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Voykit pocket guide · South Africa
Secunda
Spend a half‑day in Secunda to see the Sasol refinery museum and casino; no need to stay overnight.
Secunda is a coal‑field town in Mpumalanga, known for the second Sasol oil‑from‑coal refinery and the Graceland Casino. It sits 130 km east of Johannesburg on the N17, making it a quick stop for a few hours rather than a base.
- Country
- South Africa
- Best months
- Sep–Nov, Mar–May
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (cold nights, possible frost)
- Stay
- 0 nights
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 R500–R800 excl. bed · Mid R800–R1,200 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 a café | R30–R45 |
| Meal at a casual restaurant | R80–R150 |
| Taxi (5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (3.1 mi (5 km)) | R70–R100 |
| Greyhound bus ticket (Johannesburg‑Secunda) | R300 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MQP · Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport
- about 150 km (93 mi) north of Secunda, ~2 h driveabout 93 mi (150 km) north of Secunda, ~2 h drive
Typical fares
- Greyhound Johannesburg → Secunda
- about R300, 2 h 30 min (check)
- Taxi town centre → Graceland Casino
- about R70–R100, 5 min
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
Town is compact; walk or use local taxis. The N17 highway provides road access; Greyhound buses connect from Johannesburg and Durban.
See and do
Known for
- Sasol oil‑from‑coal refinery
- Graceland Hotel Casino and Country Club
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Belfast, Mpumalanga | R35/N17 north-west by car | About 1 h |
| Mbombela (Nelspruit) | N17 east then N4, or Greyhound-style coach on the N17 corridor | About 2 h 30 min |
| Blyde River Canyon | N17 east to Graskop, then the R532 | About 3 h |
| Hazyview | N17 east, then the R40 north | About 3 h |
Sleep
- Hotel @ Secunda
- Basic accommodation near town centre
- B'n'B Secunda
- Budget guesthouse
- Secunda Hotel
- Mid‑range hotel
- Panorama Secunda
- Family‑friendly option
- La Bella Secunda Guest House
- Quiet guest house
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Verskoon myverskoon my |
| Thank you | Dankiedankie |
| How much is this? | Hoeveel kos dit?hoe-veel kos dit? |
| Can I pay by card? | Kan ek met kaart betaal?kan ek met kaart betaal? |
| Where is the toilet? | Waar is die toilet?waar is die toilet? |
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
- Winter nights can drop to -10 °C; bring warm clothing.
- Check Greyhound bus schedules for any changes (price R300–R670).
- Casino operates 24 h; verify entry fees if planning to gamble.
Secunda is generally safe in daylight; stay alert at night, especially around the casino and isolated streets.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Secunda yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Sasol oil‑from‑coal refinery
- Graceland Hotel Casino and Country Club
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: Secunda, revision 4641553 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4641553
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Secunda
Na hierdie adres, asseblief
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Mobile emergency112
South African consulates handle local assistance; US consulate is in Johannesburg (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/secunda). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.