Do you need a visa for South Africa in 2026? +
No for EU nationals on tourist stay under 90 days. Passport valid at least 30 days past return date with 2 consecutive blank pages required (border officers are strict). Keep both entry and exit stamps.
What paperwork do you need to travel with a minor to South Africa? +
South Africa remains one of the few countries to require additional documents for minors under 18. To present at check-in: individual passport + unabridged birth certificate (multilingual EU extract works, or English-translated version). If only one parent is travelling or if the child travels with a third party: notarised parental consent letter less than 3 months old, translated into English by a sworn translator. Airlines refuse boarding without these documents.
When to go to South Africa? +
Depends on your program. For Kruger safari: May-September (dry season, wildlife concentrated around waterholes, few mosquitoes). For Cape Town and Garden Route: November-March (austral summer, 22-30°C). To combine both: April or October are the sweet spots. Avoid March (peak tourist season in Cape Town, prices x2).
Is South Africa dangerous in 2026? +
Security situation varies sharply by area. Johannesburg: high crime, avoid Hillbrow, Berea, the CBD on foot at night, use Uber. Cape Town: V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay, Sea Point are very safe and well patrolled, avoid townships without a guide and secondary roads to the airport. Garden Route and Kruger: quiet, almost zero crime. France Diplomatie places the country under enhanced vigilance but does not advise against tourism. Golden rules: never display valuables, locked car doors, Uber/Bolt rather than street taxis, never walk after dark in cities.
Left-hand driving and road conditions? +
Left-hand driving (British legacy), wheel on the right. Adaptation takes 30 minutes on main roads. Highways (N1, N2, N3) and the Garden Route are in excellent shape. Kruger and secondary roads: decent asphalt, watch for potholes. Defensive driving recommended: minibus taxis are unpredictable. EU licence is legally sufficient, but the international driving permit is very strongly recommended for rental companies and police.
Do you need anti-malaria treatment? +
Depends on the area. Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route, Drakensberg: zero malaria risk, no treatment needed. Kruger National Park and provinces of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, northern KwaZulu-Natal: at-risk zone, anti-malaria treatment recommended (Malarone) especially in wet season (October-April). In dry season (May-September) risk is very low but health authorities maintain the recommendation. Consult an international vaccination centre.
Is tap water drinkable? +
Yes in major cities (Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria) and along the Garden Route. European-grade water. In some rural areas and isolated lodges, bring a filter bottle or bottled water. Cape Town experienced shortages (Day Zero 2018), follow local consumption guidance.
Self-drive or guided safari in Kruger? +
Both make sense. Self-drive: economical (€30/day park entry, car already rented), total freedom, but you miss wildlife explanations and some discreet animals. Guided: morning or evening game drive (5h, €50-80 with public hotel, €150-400 in private lodge), experienced guides spot leopards and lions invisible to an untrained eye. Recommended mix: 2 days self-drive + 1 guided drive at sunrise or sunset.
