If you intend to drive upon arrival, carry some South African coins or currency in small denominations. You can buy duty-free goods at the Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban airports. You may bring firearms into the country for hunting purposes with a temporary permit valid for the duration of the hunt. No prior clearance is required, but you should contact the airline at least two to three weeks before departure for specific details. However all medical treatment must be paid for, so you should purchase travel insurance for your stay.
Tap water is safe to drink throughout South Africa.
You can swim safely at beaches along the entire coastline. You shouldn't swim in rivers and lakes in the eastern and northern regions, as the bilharzia parasite may be in the water. Warning signs are usually posted. The Eastern Cape is bilharzia-free. No vaccinations are required of visitors coming from the United States or Canada.