South Africa is a country with beautiful places, cities, breathtaking landscapes, diverse cultures, full of history, and – of course – incredible wildlife.
Summer in South Africa is from November to February, when the weather’s hot and ideal for beach holidays. Ideal places to visit would be Cape Town, Durban, and the Garden Route. Other areas, like Johannesburg and Kruger National Park, can get quite humid and rainy.
Winter months are from June to August, when it’s cooler and drier. This time of year is perfect for safari trips as you will see more animals, while Cape Town and the Western Cape can be chilly and rainy.
Spring ranges from September to October & Fall from March to May. You will enjoy a much milder weather, fewer crowds, and is excellent for outdoor activities.
Visa and Entry Requirements
Most travelers from major Western countries can enter South Africa without a visa for usually up to 90 days. However, make sure to check specific requirements for your country with the Department of Home Affairs. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your date of entry and has at least one blank page.
Most important phone number in case of an emergencies:
Police: 10111
Ambulance: 10177
General Emergency (Cell phone): 112
Tourist helpline: +27 (0)861 874 911
South Africa has several international airports, with OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport being the busiest. You can connect to other major cities with domestic flights.
If you like to explore places on your own, you could rent a car. Don’t forget to drive on the left side and carry a valid driver’s license and be aware of local driving regulations.
Other options include public transportation, like trains, buses (Greyhound and Baz Bus for backpackers), and taxis (e.g., minibus taxis and metered taxis). Uber is widely available in major cities.
While South Africa has eleven official languages, English is the most commonly spoken.
Here are some of the top destinations and attractions – it would be impossible to list them all.
Cape Town, where you have places like Table Mountain, Robben Island, V&A Waterfront, Cape Peninsula, and much more.
Kruger National Park offers one of Africa’s largest game reserves, where you can spot the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros) and other wildlife on a safari.
Durban is known for its beaches, Indian cuisine, and cultural diversity. There you should visit uShaka Marine World, the Golden Mile beachfront, and the vibrant Victoria Street Market.
Johannesburg is home to the Apartheid Museum, Soweto with Nelson Mandela’s house, Hector Pieterson Memorial, and Vilakazi Street. Maboneng Precinct is a vibrant urban district with street art, markets, and eateries.
Near Port Elizabeth at Addo Elephant National Park, you will find the best place to see elephants and other wildlife.
Wild Coast offers an untamed coastline with rugged cliffs, traditional Xhosa villages, and quiet beaches.
The Royal Natal National Park and Sani Pass (which leads into Lesotho) at Drakensberg Mountains are must-visit spots and are ideal for hiking, climbing, and exploring ancient San rock art.
Or enjoy a scenic drive along the coast from Mossel Bay to Storms River, where you will find Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Tsitsikamma National Park.
Like any big city, be mindful of your surroundings and take usual safety precautions. Stick to well-lit and populated areas, especially at night.
While WiFi is widely available in South Africa, the easiest way to stay connected while visiting is with the eSIM from Red Bull MOBILE.
Download the RedBull Mobile Data App to avoid expensive roaming fees and stay connected with your family and friends or for your business needs.
eSIMs also allow for more flexible mobile plans, as users can switch carriers or plans without needing to physically swap SIM cards. This can be especially useful for international travel, as users can switch to a local carrier or data plan without needing to purchase a new SIM card.
How do you get an eSIM?
With an eSIM you do not need to physically swap out SIM cards to stay connected to the internet and avoid expensive roaming charges.
Simply download the Red Bull MOBILE Data app, choose your data plan for your destination, and follow the instructions on how to activate the Red Bull MOBILE eSIM data plan. Your device will prompt you to set up your eSIM, which typically involves selecting a mobile plan and confirming your activation. Once your account is activated you are ready to connect to the world without any basic or roaming fees. You will be able to email, chat, set up video conferencing and use your social media accounts. Connecting with your family and friends around the globe is instantaneous.
You don’t have to switch out SIM cards, just switch to your eSIM plan for data on your device while traveling and when you get back you just switch to your regular SIM card.
Are there more advantages to an eSIM other than traveling around the globe?
One of the many advantages of an eSIMs is that it can support multiple profiles, allowing you to use different carriers or plans on the same device. This can be useful if you travel frequently or have different needs for different situations. You could use it to separate your business account from your personal account for emails and phone calls by switching between those profiles. Please note, you can only use one profile at a time.
Another advantage of an eSIM is that you can access the Red Bull MOBILE Data app wherever you are. So if your travel plans change or you decide to go to a new country simply log in to the app, and choose a new destination and bundle, and you are all set!
Do all devices support eSIM?
Not all devices support eSIM, so you should check if your device is compatible with eSIM technology. You can usually find this information in the device specifications under Settings.
iOS devices: Go to Settings > Mobile Data or Cellular Data, if you have the Add Mobile Plan or Add Data Plan option, your iPhone supports eSIM.
Supported devices include iPhone XS, XR and newer models
Android devices: Go to Settings > Connections > SIM card manager. If you have the “Add mobile plan” option, your smartphone supports eSIM.
The majority of newer Android smartphones are supported including the Samsung Galaxy S20 or newer models, Google Pixel 3 or newer models, Huawei P40 and many more.
It’s worth noting that the exact steps to use an eSIM may vary slightly depending on your device and mobile carrier. So, it’s always a good idea to refer to the specific instructions provided by your carrier and device manufacturer.
Here are some tips on how to avoid expensive fees with eSIM for traveling:
Turn off automatic app updates: To avoid unnecessary data usage, turn off automatic app updates on your phone. This can be done in your phone’s settings.
Turn off background data: Many apps use data in the background even when you’re not actively using them. To avoid unnecessary data usage, turn off background data for apps that you don’t need.
Use a data monitoring app: Download a data monitoring app that can help you keep track of your data usage. This can help you avoid exceeding your data plan and incurring additional fees.
By following these tips, you can avoid expensive fees with eSIM for traveling and stay connected without breaking the bank.
