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Tourism is on the rise in South Africa according to the local government, with more than four million tourists visiting the nation in the first half of 2023 alone. Australians form a sizable chunk of those numbers, with an estimated 125,000 Australians touring the country each year pre-pandemic.
With travel still high on the agenda for many Australians, that figure is expected to rise in the coming years.
If you’re considering a trip to South Africa, you’ll want to purchase travel insurance. Our guide explains everything you need to know.
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Fast Cover Travel Insurance
Medical cover
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Cancellations
Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)
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Cover-More Travel Insurance
Medical cover
Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental
Cancellations
Yes, amount chosen by customer
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Southern Cross Travel Insurance
Medical Cover
Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs
Cancellations
$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited
Do I Need Travel Insurance for South Africa?
Yes, Australians should purchase travel insurance for South Africa. While not a legal requirement to enter the country, it is highly recommended from the Australian government—especially for medical care.
The standard of medical facilities in South Africa can vary by region, but medical facilities are generally of a much lower standard than Australia. In fact, many regional hospitals only provide basic facilities, meaning you may have to be relocated in order to receive the right medical attention.
There is no shared healthcare agreement between Australia and South Africa, which makes travel insurance even more essential. If you need to be transferred by air evacuation to a major city in order to receive treatment, and you don’t have travel insurance, you’ll likely face a hefty bill out of your own pocket.
As Smartraveller advises all Australians, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.
Vaccinations to Consider for Your Trip to South Africa
There is a high risk of certain diseases in South Africa, so it is worth making sure your vaccinations are up to date before you travel and taking any preventative measures with you, such as medications.
This can help reduce your chances of needing to seek medical attention.
There is a risk of Hepatitis A and B throughout South Africa, so vaccinations for Australian travellers are recommended. There is also a moderate risk for most travellers of typhoid, so a vaccination is also recommended if you are travelling to smaller cities, villages and rural areas.
Malaria is present throughout the country, so it could be a good idea to equip yourself with malaria tablets before you travel.
It is essential that you consult a medical practitioner regarding your need for vaccinations before you travel to South Africa, especially as some medical conditions can predispose travellers to certain infections.
What Does Travel Insurance for South Africa Cover?
When purchasing a travel insurance policy for South Africa, you will have the option to choose a basic policy or a comprehensive policy. A basic policy is cheaper, but may turn out to be more expensive in the long run if you aren’t covered for the things you need.
While a basic policy will usually cover medical needs, it may not provide cover for things such as lost luggage and cancellations (or, if it does, will provide it at a much lower claim level).
That’s why a comprehensive policy is highly recommended for travel to South Africa, as you will receive cover for stolen items, lost luggage, delays and more, in addition to medical and emergency dental care.
Smartraveller asks Australians to exercise a high degree of caution due to the threat of violent crime in South Africa, which includes robbery and carjacking.
The government website warns that opportunistic criminals will target travellers at the approaches to tourist-hotspot Kruger National Park, at well-known resorts, and on public transport.
Additionally, as ATM and credit card fraud are common crimes in South Africa, a comprehensive policy can be the more financially sound choice to give you peace of mind.
Going on a Safari?
South Africa is a popular tourist region for many reasons, including wildlife safaris. If you wish to partake in a safari or a game walk—walking with wild animals and a professional guide—you will need to ensure that these activities are covered in your policy’s list of included sports and activities.
If they are not, you will not receive cover for anything that occurs during the safari.
However, your policy may offer the option for you to choose an ‘adventure pack’ at an additional cost, which can include many activities that aren’t covered in the standard offering.
This can also include hiking or trekking to certain altitudes.
It’s important to consider which activities you may be participating in during your trip to South Africa in order to ensure you have the appropriate coverage, and purchase an additional add-on if necessary.
What Travel Insurance Won’t Cover
Your travel insurance policy won’t cover anything that is set out in its exclusions, as per the product disclosure statement (PDS). This could include certain sports and activities (such as a safari), or travel to certain regions in South Africa due to safety.
While each travel insurance policy differs on the fine-print, it is standard for most policies not to cover:
- Cancellations due to ‘disinclination to travel’, being if you change your mind about your holiday;
- Accidents or injuries that occur when not following the appropriate safety guidance or official guidelines;
- Intoxicated behaviour, including recreational drugs;
- Any illegal activity.
Be sure to carefully read the PDS of your policy so you know exactly what you can and cannot claim on your trip to South Africa.
Featured Partners
1
Fast Cover Travel Insurance
Medical cover
Unlimited, 24/7 Emergency Assistance
Cancellations
Unlimited, (Trip Disruption $50,000)
Key Features
25-Day Cooling Off Period, Australian Based Call Centre, 4.6 Star Product Review Rating
2
Cover-More Travel Insurance
Medical cover
Unlimited, with a $2000 limit to dental
Cancellations
Yes, amount chosen by customer
3
Southern Cross Travel Insurance
Medical Cover
Including medical treatment, doctors’ visits, prescribed medication, specialist treatment & medical transport costs
Cancellations
$2,500 with option to increase to unlimited
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to travel to South Africa?
Smartraveller recommends that Australians exercise a high degree of caution when travelling to South Africa, due to the threat of violent crime. This includes armed robbery, mugging, carjacking, credit card theft, and more.
There is a higher risk of violent crime in major cities after dark, or during “rolling blackout” periods.
For these reasons (and more), Smartraveller urges Australians to take out a travel insurance policy before travelling to South Africa.
Do Australians need a visa for South Africa?
No, Australians do not need a visa for South Africa if they are visiting for tourism for stays of up to 90 days.
Where can I buy travel insurance for South Africa?
Most Australian travel insurance providers will cover Aussies wanting to head abroad to South Africa. When shopping around for a policy, you will be able to choose your destination when you request a quote. If there is no option to choose South Africa, this would be a clear indicator that the insurance provider does not provide policies to this region.
At the time of writing, a few of our top picks for comprehensive travel insurance cover South Africa, including Allianz and Cover-More.
Travel insurance providers can revoke the issuing of new policies to certain destinations at any time, especially if Smartraveller changes the alert warning for a country to ‘Do Not Travel’.
