A rainbow nation of extraordinary contrasts — Cape Town's Cape Dutch architecture, the Big Five in Kruger, Table Mountain above the ocean, and vineyards producing world-class wine.
- Capital
- Pretoria
- Population
- 63,100,945
- Area
- 1,219,912 km²
- Languages
- Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
- Currency
- South African Rand (ZAR)
- GDP
- $410,338M
Good to know
Driving side
Left
National dish
Bobotie
Annual visitors
3,886,600 (2020)
Safety
Elevated (43.72/100k)
Big Mac
$3.36
Avg temp
18.2°C
Religion
Christianity
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 10111 · Ambulance 10177 · Fire 10177
Travel guide
South Africa is rich in culture, fauna, flora and history. Africa's southernmost country is a large country with widely varying landscapes, 12 official languages, and an equally diverse population and is often known as the "Rainbow Nation".
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore South Africa
Best time to visit
May–September is the dry season and best for Big Five safari (Kruger National Park). Cape Town is best November–March (summer). Garden Route is pleasant year-round. Whale watching at Hermanus: August–November.
Visa
Citizens of US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia and most Western countries receive 90 days visa-free. South Africa has a straightforward entry process and requires a valid passport with 30 blank pages.
Highlights
Cape Town is South Africa’s oldest and most beautiful city. Hemmed in between the sea and scenic Table Mountain, Cape Town is best known for its white sandy beaches, historic architecture, breathtaking viewpoints and charming vineyards.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (13)
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Major cities
Cape Town
South Africa's most beautiful city — Table Mountain, Boulders Beach penguins, the Cape Winelands, and superb food.
Johannesburg
South Africa's economic powerhouse, with the Apartheid Museum, Soweto, and a rapidly evolving arts and food scene.
Kruger
One of Africa's greatest national parks — the Big Five in a wilderness the size of Wales, with excellent safari infrastructure.