Heading off to South Africa? It’s crucial to check if you’ll need a travel adaptor before you jet off.
Many countries sport different types of sockets and plugs compared to what we’re used to in the UK. Here’s everything you need to know about the plugs and sockets for your trip to South Africa.
Do You Need a Travel Adaptor?
❗ Yes, you’ll need a travel adaptor in South Africa.
Key Takeways
- 🔌 The sockets in South Africa are type C, D, M, and N.
- ⚡️ The voltage is 230V and the frequency is 50Hz.
- 🌎 You’ll need a travel adaptor for any UK electricals.
- 🔋 No need for a voltage converter for devices.
The Travel Adaptor You Need
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In South Africa, type M sockets are primarily used. You’ll also occasionally need type C and N. Type D, on the other hand, is quite rare, so you won’t need to worry about that. Unfortunately, there isn’t a travel adaptor out there that fits all types of sockets. In this case, you’re going to need two of them.
Sockets in South Africa
When you travel to South Africa, you’ll encounter type C, D, M, and N sockets. So, make sure you’ve got a travel adaptor if you’re coming from the UK.
Type C

Type C socket also work with type E and F plugs.
Type D

Type G plugs don’t work with type D sockets.
Type M

Type M sockets have three round pins and are therefore not suitable for type G.
Type N

Type C plugs also work with type N sockets.
Do You Need a Voltage Converter in South Africa?
✅ No, you don’t need a voltage converter.
In South Africa, the mains voltage is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. This matches the 230V and 50Hz in the UK, so your electrical devices will work there without any issues.
A voltage converter is not necessary. Always consult the manual of your device. If it says ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz‘, it’s often suitable for worldwide use, which is quite common these days.