There are a number of ride-hailing apps to choose from in South Africa, but Uber and Bolt are the most-popular for a reason. Never worry about getting ripped off in cab, negotiating with a driver, or being stranded on an empty street with these apps. Best of all, you can track your route as you go, so you can feel secure in wherever you are headed.
- Learn Local Phrases: Hello South Africa
This app was created for FIFA World Cup visitors when South Africa hosted the games in 2010. It’s based on a popular phrasebook of everyday sayings in South Africa’s 11 official languages. Having a translation or phrasebook app will help you break down barriers, learn some basics, and get through the day as you move through South Africa.
- Eat Anywhere, Anytime: Mr D Food
Sometimes, we don’t want to deal with the time and hassle of sitting down at restaurant. Mr D Food is a local food delivery app where you can order meals, groceries, and even liquor right to your door. It has a wide network of local and international restaurants, with offerings of almost anything – from local dishes like bunny chow to world-wide hits like fried chicken.
- Hit the Road: Waze
Locals love using this community-based navigation app for its real-time, crowd-sourced updates on traffic and road conditions. It suggests optimal routes based on a number of factors, and can even help you find the closest and cheapest petrol station on your chosen route.
- For Safari-Goers: KrugerExplorer and Latest Sightings
Make the most of your time on safari by staying abreast of what’s around. Latest Sightings offers real-time updates on wildlife sightings, like Waze for animal crossings. The KrugerExplorer app has route planning tools, offline maps, and detailed information on animals in the park – great for those moments when you want to disconnect but still have information at your fingertips.
- Find the Perfect Overnight Stay: LekkeSlaap
While Airbnb and Booking.com are perfectly acceptable accommodation apps, this local offering can sometimes have hidden gems you might not find elsewhere. Look through its listings for cozy guesthouses, luxury safari lodges, and ultra-modern lofts.
- For Nature Lovers: iNaturalist and Sasol eBirds Southern Africa
Nature lovers and wannabe-nature-lovers will find themselves reaching for this app all throughout their trip to South Africa. Become a citizen scientist by sharing your photos of flora and fauna on iNaturalist. The app and its community will help you identity the country’s incredible biodiversity, and you’ll contribute to global research at the same time. For those into birds, Sasol eBirds is a comprehensive guide to Southern African bird species.
Stay one step ahead of South Africa’s scheduled power outages (load shedding) with this app. It provides real-time updates on outage schedules, so you can avoid any unexpected disruptions to your plans.
Stay connected while traveling through South Africa and avoid roaming fees with the Red Bull MOBILE eSIM. This SIM card is downloaded digitally – no need to physically install anything. You can connect to data as soon as you land, without needing to track down a SIM card seller. Even better, you won’t have to worry about downloading offline maps or struggling to find Wi-Fi hotspots. With the Red Bull MOBILE Data app, you can manage your eSIM package whenever you want. If you decide to stay longer or head elsewhere, all you have to do is log in to the app, choose a new package, and get moving!
For more information on how to have data and avoid roaming charges while traveling in South Africa, check out our piece on the benefits, FAQs, and installation process for the Red Bull MOBILE eSIM.
