Is South Africa Open for Tourists

Is South Africa Open for Tourists? – Latest Travel Restrictions

Last update: 09/16/2023

South Africa has been open to international travel since October 1, 2020. Tourists from any country can visit as long as they enter by air, which makes South Africa one of the best countries that are open for international tourism.

Entry requirements for South Africa are as follows: all travelers must present a medical certificate with a negative COVID-19 PCR test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure. As long as they present this medical certificate, they will not need to quarantine upon arrival in South Africa.

Travelers also need to download the COVID Alert SA app, and undergo a health screening on arrival.

Can I travel to South Africa right now?

South Africa is allowing travelers from all countries to visit as long as they arrive by air. Below is a map of all the countries that can visit South Africa right now.

South Africa Placeholder
South Africa

Travelers from any country can currently visit South Africa.

South Africa has not banned travelers from any country.

South Africa COVID-19 travel restrictions

South Africa has implemented several entry requirements for visitors in order to keep both tourists and residents safe.

Is South Africa open for tourists

South Africa COVID-19 travel restrictions and entry requirements

All travelers are required to present a medical certificate for a negative PCR COVID test result that was obtained within 72 hours of departure. If you do not present this certificate upon arrival, you will have to get tested on arrival. If that test is positive, you will have to self-isolate for 10 days at your own expense.

You will also need to download the COVID Alert SA app. When you arrive in South Africa, you will undergo a health screening.

Is PCR testing mandatory to travel to South Africa?

To visit South Africa, you must present a medical certificate for a negative PCR test that was taken within 72 hours of your departure.

If you do not have a certificate for a negative PCR test, you will be subject to an antigen test on arrival. If that test is positive, you will have to self-isolate for 10 days at your own expense.

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in South Africa?

There is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival in South Africa as long as you have a medical certificate for a negative PCR test that was taken within 72 hours of your departure.

Without this certificate, you will have to undergo testing on arrival. If your test result is positive, you will be required to self-isolate for 10 days at your own expense.

South Africa latest travel restrictions

Is there a mandatory quarantine upon arrival in South Africa?

Travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit South Africa

It is not mandatory to have travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage to visit South Africa, but you should always travel with some kind of travel health insurance. That way, you’ll be covered no matter what happens, whether it’s illness, theft, or a missed flight.

If you’re looking for travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage, I highly recommend Heymondo. We always use their policies when we travel because they offer extensive coverage for COVID-19 testing and treatment abroad at a great price. You can even save 5% on their policies just for being our reader!

COVID-19 vaccine to travel to South Africa

Although COVID-19 vaccine distribution has begun in most countries around the world, South Africa’s government has not yet confirmed whether it will be mandatory to present a proof of vaccine record (POVR) or an international certificate of vaccination or prophylaxis (ICVP) to enter South Africa.

If you’re going to get the COVID-19 vaccine before traveling to South Africa, I recommend taking a copy of a vaccination record or certificate with you in case South Africa changes its entry requirements.

Other travel restrictions for South Africa during COVID-19

There are a few other travel restrictions for visitors to South Africa:

  • All travelers will undergo a health screening on arrival.
  • Face masks are required in all public areas. Failure to wear a mask is considered a criminal offense and is punishable by law.
  • Social distancing guidelines of 2 meters must be observed.
  • You may need a tourist visa to visit South Africa. Check if you need one below.

What’s open in South Africa

South Africa’s restrictions have recently tightened now that the country has gone into COVID Alert Level 3. However, hotels are still open at full capacity and beaches, restaurants, and attractions are all open.

Hotels that are open in South Africa

There are plenty of options for places to stay in South Africa, since hotels and accommodations are open and are allowed to operate at full capacity.

The best options available right now are:

Guests must wear masks at all times in public areas and keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters away from others in common areas.

More information on hotel and accommodation regulations is available here.

Beaches that are open in South Africa

Beaches in South Africa are currently open, so you’re free to soak up some sun and go for a dip in the sea.

Beaches must close by 9 PM. Beachgoers should keep 2 meters away from others and wear masks when they are entering and exiting the beach.

You can find more information on these regulations here.

Attractions that are open in South Africa

Many attractions in South Africa are open right now, including museums and game parks.

South Africa COVID-19 entry requirements

Attractions that are open in South Africa

Museums, movie theaters, casinos, theaters, botanical gardens, aquariums, zoos, and game parks are all open until 9 PM.

These are our favorite attractions/tours that are operating right now:

Visitors to all these attractions must wear masks at all times and keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters away from others who are not in their family group.

More information on regulations for attractions can be found here.

Restaurants and bars that are open in South Africa

Restaurants in South Africa are currently open for dine-in, takeout, and delivery, but, in accordance with lockdown rules, they close at 9 PM. Bars are also open.

Restaurants will be laid out so that there is a minimum of 1.5 meters between different groups. Restaurant capacity is restricted to either 50% or 50 people indoors/100 people outdoors. Customers should wear masks when they are not eating or drinking.

More information on restaurant regulations is available here and here.

Airports that are open in South Africa

International travel has been restricted to five international airports, OR Tambo International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, Lanseria International Airport, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, and Cape Town International Airport, all of which are currently open.

COVID-19 testing in South Africa

Airports that are open in South Africa

All travelers must wear masks and abide by social distancing guidelines. They will also be subject to health screenings on arrival.

Curfew in South Africa

South Africa has a daily curfew from 10 PM to 4 AM until further notice.

COVID-19 testing in South Africa

Your country may require you to take a PCR test in order to fly back home. If you need to get a PCR test in South Africa, you can find information on testing here.

South Africa reopening its borders to tourists – F.A.Q.

Check out these FAQs related to South Africa reopening for tourists and let us know if you have any other questions in the comments below.

Yes, you can travel to South Africa from any country right now.

There are currently 145,000+ active cases and 82,000+ deaths due to COVID-19 in South Africa as of today. The CDC classifies travel to South Africa as “Level 4- Very High Risk.” If you have a pre-existing condition or any health condition that could increase your chances of serious illness, do not travel to South Africa. Additionally, even if you are not high-risk, you might want to reconsider travel to South Africa.

 

No, travelers from all countries can visit South Africa.

No, there is no mandatory quarantine upon arrival in South Africa as long as you have a medical certificate for a negative PCR COVID-19 test result that was obtained within 72 hours of your departure. If you don’t, you will have to get tested on arrival and will have to self-isolate if you test positive.

Yes, you must present a medical certificate for a negative PCR COVID-19 test result that was obtained within 72 hours of your departure.

Yes, there is a daily curfew in South Africa from 10 PM to 4 AM.

 

No, there are no restrictions on intercity and interregional travel.

Yes, hotels in South Africa are open and operating at full capacity.

Yes, South Africa’s airports are open, although international travel has been restricted to five airports: OR Tambo International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, Lanseria International Airport, and Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

Yes, restaurants and bars in South Africa are open until 9 PM daily.

Yes, beaches are open until 9 PM.

 

Yes, many attractions are open, including game parks, zoos, and museums.

Yes, South Africa is open to American tourists. However, the US State Department has issued a Level 4 – Do Not Travel advisory for South Africa, so we do not recommend traveling there at the moment.

 

Yes, Canadians can visit South Africa right now.

Sources

We will update this guide on South Africa reopening to tourism with any new developments. If you need more information on travel to South Africa, you can check these official sources:

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CHIEF ADVENTURER, TRAVEL GURU, AND MASTER PLANNER AT CAPTURE THE ATLAS
Hey there, I'm Ascen, your personal trip planner on a mission to help you craft the most incredible adventure of your life. While I'm based in Las Vegas, you won't find me there often. As a full-time traveler, I'm always on the go, exploring new destinations and capturing the world through my lens. From the enchanting shores of Almeria, Spain, where I grew up, to the far reaches of the globe, I'm here to provide you with detailed travel guides and practical tips to make your trip planning a breeze. Find out more about me here.

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