South Africa

Studying an English course in South Africa gives you the unique opportunity to know the South African country's culture and traditions, live with a native South African family, have a total immersion in the language, and learn English better and faster.

Learning English in South Africa is the best way to have a total immersion in the language, culture and history of South Africa, where you will be fascinated by the nature and hospitality of its people.

Tourism in South Africa has risen every year since the disappearance of Apartheid, becoming one of the country's most important sources of income. South Africa is a world leader in responsible tourism.

We have schools to learn English in South Africa in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.

The Republic of South Africa has been a sovereign country with a parliamentary and democratic government since 1994.

Cape Town is the capital of South Africa, with 5.3 million inhabitants.

Johannesburg is the most populated city, with 10.5 million inhabitants.

79% of the South African population is coloured.

Mandela fought for the rights of all.

South Africa has three capitals. The legislative capital is Cape Town, the judicial capital is Bloemfontein, and the administrative capital is Pretoria.

South Africa has 2,800 Kilometers of coastline and more than 400 nature reserves and parks, making it the ideal place to take an English course in South Africa if you like flora and fauna.

Mandela was released from prison after 27 years which was the beginning of the end of Apartheid in the 90s.

Recommendations before going to do an English course in South Africa

• No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days maximum, only a valid passport, with an expiration date of at least one month after the return date and at least two blank pages for stamping the visa.
• There are direct flights from Madrid to Johannesburg with Iberia. To fly directly to Cape Town, you must do it from Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris or Zurich airports.
• Private healthcare in South Africa is excellent but very expensive, so it is essential to book travel insurance (medical, travel and civil liability insurance).
• There are no mandatory vaccines to go to South Africa, although it is recommended to have Hepatitis A and B vaccines, typhoid fever or tetanus.
• If you come from/through a country or area affected by yellow fever, you must present a vaccination certificate to enter South African territory.
• Countries in the yellow fever belt in Africa: Angola, Burundi, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda.
• Countries in the yellow fever belt in South America: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Surinam, Venezuela, Argentina and Paraguay.
• You can go to South Africa any time of the year; every season has things to teach us. The months of December and January are the most concurrent and expensive, so it is advisable to avoid them if possible.
• The electricity is at 220V and 50Hz throughout the country, and the sockets are D type and M three-pin, so you need a plug adapter to the European or international plug.
• 80% of South Africans are Catholics.
• The country's currency is the Rand (ZAR), although it is best to carry cash in Euros or US dollars in addition to a credit or debit card. There is no cash limit that you can enter South Africa. ATMs are in all cities; only you have to take precautions when you take out money.
• Tips in tourist areas are between 10 and 15%.
• South Africa's climate is temperate, with many hours of sunshine daily.
• Drive on the left in South Africa, so the driver is sitting on the right side of the vehicle.

Security in South Africa

Most tourists who travel to South Africa do not suffer significant incidents, and the authorities try to protect them. It is necessary to take into account that there is a very high degree of delinquency, which is sometimes violent, so we must take into account some basic recommendations when travelling to South Africa:

• It is recommended to have photocopies of the documentation (passport, driving license, airline tickets, travel insurance) in a different place from the originals; it is handy in case of theft or loss of the originals.
• It is not advisable to go out on the street with a large amount of money in cash and avoid ostentation of purchasing power type jewellery, phones, cameras etc.
• You must be very careful when taking cash from ATMs on the street, as there are data thefts and identities for subsequent fraudulent use. In restaurants, never lose sight of the card when you make the payment; come with the POS to the table or go to the cashier to make the payment but do not lose sight of the card.
• Avoid the city centres from dusk and never move walking at night. It is essential to stay in a group and only use the taxis recommended by the hotels.
• Uber is usually a safe and efficient method of travel; however, due to attacks against Uber drivers, its use is discouraged near airports and train stations.
• It is recommended to inform the school of the logs to be avoided and the safe itineraries and means of transport that can be used or not used. For example, townships should only be visited with specialised guides.
• An international driving license is recommended if you rent a car in South Africa. When it is time to circulate, it is convenient that the windows and door locks remain closed and that there are no valuables in visible parts from the outside. Be cautious at the entrances from the motorways since they are familiar places of robberies and in areas designated as "Hijack Hotspot". It is also recommended always to park the car in restricted areas, preferably guarded and never park on the street at night.
• You must remember that you drive on the left in South Africa.
• It is recommended that the rental car insurance includes towing and towing services and that towing services that appear at the scene of the accident are not accepted without being required.
• Digital cartography in South Africa is excellent, so you can move with GPS navigators without a problem.
• The legislation establishes that the police can arrest a driver suspected of drunken driving and that, in case of not having a breathalyser (few in many areas), he has the right to draw blood to check this point. In this case, it is wise to demand a qualified doctor or nurse.
• Carrying a mobile phone in an emergency is always very convenient, although you should avoid leaving it in plain sight.

What to see in South Africa

• You can see the history of South Africa from 100 years until 1994 at the Apartheid Museum. 1994 is the year of the democratic transition, with particular attention to Apartheid.
• Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden was created in 1913 in the foothills of Table Mountain (Cape Town) and is the most extensive garden in South Africa, with 528 hectares (1,300 acres).
• Kruger National Park (Kruger National Park) was created in 1926, with an extension of 19,485 square kilometres (the extension of 1 million football fields), with dimensions of 360 kilometres from north to south and 65 kilometres from this. To the west is the largest national park in South Africa.
• Cape Town. It is the most developed and multicultural city in South Africa. Cape Town has an exclusive enclave between Table Mountain and the paradisiacal beaches of fine white sand.
• Table Moutain is in Cape Town, is in the South African flag and has been one of the world's seven natural wonders since 2011. It is one of the icons of the country and with spectacular views of Cape Town.
• Robben Island, where the jail of Robben Islan (in the Dutch island of seals), is where political prisoners of Apartheid, among which Nelson Mandela figures. This island is 12 kilometres from Cape Town.
• Tsitsikamma National Park is an ideal place for hiking, 80 km.