- Lock your vehicles and hotel rooms - Don't carry around large amounts of cash - Avoiding walking around at night
Yes, you will need a power adaptor for all your electronic devices. Most outlets in SA are type M (types C and N are used too) so we recommend something like this https://www.amazon.com/Ceptics-Africa-Namibia-Travel-Adapter/dp/B01MTCEAQ2/ref=sr_1_19?dchild=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtdeFBhBAEiwAKOIy5xfv_jcWNyYWKHnHd5lU2Z00Wlup5rNl3WClGGMY9RbxiK5XeyeNKxoCp4sQAvD_BwE&hvadid=177335632310&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9015253&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12785498645390167976&hvtargid=kwd-6510122644&hydadcr=18942_9700892&keywords=power+adapter+for+south+africa&qid=1622555321&sr=8-19
While you might want to carry some Rands for tipping, most places will accept cards - credit or debit cards - so it is not necessary to carry large amounts of cash on your person. Using your card should cost much the same as it does in the US, but check with your bank to verify. You will also need to notify your bank of your intended travel so that they can authorise your card for use internationally.
The accepted tipping rate in South Africa is 10% of the bill.
No, you will not an "international license" to rent a car in SA. Your US driver's license will be sufficient to drive legally in SA. An "international license" is simply a document that confirms that the license you have in the US is recognised in SA - it does not allow you to do anything that you are not already allowed to do.
In SA you will discover that we have "car guards". These are individuals who monitor parking areas to keep an eye on parked vehicles and who will often help direct you in and out of parking spots. It is typical to tip them between R5-R10. Please still be sure to lock you vehicle and to place valuable objects left in the vehicle out of sight.
You will frequently encounter street vendors throughout South Africa, and especially in tourist areas like the beaches in Cape Town or the craft market in Franschhoek. While they don't usually pose a threat to your safety, but they can be quite persistent about selling their wares, or asking for donations. It is advisable to not engage with them, and to simply rebut their solicitations. Should you decide that you would like to make a purchase, just remember that the price is always negotiable and you will likely encounter another vendor selling much the same articles.