Currency: South African Rand
Capital city: Cape Town (Legislative Capital), Pretoria (Administrative Capital), Bloemfontein (Judicial Capital)
Language: Afrikaans and English are the main languages
Key phrase to learn: Smaaklike ete! (Enjoy your meal!)
Time difference: South Africa is 1 hour ahead of the UK
Average flight time: 11 hours and 30 minutes to Cape Town
International phone code: +27
Emergency services number: 112
Public holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1), Human Rights Day (March 21), Good Friday (Friday before Easter), Family Day (Monday after Easter), Freedom Day (April 27), Workers’ Day (May 1), Youth Day (June 16), National Women’s Day (August 9), Heritage Day (September 24), Day of Reconciliation (December 16), Christmas Day (December 25), Day of Goodwill (December 26)
Link to FCO travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/south-africa