Get ready for your South Africa adventure
South Africa offers a mix of wildlife, culture, cuisine and breathtaking landscapes — and preparing your travel budget in the South African Rand (ZAR) helps you enjoy it all from day one. While large cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg are well-equipped for card payments, cash is still widely used for safaris, markets, tipping, guided tours, local transport and rural experiences.
Booking your Rand in advance ensures you get a fair, transparent exchange rate and avoid higher fees sometimes found at South African airports or tourist areas. With Prosegur Change, you can reserve ZAR online with 0% commission and pick it up easily across Australia.
What to expect from your daily budget in South Africa
South Africa is known for being excellent value for Australian travelers. Costs can vary between regions, so planning ahead helps keep your spending predictable and stress-free.
- Food & Drinks: eating out in South Africa is great value — local cafés and bakeries cost around 60–120 ZAR, while mid-range restaurants range between 150 and 300 ZAR per meal. A local beer or soft drink usually costs 40–70 ZAR.
- Transport: getting around is affordable — minibus taxis cost 20–40 ZAR, airport transfers are 200–450 ZAR, and local bus fares range from 50 to 120 ZAR.
- Experiences & Attractions: expect to pay 100–200 ZAR for museums, 300–600 ZAR for nature reserves, and anywhere from 1,000 to 2,500 ZAR for guided safari experiences depending on duration and quality.
- Accommodation: budget guesthouses typically cost 350–700 ZAR per night, while standard hotels range from 900 to 2,200 ZAR.
Traveler tip: some ATMs in South Africa add fixed withdrawal fees for foreign cards. Bringing ZAR from Australia avoids unnecessary charges.
Must-see destinations in South Africa
Whether you're visiting for wildlife, coastline, history or food, South Africa has something for every kind of traveler.
Carrying Rand will make it easier to enjoy street markets, informal transport, and local vendors.
- Cape Town: Table Mountain cableway, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Bo-Kaap, Cape Point.
- Johannesburg & Soweto: Apartheid Museum, Vilakazi Street, Constitution Hill.
- Kruger National Park: Guided safaris, nature walks, game drives in one of Africa’s top wildlife regions.
- The Garden Route: Scenic coastal villages from Mossel Bay to Tsitsikamma — ideal for road trips.
- Durban & KwaZulu-Natal: Golden Mile beachfront, Zulu culture, Indian-inspired cuisine.
About the South African Rand
The South African Rand (ZAR) has been the country’s official currency since 1961. It is used not only in South Africa but also accepted in parts of Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini.
Denominations of the South African Rand
South Africa remains a cash-friendly country, especially in smaller towns and rural provinces, where informal vendors and transport often prefer notes and coins.
ATMs are widely available in major cities, though some apply for foreign withdrawal fees. Stick to machines located in banks or secure shopping centers for safety.
- Banknotes: 10 ZAR, 20 ZAR, 50 ZAR, 100 ZAR, 200 ZAR
Featuring: Nelson Mandela, “Big Five” wildlife series (lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo).
- Coins: 10c, 20c, 50c, 1 ZAR, 2 ZAR, 5 ZAR
Featuring national symbols, flora and fauna.
FAQs about South African Rand (ZAR)
Here are the most common questions Australian travelers ask before converting AUD to ZAR.
Most travelers get a better deal exchanging in Australia. Airport kiosks in South Africa often add higher margins.
Ordering ZAR online in advance with Prosegur Change lets you secure a standarized rate and avoid surprises.
For a 1–2-week trip, many visitors carry 1,500–3,000 ZAR for small purchases, taxis, and rural activities. For hotels and restaurants, cards are widely accepted.
Yes, tipping guides, paying local snack stands and buying souvenirs usually require cash. Larger safari lodges accept cards.
Because the Rand fluctuates frequently, a good rate is generally one close to the mid-market range. Checking live AUD→ZAR rates on the Prosegur Change website is the best way to decide when to buy.
Tipping is widely expected.
- Restaurants: 10–15%
- Safari guides: 50–100 ZAR per day (optional)
- Drivers & porters: 5–20 ZAR
Travelling soon?
Here's how to easily reserve your currencies online
1. Choose your currency
Determine the amount of travel money you will need to enjoy your trip.
2. Choose a date & a pick-up location
Collect your order from one of our exchange bureaus at major airports and city centre.
3. Collect & pay
Pay upon pickup and enjoy
your trip.
Enjoy the best AUD to ZAR rate with Prosegur Change
When exchanging AUD to Rand, you benefit from:
- Competitive online exchange rates
- 0% commission on all online orders
- Easy pickup at branches in airports and city centres
- Safe, regulated service backed by 30+ years of experience
Reserve your travel money online, lock in your rate, and collect your ZAR before flying — simple and secure.