Travel insurance for South Africa from £17.50^
Key takeaways
The average cost of travel insurance for South Africa is £34.29
^ Travel insurance is strongly recommended for a trip to South Africa and it protects you from medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and more
South Africa offers many adventure sports, which may not be included under a standard travel insurance policy
Do I need travel insurance for South Africa?
Holiday insurance is not a legal requirement. But without it you will be personally responsible for paying all the costs if something goes wrong with your trip.
Travel insurance can financially protect you if your holiday to South Africa is unexpectedly cancelled, you need medical treatment while travelling, or your valuables are lost, damaged or stolen.
According to 2025 data from the Association of British Insurers:
British residents had to make 500,000+
^ claims on their travel insurance in 2025The most common reason for claiming was to cover unexpected medical expenses, with an average insurance payout of £1,528
^ In contrast, you can find travel insurance to South Africa from just £5.88
^
If you’re travelling to South Africa for major events such as the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town (10 to 12 April 2026), Comic Con Cape Town (30 April to 3 May 2026), or music festivals like Rocking the Daisies (usually held in September or October), make sure your travel insurance provides appropriate cover. This can help protect you against medical emergencies, cancellations, travel delays or lost belongings during your trip.
South Africa travel advice
Still current at: 19 Jun 2026
When travelling to South Africa, ensure your passport is valid for at least 30 days after your departure date and has two blank pages; UK citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business. Be aware of a high crime rate, including violent muggings and carjacking, especially after dark, and take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. Additionally, be mindful of potential terrorist activity and political protests which can escalate, and always stay informed of local news and advice from authorities.
When travelling to South Africa, ensure your passport is valid for at least 30 days after your departure date and has two blank pages; UK citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism or business. Be aware of a high crime rate, including violent muggings and carjacking, especially after dark, and take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. Additionally, be mindful of potential terrorist activity and political protests which can escalate, and always stay informed of local news and advice from authorities.
This is an AI-generated summary of UK government travel advice. Check the FCDO website for complete information.
What type of travel insurance do I need for South Africa?
South Africa is covered under worldwide travel insurance policies.
The specific type of policy you need depends on your travel plans:
One trip to South Africa only
If you are only visiting South Africa, choose single-trip travel insurance and select South Africa as your destination.
One trip to South Africa and other countries
Combining a holiday in South Africa with visits to other countries, perhaps on a cruise to Mauritius or Mozambique?
Single-trip travel insurance can cover multiple countries as long as:
You don’t head home in-between countries. For that you need multi-trip insurance.
You are not away for a long time (policy-dependent, but usually a month). For that, you need backpackers’ insurance.
Several holidays throughout the year
You might save money by selecting an annual multi-trip travel insurance policy.
Travelling with a medical condition
You can get travel insurance with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
How much is travel insurance for South Africa?
The average cost of travel insurance for a single trip to South Africa is£37.50
Traveller(s) | 7 day trip | 14 day trip |
|---|---|---|
Individual | £15.78 | £28.93 |
Couple | £44.99 | £66.20 |
Family | N/A | £61.87 |
Group | £57.72 | £89.69 |
The figures in this table are the averages of the costs paid by MoneySuperMarket customers over the last three months.
Can I get last minute travel insurance for South Africa?
Yes, it is possible to get last-minute travel insurance up to the day of your departure, although not all insurance providers will offer this.
You can buy last minute travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
Is it cheaper to buy travel insurance closer to my departure date?
No, it is usually more expensive to buy travel insurance last-minute.
If possible you should buy your holiday insurance as soon as you book your trip. That way you'll be covered if you have to cancel your holiday to South Africa.
What should my travel insurance policy for South Africa include?
Standard travel insurance will usually cover:
Illness and accidents
Trip and activity cancellations
Lost luggage (including your passport)
Theft including pickpocketing
Repatriation (bringing you home if you are seriously injured, ill or dead)
Personal liability (you are responsible for accidentally harming someone or their property)
🚩Different travel insurance policies have different inclusions and exclusions. You should always read your documents and check what you're covered for.
What isn't covered by travel insurance for South Africa?
Typical exclusions include:
Undeclared pre-existing medical conditions
'Unforeseeable' disasters including terrorism, war, strikes and natural disasters
Alcohol and drug-related incidents
Travel to areas advised against by the government (found on the FCDO website)
Adventure or winter sports
💡 Top tip: You can upgrade your insurance to include add-ons like winter sports, gadget cover and travel disruption cover.
Medical care in South Africa
British citizens will be required to pay for medical care if they need it while visiting South Africa. That’s why it’s important to have travel insurance, which can cover these costs and more.
You won’t be able to use a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) here.
Can I get travel insurance for South Africa if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Yes, you can get travel insurance cover with a pre-existing medical condition, but it may be more expensive than a standard policy.
A pre-existing condition is any medical issue for which you had symptoms, medication, medical advice, treatment, or tests before you took out your insurance policy. It includes mental health conditions and disabilities.
You must disclose all pre-existing medical conditions. If you don't, your insurer can refuse to pay out for a claim.
You can buy medical travel insurance through MoneySuperMarket.
Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
You do not need a visa to visit South Africa if you have a full UK passport and your trip is up to 90 days.
🚩 Visa requirements for a country can change. For the most up-to-date information, check the UK government’s foreign travel advice website.
Do I need vaccinations to visit South Africa?
The NHS Fit for Travel website recommends that your regular vaccinations are up to date before you travel to South Africa, including your flu and Covid-19 vaccines if you are eligible for these.
It’s also advised you have the Hepatitis A and Diphtheria vaccinations.
Some tourists also have the following vaccinations before arriving in South Africa: Hepatitis B, Rabies, Tetanus and Typhoid.
🚩 Vaccination recommendations may be different for individuals with specific health conditions. We recommend speaking to your doctor before travelling.
What travel insurance do I need for going on safari in South Africa?
You may need to take out adventure sports cover. Standard travel insurance policies do not always cover riskier activities such as encounters with wild animals. You may be able to add adventure sports cover to your existing travel insurance for a fee.
🚩 Most safari companies will insist you have travel insurance
What travel insurance do I need for snorkelling or diving with sharks in South Africa?
Your standard travel insurance policy will not usually cover you high-risk or adventurous water sports, which may include snorkelling, diving, or jet skiing. However, every policy is different so you will need to check what is, and what isn’t, covered with yours.
If you’re not covered for water sports, you will have to buy an add on.
What travel insurance do I need for hiking in South Africa?
You may need to buy adventure sports cover for hiking in South Africa. Standard travel insurance policies often will not cover more extreme activities like rock climbing, mountaineering or hiking above a certain height or in riskier locations.
You can usually add adventure sports cover to your existing travel insurance for a fee.
How do I claim on my travel insurance?
Report the incident you want to claim for to your insurer as soon as possible
If something is stolen, report it to the local police within 24 hours and get a report
Keep records of what has happened, including photos or videos and the contact details of anyone involved
➡️ Learn more: How to make a claim on your travel insurance.
Where can I get cheap travel insurance for South Africa?
With MoneySuperMarket you can compare quotes from up to 42 different travel insurers, helping you find the best price for the level of cover you want.
Plus, we offer our travel insurance customers rewards! Get a voucher worth up to £5
Just sign up to our free SuperSaveClub
💡 Top tip: Looking for travel insurance for another destination? Check out our travel insurance destination guide hub.
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