Overview
- Capital: Pretoria (executive); Major gateways: Johannesburg (JNB), Cape Town (CPT).
- Language: 11 official languages; English widely spoken in tourism.
- Currency: South African Rand (ZAR). Cards widely accepted; ATMs common.
- VAT: 15% on most goods/services. Tourists can apply for a VAT refund on eligible retail purchases at departure—keep original tax invoices and allow extra time at the airport.
- Power: 230V / 50Hz. Plugs Type M (three large round pins) and newer ZA/Type N—bring a universal adaptor.
- Water: Tap water in major cities is generally safe to drink; bring a reusable bottle (or support a local community and buy one).
- Driving: Left-hand driving. An International Driving Permit may be required by some car rental companies—check before you travel.
- Time: UTC+2 year-round (no daylight saving).
- Health: No mandatory vaccines for most travelers. Yellow Fever certificate required if arriving from/through a Yellow Fever risk area.
- Local culture: Warm, diverse and proudly multi-lingual. A friendly “Hello / Howzit” and a smile go a long way. Casual-smart dress is fine in cities; ask permission before photographing people; bargaining is normal at craft markets (not in shops), but while bargaining, remember who you are bargaining with – good people trying to make an honest living. Urban areas are broadly LGBTQ+ welcoming; smaller towns can be more conservative—read the room.
- Food & drink: Big flavors and variety—braai (barbecue), boerewors, bobotie, chakalaka & pap, Cape Malaycurries, Durban’s bunny chow, coastal seafood, plus world-class Cape Winelands. Great options for vegetarians/vegans and gluten-free on request. Legal drinking age 18.
Airfare
International flights
- Not included in our packages unless specifically stated.
- We’ll confirm exactly which airport(s) to arrive/depart from (usually Johannesburg—JNB and/or Cape Town—CPT). If your trip starts in one city and ends in another, book an open-jaw ticket or add a domestic hop.
- Please wait for our written tour confirmation before booking personal international flights.
- Typical booking windows: best economy pricing ~3–5 months out; business class ~5–8 months.
- Check baggage rules carefully—some regional tickets are hand-luggage only unless you add a checked bag.
- Want us to handle it? We can book and ticket your international flights through our airline partners on request (service fee applies). If we ticket your flights, we’ll align schedules to the land itinerary, share fare options, and assist with changes if airlines adjust timings.
Domestic / regional flights (within your itinerary)
- Usually included in the package (unless otherwise stated) and ticketed in economy class.
- Allowances follow the operating carrier; details appear on your final docs.
- These fares are subject to change until ticketed due to airport/government taxes and exchange-rate movements. If third-party increases occur, a surcharge or refund may apply and will be communicated promptly.
Good to know: Names must exactly match passports; aim to check in 3 hours before international and 90 minutesbefore domestic departures.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for medical cover, trip cancellation/curtailment, lost property and any paid-for activities. Please ensure your policy covers pre-paid arrangements, medical evacuation, and any optional adventure activities you plan to do (e.g., shark-cage viewing, hiking, paragliding).
Tour Leader
Afrigay trips are hosted by either Mike or a trusted tour leader, with licensed local specialist guides in each destination. Your leader handles logistics, check-ins, safety briefings, day pacing and the fun flourishes that make a trip feel special.
Travelling Alone
Solo travellers are very welcome. You can:
- Room solo (single supplement applies), or
- Opt to share—we’ll try to pair you with a traveller of a similar profile to help you avoid the supplement. If we can’t match you, we’ll offer the best single rate available.
Meals
Inclusions vary by itinerary and are shown on the ‘What’s included’ tab. We always try to include a Welcome Dinner and a Farewell Dinner in the package so the group can connect at the start and celebrate at the end. Not all meals are included—we build in free time so you can explore the local food scene at your own pace. We happily cater for vegan/vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary needs—just let us know in advance. South Africa’s food culture is rich: think Cape seafood, Cape Malay flavours, a good braai (barbecue), and award-winning Cape Winelands wines.
Optional Activities
Only the activities listed as Included on your trip page are part of your package. Anything else is optional and not included.
If you’d like extras, we can arrange them at additional cost—either before you travel or on tour—subject to availability, season, weather and (sometimes) minimum numbers. Prices are set by third-party operators and may change until paid.
Payment & policy: Optional add-ons are usually paid direct to the supplier (card/cash). If we pre-book on your behalf, charges will appear on your invoice. Cancellation/changes follow the supplier’s terms.
Safety & suitability: Some activities carry age/weight/fitness limits or require waivers. Your travel insurance must cover any optional activity you choose.
Your tour leader will advise what fits the schedule so add-ons don’t disrupt the group experience.
Tipping Protocol
Tipping is customary but always at your discretion. Amounts below are guidelines. USD figures are approximate using R19 ≈ US$1 (please check your bank’s live rate).
- Restaurants/Bars: 10–15% of the bill (more for great service).
- Taxis/E-hailing: round up or ~10%.
- Hotel porters: R20–R30 per bag (~US$1–$2).
- Housekeeping: R20–R50 per room per day (~US$1–$3).
- Full-day guide/driver (private touring): R100–R250 per person per day (~US$5–$13, depending on group size/service).
- Tour Leader (multi-day Afrigay host): R100–R250 per person per day (~US$5–$13). This aligns with common global norms for group leaders on multi-day tours.
Your tour leader will brief you on any lodge-specific tipping pools or guidelines where applicable.
What to Bring
- Passport & copies, travel insurance details, and any required visas/certificates.
- Bank cards (notify your bank of travel) and a little cash for tips/markets.
- Adapters (Type M/ZA), power bank, and unlocked phone for local eSIM/SIM.
- Layers—South Africa can swing from warm days to cool evenings; a light rain jacket year-round.
- Sun protection—hat, SPF 30+, sunglasses; swimwear; comfortable walking shoes.
- Personal meds, basic first-aid, and any specialist gear for optional activities.
We’ll send a tour-specific packing cue sheet with your final documents.
LGBTQ+ Information
South Africa is one of the most LGBTQ+-affirming countries globally: same-sex marriage is legal, discrimination is prohibited by law, and Pride events are held in major cities. That said, comfort levels vary—urban areas are generally relaxed; smaller towns can be more conservative. Public displays of affection should follow local context. We partner with suppliers trained to welcome everyone, and we’ll brief you on safe, joyful nights out (and the best queer-friendly spots) in each city.
Additional Information
We currently don't have this information available.
Rights Reserved
We may make reasonable changes to the itinerary, accommodation, transport or sequencing when required by weather, safety, governmental advice, availability or operational factors. Equivalent or higher-quality services will be substituted where possible. Afrigay Travel, its staff and suppliers operate within South African law and industry standards; participation implies acceptance of our full Terms & Conditions issued at booking.