South Africa For First-Time Ghanaians: Everything You Need To Know Before You Go

If you’ve been wondering why posts about South Africa keep popping up on your feed, I’m here to inform you that it’s currently the second-favourite holiday destination for Ghanaians (after Dubai).

Ever since I started partnering with the South African Tourism board to promote the country, I concluded that South Africa should be every Ghanaian's holiday destination. Everything regarding South Africa just makes sense. This post is not enough to share about the places I’ve been to, the food and drink, the culture, the weather, the people, and the infrastructure.

If you’re planning to visit (for the first time) and don’t know where to start from or what to do, here’s everything you need to know.

South Africa At A Glance

Before anything else, I’m sharing the little I know about this visually striking destination.

With about 64Million people, South Africa is found at the southernmost part of Africa. Known as the rainbow nation (unity and diversity), South Africa boasts of rich wildlife, mineral resources (gold, diamonds), a thriving economy and is a favourite travel destination for many. A flight from Accra to Johannesburg is roughly 5 hours and 40 minutes, and they’re living 2 hours ahead. South Africa is fascinating in all aspects. It’s the only African country with three capitals. There are about 12 official languages spoken and my favourite is isiZulu

Is South Africa really Visa - Free?

Visa Free? What You Need to Know

Trust me, my private chat has seen this question at least 100 times now.

South Africa is indeed visa-free, and I experienced it not once, but twice. The visa waiver was announced in late 2023, and up until now, thousands of Ghanaians have visited South Africa thanks to the visa waiver agreement. Now all you need is a yellow fever vaccination certificate, a valid passport, some cash and your bags. For a detailed checklist, download this guide here .

Getting To South Africa From Ghana

When it comes to the choice of flight, I go with the cheapest and the most convenient. It’s probably your first, so let’s make it simple. If you need to get there fast, fly with South African Airways. I have flown the national carrier at least 4 times. They take you straight to Johannesburg, which is the hub. Depending on the season, flights should cost between $550 to $750. You can find a detailed guide regarding luggage guidelines here.

Where In South Africa Should You Go First

When it comes to South Africa, you’re spoiled for choice. The country is so big that one trip is not enough. For starters, it’s best to stick to two provinces (there are 9 provinces) and spend at most 7 days. Your first 2 or 3 days should be in Joburg and the rest in Cape Town. You can explore Joburg (Gauteng Province) in a day or two. If you’re interested in cool spots, art, history, dining and nightlife, Joburg is the best place to start. Cape Town (Western Cape Province) is the most visited due to the many things to do. It’s 2 hours from Johannesburg by flight, and you should spend at least 5 days. Think free, stunning beaches, good weather, big malls, winelands and fancy spots.

Is South Africa really safe?

The Question Everyone Asks

You must have heard that South Africa is the crime capital of Africa. For tourists, common crimes include pick-pocketing, robbery, and mugging. Most of these crimes don’t occur at tourist attractions. To ensure your safety, always be vigilant, be aware of your surroundings and don’t look touristy.

Is South Africa Expensive Compared To Ghana?

Currently, 1 ZAR is about GHS 0.70. South Africa is a well-developed nation (far better than Ghana, unfortunately), so you’ll expect lower prices on food and accommodation. Transportation and fashion may cost more depending on your location. However, generally, you can have a great time in South Africa with a good budget that doesn’t bleed out your account.

Getting Around In South Africa

When it comes to transportation, South Africa has options like any developed country should. In Joburg you can move around via the Gautrain. Hail ride apps like Uber and Bolt are widely used. Local taxis are the white Toyota hearse mini vans you’ll see. The taxi system is localised, and I don’t recommend using it.

Culture Shocks You Should Expect

South Africans are generally warm and friendly people (don’t believe everything you see in the news). Even though a bunch can be reserved, the majority are eager to offer help and befriend you. South Africans are open-minded and uphold their culture and identity. For example, amapiano is the preferred music genre in most nightlife spots.

When it comes to food, South Africa produces the best quality meat in Africa by far. Listen, the steak meals are to die for. Some people would fly to South Africa just to get meat, and I’m not kidding. On the downside, the majority of South African cuisine lacks seasoning or spice (compared to Ghanaian food). South Africans aren’t big on spice and pepper, and that’s worth taking note of.

Best Time To Visit South Africa

I have experienced both the South African summer and winter, and I tell you what, summer feels like heaven. Anytime between September and May is ideal for visiting South Africa. The coldest time of the year starts from June and lasts till mid-September

Your 7-Day First-Timer Itinerary

For your first time in South Africa, here’s an ideal 7-day itinerary.

Day 1

• If you’re flying direct, you should arrive at 5 am earliest. Take a nap to be refreshed

• Visit Four Ways Farmers Market. It’s open every Saturday and Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm

Day 2

• Red Bus City Tour of Joburg

• Visit Soweto

• Apartheid Museum

• Visit Maboneng Precinct

Day 3

• Visit Joburg Zoo

• Gold Reef City for all day adventure

Day 4

• Fly to Cape Town

• Wine + Chocolate Tasting at Groot Constantia

• Check Out Chef's Warehouse For Dining

• Cabo Beach Club for late night

Day 5

• Table Mountain cable ride and tour

• Explore Bo-Kaap

• Chill at Camps Bay Beach

• Nightlife at the Souk CPT

Day 7

• Atlantis Sand Dunes Quadbiking

• V & A Waterfront

• Paragliding at Signal Hill

Should You Go? Final Thoughts

This should do for now, for a more detailed South Africa checklist (includes pricing, inside scoop, contacts, etc.), download the first-timers guide here. I promise I made it with you in mind. Get it once and for all and save yourself the stress of planning your South Africa vacation.