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Voykit pocket guide · South Africa
Alexander Bay
Skip unless you are a diamond-history or birding specialist: one night is enough to see the Orange River mouth and seal colony, then move on.
Alexander Bay is the driest town in South Africa, a former diamond-mining security zone that now opens its Orange River wetlands, seal colony and Living Museum to visitors. The town has one supermarket, a campground and a coffee shop. Most travellers use it as a stop between Port Nolloth and the Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park.
- Country
- South Africa
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (very hot), Jun–Aug (cold nights)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- ZAR
- Money
- Currency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere in cities and at lodges; carry small cash for tips.
- Daily spend
- Budget R400–700 excl. bed · Mid R700–1,200 excl. bed · High R1,200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper. Buy at the airport shop with your passport (RICA registration is required).
- Emergency
- Mobile emergency 112
- Plugs
- Types M, C, N · 230 V · 50 Hz · The big round-pin type M is rarely used elsewhere; buy a local adapter at the airport or any supermarket.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.; Fuel attendant: R5–20, more if they wash windows and check tyres.; Car guard: R5–20 when you leave.; Safari ranger and tracker: About R150–300 per guest per day for the ranger, R100–200 for the tracker — check lodge guidance.; Hotel porter: R10–20 per bag.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.
- Toilets
- Clean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at Bordeline koffie shop | R15–25 |
| Meal at Bordeline koffie shop | R40–80 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | R12–18 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- ALJ · Alexander Bay Airport
- Private aviation only; commercial flights use Springbok or Port Nolloth
Typical fares
- Port Nolloth → Alexander Bay (R382)
- about 85 km (53 mi), 1 h driveabout 53 mi (85 km), 1 h drive
- Springbok → Alexander Bay (N7, R382)
- about 120 km (75 mi), 1.5 h driveabout 75 mi (120 km), 1.5 h drive
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is small enough to walk. A car is needed to reach the Orange River mouth and seal colony.
See and do
Known for
- Orange River mouth wetlands (Ramsar site)
- Seal colony (Thursday tours)
- Diamond-mining history
- Driest town in South Africa
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Ai-Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park | Drive northeast on the R382, about 95 km (59 mi)Drive northeast on the R382, about 59 mi (95 km) | About 1.5 h |
| Port Nolloth | Drive south on the R382, about 85 km (53 mi)Drive south on the R382, about 53 mi (85 km) | About 1 h |
| Springbok | Drive southeast via the N7, about 120 km (75 mi)Drive southeast via the N7, about 75 mi (120 km) | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Pachtvlei Campground
- On the Orange River, self-service with ablutions; the only accommodation listed.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | Hallohah-loh |
| Thank you | Dankiedahn-kee |
| How much? | Hoeveel?hoo-feel |
| Where is the toilet? | Waar is die toilet?vahr is dee toy-let |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Say hello and ask how someone is before any request; avoid: Launching straight into a question
- Handshakes: Three-part African handshake with friends; a normal handshake with strangers; avoid: Refusing an offered hand
- Elders: Use Mr/Mrs or 'Mama', 'Baba' respectfully in townships and rural areas; avoid: First names with older people you have just met
- Braai invitations: Bring meat or drinks, and arrive on 'African time'; avoid: Taking over the fire
- Photos: Ask first, especially in townships and villages; avoid: Photographing children without a parent's permission
- Politics and race: Ask questions and listen; avoid: Lecturing on history or crime
Scams and watch-outs
- Seal tour requires 24-hour advance reservation.
- No petrol station in town; fill up in Port Nolloth or Springbok.
- ATMs are limited; carry cash.
- The area is remote: mobile reception may be patchy.
Remote desert town; the main risks are dehydration, heat and limited services. Carry water, fuel and cash. The seal tour is safe with a guide.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Alexander Bay yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Orange River mouth wetlands (Ramsar site)
- Seal colony (Thursday tours)
- Diamond-mining history
- Driest town in South Africa
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Alexander Bay, revision 4180717 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4180717
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Alexander Bay
Na hierdie adres, asseblief
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Mobile emergency112
Afrikaans is widely spoken; English is understood.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/alexander-bay). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.