Last updated: 21 Oct 2025
Georgia
About
| Georgia is an old state in the Caucasus. With a beautiful coast, great mountain scenery and interesting towns, it is regarded by many as the most beautiful country on earth. Civil problems following independence after the break-up of the Soviet Union, has seen Georgia suffer, but it is now developing its tourism potential and making the full range of its attractions safely and readily accessible to travellers. Appealing accommodation for all budgets is becoming available across the country and opportunities for exploring by foot, horse or vehicle are expanding fast The capital, Tiblisi, is by far the biggest city, and has the atmosphere of an age-old Eurasian crossroads. Yet it’s also a 21st-century city with European-style nightclubs and eye-catching new architecture. |
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| Capital: | Tbilisi (TBS) |
| Currency: | Lari (GEL) |
| Language: | Georgian. Russian, Armenian, Azeri, Ossetian and Abkhazian are also spoken. English is widely spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 995 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +4 (2 hours ahead of South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best Time to Go: | May, June, September |
| Best for: | Religious Sites, Mediterranean Coastline, National Parks, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sulphur Baths |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. European-type, two-pin plugs are used. The supply of electricity can be intermittent between November and March, and visitors are advised to bring a torch with them. |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. |
| Health: | Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. Doctors will require cash payment regardless of whether you have health insurance. |
| Customs: | If visiting a church, men should wear long trousers and women should cover their heads. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Georgia is a cash society, but credit cards are increasingly accepted in restaurants and hotels. Check the local political situation before travelling to Pankisi Gorge and the separatist regions (South Ossetia, Abkhazia and the upper Kodori Valley). |
| Duty Free: | The following goods may be imported into Georgia without incurring customs duty: • 400 cigarettes or 50 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco • 4L of alcoholic beverages • Goods up to the value of GEL500 per 30 calendar days or GEL3,000 if arriving by air, up to 30kg in weight. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Prohibited or restricted imports include weapons or explosive materials, narcotics, antiques and art, plants and animals. |
| Prohibited Exports: | Authorisation is required to export art and antiques. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of Georgia, Pretoria
270A Carina Street, Waterkloof Ridge, 0181
Tel: 012 346 1831
Web: http://rsa.mfa.gov.ge
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1-2, 7, 19; Mar 3, 8; Apr 9, 18-21; May 9, 12, 17, 26; Aug 28; Oct 14; Nov 23
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1-2, 7, 19; Mar 3, 8; Apr 9-13; May 9, 12, 17, 26; Aug 28; Oct 14; Nov 23
Visa Requirements
Visas are not required by SA passport holders for visits of 1 full year.
- Passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months and please ensure that there are at least 2 blank pages in the passport.
- Travel insurance is highly recommended
Visa Information: www.geoconsul.gov.ge/en/entering-georgia
SA Representative
Representation accredited from Kyiv, Ukraine
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio |
