Major city · South Africa
Upington
Spend 1–2 days in Upington, using it as a base for a day trip to Augrabies Falls (125 km (78 mi) west).Spend 1–2 days in Upington, using it as a base for a day trip to Augrabies Falls (78 mi (125 km) west).
Upington is a medium‑sized town on the Orange River, gateway to Augrabies Falls and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. With a small airport and good road links, a short stay lets you see the main sights and enjoy local wine and wildlife.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- ZAR
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (hot, occasional thunderstorms)
- Airport
- UTN
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Upington112 ▾
- Mobile emergency112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Upington, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?checkCurrency is the South African rand (ZAR, R), about 17–18 per US$ in 2026 (check).South Africa-wide
- SIM or eSIMVodacom and MTN have the best coverage; Cell C and Telkom are cheaper.South Africa-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities and towns; in some municipalities with failing infrastructure, ask your host.South Africa-wide
- TippingcheckRestaurant: 10–15%; check if a service charge is added for large groups.South Africa-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/M/N. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Africa-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe in town; stay vigilant on remote roads, especially after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsClean Western toilets at fuel stations (Engen, Shell, Ultra City), malls and park camps.South Africa-wide
- Emergency numbers112 Mobile emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops open daily in cities; small towns close Sunday afternoon.South Africa-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportUTN Upington Airport (Longest runway in Africa (4 900 m); limited domestic flights.).
- Getting aroundHire a car – the region is vast and public transport is limited.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeR20–R35
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km))R120–R180
- Budget bedSelf-catering unit (up to 4), a night, per roomR 800
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomR 800
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomR 1,500
A day, not counting the bed: Budget R 800 · Mid R 1,500 · High R 2,500
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- UTN Upington Airport (Longest runway in Africa (4 900 m); limited domestic flights.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Avoid
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Aug
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jun (5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) low), wettest Jun (6 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Upington: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
4 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Jul
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Aug
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
3 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Hire a car – the region is vast and public transport is limited.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Augrabies Falls
goDoor to door: ≈2 h each way
Drive west on the R360, 125 km (78 mi) (≈2 h).Drive west on the R360, 78 mi (125 km) (≈2 h).
World‑famous waterfall; entry fee R120.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h each way
Drive north on the N14, 240 km (149 mi) (≈3 h).Drive north on the N14, 149 mi (240 km) (≈3 h).
Remote park, limited facilities; consider overnight stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
La Bohème
Five‑star guesthouse a few minutes outside town, rooms from R500 per night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- R800–R1 200 excl. bed
- Mid
- R1 200–R1 800 excl. bed
- High
- R1 800+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 2 nights × R 800 | R 1,600 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × R 1,500 | R 6,000 |
| Car rental (compact, 5 days)2 × R 2,500 | R 5,000 |
| Augrabies Falls entry2 × R 120 | R 240 |
| eSIM (1 week data)2 × R 500 | R 1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | R 1,384 |
| Trip total≈ R 3,806 per person per day, bed included | R 15,224≈ US$900 |
2026 estimate in rand; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | R20–R35 |
| Meal at a casual restaurant | R80–R150 |
| Bottle of wine (local) | R80–R150 |
| Taxi (5 km) | R120–R180 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road distances are long; carry water and fuel for remote drives.
- Check flight schedules at UTN as services are limited.
Emergency numbers
- Mobile emergency
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
UpingtonUpington
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Mobile emergency112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- UTN → Upington town centre, taxi: ≈ R250–R350
- Upington → Augrabies Falls, car hire: ≈ R1 200 round‑trip fuel
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Upington. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (hot, occasional thunderstorms) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑guesthouse contract for UTN arrivals.
- Car‑rental guide with fuel‑stop map for long drives.
Sources
Ask about Upington
Loading…
Was this useful?