of a COVID-19 test as proof of vaccination at ...
Travel
Traveling to and from the Republic from neighbouring countries is allowed: Provided that travellers who are-. (a) fully vaccinated must upon arrival at the land border, produce, a valid vaccination certificate; and. (b) unvaccinated must upon arrival at the land border, provide a valid certificate of a negative COVID-19 test, recognised by the ...
South Africa
General Travel Advice. Irish citizens who are planning to visit South Africa for less than 90 days, do not require a visa. If you wish to visit for longer than 90 days please consult your nearest Embassy or Consulate of South Africa before travelling.
Top Foreign Travel Advice South Africa by Gov UK and FCDO
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions.Find out more about FCDO travel advice.. Before you travel. No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide as well as support for British nationals abroad which includes:. advice on preparing for travel abroad and reducing risks
Travel advice and advisories for South Africa
Travel on foot is inadvisable in most areas. If walking is unavoidable, use only brightly lit, busy streets in popular tourist areas and maintain awareness of your surroundings. If you choose to drive in South Africa: always drive defensively. plan your trip in advance, especially if you are visiting a rural area.
Advice for South African Citizens Travelling Abroad
Advice for South African citizens travelling abroad Be prepared When travelling abroad South Africans should take time to learn about the financial, political, cultural and economic environment of their intended destination. ... 0800 60 11 90 within South Africa or the Home Affairs Contact Centre via e-mail on [email protected], or any regional ...
South Africa travel rules: Can I go on holiday there and what tests do
As of 11 October, the Foreign Office has also removed its advice against all but essential travel to the country, so British travellers should have no problem getting a valid travel insurance ...
South Africa travel advice
South Africa travel advice. Everything you need to know before you head to the airport, from the latest travel restrictions and alerts to visa requirements and airport guides. Information correct as of Wednesday 8 th May 2024 10:47pm (UK Time) South Africa travel alerts. Entry requirements.
Foreign travel advice
Foreign travel advice. Get advice about travelling abroad, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings. Search for a country or ...
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Travellers should always check the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice and their country-specific pages for the latest COVID-19 travel advisories which may include information on travel restrictions, quarantine, COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements. This includes considering the recommendations and ...
Travel Advice for South Africa, Safety and Security
South Africa Travel Info: Safety. Although South Africa is known for having a high crime rate, in general, the country is considered safe for tourists to visit. Travelers can avoid any dangerous situations by carefully planning their trip beforehand, exercising caution, and making informed decisions. The UK Government travel advisory states ...
South Africa
The Federal Foreign Office points out that in view of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, there are still risks associated with international travel, especially for people without full vaccination protection as well as vulnerable groups. Regulations on entry or international transport connections can change quickly with the pandemic situation.
Foreign Office updates Turkey travel advice as UK tourists told ...
The UK Foreign Office has updated its advice for holidaymakers travelling to Turkey. The government advises against travel to specific parts of Turkey, while tourists visiting safe-to-travel areas ...
Johannesburg airport guide
Johannesburg airport guide. Get your trip off to a flying start with Virgin Atlantic at Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport. From check in details to airport facilities for departures and onward travel information for arrivals, don't stress - we've got it covered.
Is it safe to travel to Egypt 2024? Latest Foreign Office advice ...
The Foreign Office updated its travel advice for UK holidaymakers visiting Egypt amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The main tourist resorts including Cairo, Nile cruise stops ...
UK Foreign Office issues 'no travel' warning for 24 'blacklisted' countries
The Foreign Office has issued a 'no travel' advisory for 24 countries, effectively putting them off-limits for UK holidaymakers. The list includes some expected entries as well as a few surprises
Travel Advisories
× External Link. You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein.
Foreign Office reveals all the countries UK holidaymakers should avoid
Some places aren't safe to travel to - make sure to check the travel advice for your destinations before travelling (Image: Canva) All the countries and territories you shouldn't travel to. If you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), your travel insurance could become invalid.
'Alarm Bells' Were Ringing: Johannesburg Officials Faulted Over Deadly
An inquiry into a deadly fire in Johannesburg last August that killed 76 people and exposed a housing crisis in South Africa's largest city placed the blame on officials who ignored "ringing ...

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Foreign Travel Advice South Africa

ENTER YOUR DESTINATION FOR YOUR CUSTOM TRAVEL BRIEF

Before you travel

Travel insurance

COVID-19 rules

Passport validity requirements

Dual nationals

Visa requirements

Travelling with children

Vaccination requirements (other than COVID-19)

Customs rules

Taking money into South Africa

Terrorism in South Africa

Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories conflict

Political situation

Violent crime

Fraud and scams

Criminal kidnaps

Airport safety

Travelling to and from Airports

Vehicle hijacking and robbery

Planning for power cuts

Preparing for power cuts

Laws and cultural differences

Legal and illegal drugs

LGBT travellers

Wildlife, animal products and souvenirs

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Table Mountain National Park, including Lion’s Head and Signal Hill

Hiking and walking

Kruger National Park

Beach safety

Transport risks

Driving standards and road conditions

Driving licences in South Africa

Public transport

Land border crossings

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Emergency medical number

Vaccinations and health risks

Cholera outbreak

Healthcare facilities in South Africa

Rehabilitation centres for drug or alcohol addiction

Travel and mental health

Emergency services in South Africa

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Refunds and changes to travel

Support from FCDO

Contacting FCDO