South Africa holds many attractions and sights for tourists. The country has some of the world’s most famous national parks and reserves for those who are interested in seeing animals in their natural habitats or for adventurers who seek to travel to the wilderness. South Africa also has some of the most modern cities in the Africa, including Cape Town and Johannesburg. In this page on how to visit South Africa, you can learn some basic information about visiting South Africa.

Visitors from the U.S., Western European countries, and Japan do not need a visa to enter South Africa] for tourism purpose. If you come from other countries, you should get your visa before you travel to South Africa.

English is widely spoken, especially in urban areas. South Africans may also speak 8 other African languages, isiZulu, isiXhosa, siSwati, isiNdebele, Setswana, Sepedi, and Sesotho.http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/za/travel-tips-detail?oid=17131&sn=Detail&pid=17563

South Africa’s official currency is the rand ( R ), which are divided into 100 cents. International currency that are most widely accepted are US Dollars, British pounds, and Euro.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-africa/practical-information/money-costs Major international credit cards are widely accepted. You can also withdraw money from numerous ATMs in the country. Retail goods are subject to 14% VAT. You can ask for tax refund when you are about to leave the country by filling some forms and present your invoices.http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/za/travel-tips-detail?oid=13497&sn=Detail&pid=17563

Tipping is expected in South Africa. Give some tips between 10 – 15% of your bill when you eat at a restaurant. Also give some tips for porters, taxi drivers, hairdressers, and all kind of human service.

You can travel to South Africa by road, sea, or by air. There are 4 international airports in South Africa. Johannesburg International Airport and Cape Town International Airport are the main international airports in South Africa while Durban International Airport, and Mpumalanga Kruger International Airport are mostly for regional flights.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-africa/transport/getting-there-away

Buses connect major areas in South Africa. Good intercity buses are the Greyhound, Trans-Lux, and the backpackers' option, Baz Bus. Within the cities, you can find local buses as your transportation means. You should order a metered taxi by phone if you want to use their service.

If you have an international driving license, you can rent a car during your stay in South Africa, which offers good deals, especially if you book beforehand through your travel agents. Major South Africa’s roads are usually in good conditions except in rural area. You can also rent 4WD vehicle if you want to travel to the wilderness.

Safety is a major concern in South Africa, but you can avoid unpleasant incidents by taking some safety precautions and always be on alert. Do not wear excessive jewelry and do not bring large amount of cash. Keep your precious items in the safe deposit box at your hotel. Do not accept any assistance when you withdraw money at the ATMs. You also need to ask the waiter to bring a portable credit card machine to your table when you pay with a credit card in a restaurant. Do not walk alone, especially in deserted areas during the night. Keep your car windows and doors locked. http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/za/travel-tips-detail?oid=19856&sn=Detail&pid=17563

There are many accommodation options available in South Africa. You can choose to stay in a hotel, inn, or resort, or you can stay at a bed and breakfast, which usually offers comfortable room and good amenities. Other types of accommodations in South Africa are guest houses, lodges, or self catering accommodations. Self catering accommodations include holiday homes, villas, or apartments. Most of the rooms and houses are fully equipped. If you are tight on a budget, you can also camp at the camping sites or stay in a caravan park.

Accommodations in South Africa is rated by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), which rated an accommodation and gives one star to five stars grade to ensure the qualities of an accommodation.http://www.sa-venues.com/stargrading.htm

There are many international cuisines in South Africa. If you want to try traditional South African food, try boerewors or pap, which you can get as take away in markets. At the wilderness, try braai or local barbecue.

Food in South Africa, especially in hotels, restaurants, and clubs has good hygiene. Drinking from the tap water is also safe in South Africa.http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/za/travel-tips-detail?oid=17719&sn=Detail&pid=17563 Avoid drinking water straight from stream and rivers without purifying tablets or other methods to ensure that the water is safe to drink. Water from mountain springs is usually safe to drink.

One of South Africa’s main attractions is the nature itself, especially its diverse wildlife. Kruger National Park is one of the largest natural reserves in Africa where you can see numerous wild animals, including lions, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos in their natural settings.http://www.lonelyplanet.com/south-africa/mpumalanga/kruger-national-park The southern part of the national park is more popular, because it is more accessible and have higher animal concentration. There are a lot of good accommodations in the area. Other famous animal reserve park in South Africa is the Kgagaladi Transfrontier Park

Anothereco-tourism destination in South Africa is Table Mountain. You can take a cable car to the top and see the spectacular view of South Africa’s nature from above. South Africa also has 8 other places that are listed as UNESCO Heritage Sites for its historical, cultural, and natural significance. These places are Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape, Greater St. Lucia Wetlands Park, Cape Floral Kingdom, The Cradle of Humankind, Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, Robben Island , and Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park http://www.sa-venues.com/unesco_world_heritage_sites.htm

If wildlife is not your thing, you still can find a lot of activities to do in South Africa. You can browse the flea markets and street vendors to find bargains for local handicrafts. As main producers of gold and precious stones, you can find gold jewelry with beautiful stones such as the Tanzanite stones. Other famous South African product is the South African wine.