How to get a South Africa visa from Mauritius

South Africa is often portrayed by international media as a dangerous place to visit, and certainly, the country struggles with a high rate of violent crime. However, thousands of visitors travel to South Africa every year without incident, and the rewards of doing so are rich.

The economy of South Africa is the second-largest in Africa, after Nigeria. South Africa is an upper-middle-income economy by the World Bank – one of only four such countries in Africa (alongside Botswana, Gabon, and Mauritius).

South Africa is a third world country - the first world is the developed countries in North America and western Europe; the second world was the old Soviet block and China, and the third world is the rest. Much of its economy is developed (first world), but most of the people are impoverished.

South Africa's currency is the South African rand. When traveling in South Africa, it's smart to carry both ZAR and US dollars. Many of Africa's national parks will only accept US dollars for their entry fees, and some tourist activities, like safaris and other tours, will require that you pay and tip in USD.

While the cost of living is cheap in South Africa compared with other developed countries, it is relative to the average monthly disposable salary of R16,190 (£752). Accommodation costs have risen sharply in South Africa in recent years, particularly in the Western Cape and larger cities.