South Africa travel essentials: advice, plugs, emergency numbers
Before you visit South Africa: travel advice level, plug type C/D, 230V, emergency 112, currency ZAR.
Travel advice (UK FCDO)
No advice against travel Updated 2026-11-05
Latest change (original, English)
Updated information about fraud and scams, and taxis and ride-hailing apps (‘Safety and security’ page).
Updated information about fraud and scams, and taxis and ride-hailing apps (‘Safety and security’ page).
↗ Read the full official advice
⚠️ This is the UK government’s assessment. Rules for your passport (visa, entry) can be different — check your own government’s official travel advice too.
CapitalBloemfontein
CurrencyZAR
LanguagesVenda, Northern Sotho, Swazi, Tswana
Calling code+27
Emergency numbers112
Plug typesType C, Type D
Voltage230 V
Driving sideLeft
Population62M