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Unmapped.

COUNTRY GUIDE

South Africa

Mountains, two oceans and very different cities, better with people to share them.

Working in Johannesburg, studying in Cape Town or road-tripping along the coast: Unmapped helps you find your city, meet travelers, expats and locals, and join or start things together.

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A cable car above a sea of clouds with Lion's Head rising behind it, Cape Town
Table Mountain cableway and Lion's Head, Cape Town. Photo: Thomas Bennie / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

BASICS

Before you go.

Language
12 official languages
Including isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, English, Sepedi and South African Sign Language. English is widely used in business and travel.
Currency
South African rand (R, ZAR)
Cards and tap payments are widely accepted in cities. Keep some cash for markets and tips.
Time zone
South African Standard Time, UTC+2
One time zone, no daylight saving time.
Power
Type M and N plugs, 230 V
The large round three-pin plug is common, and newer sockets take the smaller type N. Adapters are easy to find.
Getting online
eSIM, SIM or Wi-Fi
Coverage is good in cities and along main routes, and patchier in rural areas.
Emergency
10111 police · 10177 ambulance
From a mobile, 112 connects to an emergency call centre.

GETTING AROUND

Easy to move, once you know how.

  • Domestic flights

    Flights link Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and other cities and save long drives.

  • Long-distance buses

    Intercity buses connect most cities and many towns.

  • In the city

    Ride-hailing apps are widely used. Gauteng has the Gautrain, and Cape Town has a bus rapid transit network.

  • Driving

    A car gives the most freedom for the coast, the Winelands and national parks. Traffic drives on the left.

CITIES TO EXPLORE

Where to start.

A few very different places to begin. You can explore any city in South Africa through Unmapped. Search for it in the app.

JohannesburgBloemfonteinDurbanGqeberhaCape Town
Featured cities in this guide. You can explore any city in South Africa in Unmapped.

GOOD TO KNOW

Small things that help.

  • Many languages

    You'll hear several languages in a single day. A few greetings in the local language are appreciated.

  • Seasons by region

    Summer runs from December to February. The Western Cape gets most of its rain in winter, much of the interior in summer.

  • Tipping

    Tipping is customary in restaurants, and car guards and fuel attendants are usually tipped too.

  • Ask locals

    Locals are the best source of advice on neighbourhoods, routes and timing, especially after dark.

  • Driving on the left

    Traffic drives on the left, and distances between towns can be long.

UNMAPPED IN SOUTH AFRICA

Arrive knowing someone.

Open your next city before you land, then use it every day you're there.

  • Meet people before you move

    Open Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban before you arrive and see who is here now, who is arriving and who lives there.

  • Ask the City Chat

    Every city can have its own City Chat. Ask about neighbourhoods, hiking trails or where to find live music.

  • Join or host something

    Find meetups and day trips, or host your own, like a Table Mountain hike, a market morning in Johannesburg or a surf session in Durban.

  • Travel together

    Share a Garden Route road trip, or post a Buddy Plan for a weekend away, a class or a night out.

FAQ

Questions about Unmapped in South Africa.

Can I use Unmapped outside the big cities?

Yes. You can explore any city in South Africa through Unmapped, and every city can become a City Hub. The cities on this page are just a few places to start.

Can I find people for a road trip?

Yes. Share your route as a trip, or post a Buddy Plan, and see who else is heading the same way.

Can locals use Unmapped too?

Yes. Unmapped is for travelers, expats and locals, and many good plans start with someone who already lives there.

Can I explore a city before I arrive?

Yes. Open your next city, see who is arriving, join the City Chat and share your travel plan before you land.

Can I host something myself?

Yes. Any member can host an event or start a project, and anyone can share a trip or a Buddy Plan.

Looking for another country? Search any city in the world.

Sources & information

Information last reviewed: October 2026Location data: GeoNames (opens in a new tab) (CC BY 4.0 (opens in a new tab))Map: Natural Earth (opens in a new tab)Photo: Thomas Bennie (opens in a new tab) / Unsplash (opens in a new tab)

Travel information can change. Please verify important information with official sources. Country guides are provided for general information and do not constitute legal, medical, immigration or other professional advice. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Unmapped is not liable for losses resulting from reliance on the information provided. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.

SOUTH AFRICA WITH UNMAPPED

Explore South Africa with Unmapped.

Find your city, meet people there and join or start something. Available on iPhone and Android.

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