Are you planning a trip to South Africa?
Before you buy travel insurance for your trip to South Africa, there are a few things to consider:
- How much medical coverage you have – No one wants to think about getting ill or having an accident abroad but, unfortunately, it does happen
- The cost of your trip – If you have to cancel, it’s important to know that you can get your money back
- The activities you’re likely to be doing – If you’re planning anything really extreme, you may need additional extreme sports policy
- And don’t forget to check the latest travel advice for South Africa from the FCDO
Our Coronavirus Travel Insurance is rated Superior by a leading UK Consumer Champion. All of our policies will cover you if you catch Coronavirus.
What is covered with travel insurance to South Africa?
As standard, our policies cover for over 50 sports and activities, so you can get up to more on your holiday. We also offer a range of benefits, some of which include:
- Medical expenses and hospital benefit
- Personal accident and liability
- Cancelling and cutting short your holiday
- Abandoning your trip
- Delayed departure
- Accommodation cover
- Personal belongings and baggage
- Personal money, passport and travel documents
- Legal expenses
We’d like you to have the best possible holiday experience, so we’ve put together some important information that you might want to know before your trip to South Africa.
| Currency | Rand |
| Most common languages spoken | English and Afrikaans |
| Capital | Cape Town (legislative)
Pretoria (administrative) Bloemfontein (judicial) |
| Continent | Africa |
| Population | Approx. 56 million |
| Plug type | Plug type D, M and N |
| Driving side | Left-hand side |
| Seasons | Spring – September to November
Summer – December to February Autumn – March to May Winter – June to August |
| Laws | Local laws and customs |
How much is travel insurance to South Africa?
Travel insurance for South Africa needn’t be expensive. The exact cost will depend on several factors, including the type of trip you’re taking and how long you plan to stay. We offer a range of cover levels to suit your budget and your holiday. Think about the cost of your trip and the value of your luggage, and make sure you pick a policy that will fully cover you if anything happens.
What is the best travel insurance for South Africa?
Our Black level policies offer the highest level of insurance for travel to South Africa. Black level policies include unlimited medical expenses, up to £10,000 of cancellation cover, and no excess to pay. We also offer Gold, Silver and Budget levels of cover, so you can choose the South Africa travel insurance that best fits your trip.
Is travel insurance mandatory for South Africa?
Travel insurance isn’t mandatory for entry into South Africa. However, it’s always advisable to buy insurance when travelling abroad. Medical treatment can be expensive in South Africa, and travel insurance comes with other benefits. These include cover for your belongings and if you have to cancel or cut short your trip.
Do I need a visa for South Africa?
As a UK citizen you don’t need to apply for a visa for South Africa if you’re going as a tourist or for business reasons. You’re allowed to stay for a maximum of 90 days without a visa. If you’re looking to go for longer than that you’ll have to contact the South African embassy.
Can you help if I need medical treatment while in South Africa?
Yes – all our policies come with access to our 24-hour emergency assistance team, so there will always be someone here to help you if you become ill or are injured while abroad.
If you need emergency medical assistance just give our team a call any time, day or night.
Healthcare in South Africa
Public and private healthcare services are available in South Africa. Often doctors or hospitals will ask for immediate payment, so it’s important to make sure you have accessible funds and a travel insurance policy in place to cover potential medical treatments.
It’s also important to remember to speak to your GP at least four to six weeks prior to travel to check whether there are any vaccinations you may need.
You can find more information about healthcare in South Africa here.
Did you know that…?
- The largest rough diamond in the world was discovered at the Cullinan Mine in South Africa in 1905, a 3107-carat whopper. It was cut into 105 diamonds, and the biggest two are part of the British crown jewels, set in the royal sceptre and crown.
- King Pie South Africa calls itself the biggest and most successful pie franchise in the world. It seems they’re not only leaders in pie. In 2005 they made a sausage roll measuring 111.11m, duly accorded world record status.
- Want a pot plant, but something that really lasts the distance? Head to South Africa and get yourself a prickly cycad. One brought back to Kew Gardens, Surrey, in 1775 is still going strong!
- Never any frost or snow, not too hot at 20°C average temperature, 320 days of sunshine a year and light showers for the flowers. It’s the weather at Mossel Bay, South Africa, regarded as one of the most temperate climates in the world. Perfect!
- In South Africa there is a law that prohibits members of the opposite sex sitting closer than 12 inches apart when in swim wear.
- The quagga was a type of zebra found in South Africa that became extinct in 1883. It was hunted for its meat and hide, which was half like a zebra, half donkey. DNA tests suggests it’s possible to breed it back to life!
- Of the 88 constellations used in modern astronomy, only one is named after a geographical feature. Mensa (meaning table in Latin) was named after Table Mountain in South Africa in 1763 by French astronomer Nicolas de Lacaille.